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Ultrasound Therapy uses a transducer to produce sound waves that penetrate soft tissue. The sound waves transmitted will cause microscopic vibrations in deep tissue that heat and relax the muscles. The vibrations transmitted also aid in the breakdown of scar tissue, and increases blood flow to the targeted area.(1)
The main effects of Ultrasound Therapy are:
- Optimising the inflammatory response to reduce localised swelling or chronic inflammation(2)
- Aiding in effective tissue repair
- Promoting bone fracture healing(3)
- Pain relief (4)
- Production of new blood vessels
- Increasing blood flow and oxygen to cells
- Stimulates synthesis of new proteins and DNA for cell regeneration
(1) Papadopoulos, E.S. and Mani, R. (2020). The Role of Ultrasound Therapy in the Management of Musculoskeletal Soft Tissue Pain. The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds, p.153473462094834. doi:10.1177/1534734620948343.(2) Xu, M., Wang, L., Wu, S., Dong, Y., Chen, X., Wang, S., Li, X. and Zou, C. (2021). Review on experimental study and clinical application of low- intensity pulsed ultrasound in inflammation. Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and Surgery, 11(1), pp.443–462. doi:10.21037/qims-20-680.(3) de Oliveira Perrucini, P.D., Poli-Frederico, R.C., de Almeida Pires-Oliveira, D.A., Dragonetti Bertin, L., Beltrão Pires, F., Shimoya-Bittencourt, W., Martins Santos, V., Medeiros Coelho, J. and Franco de Oliveira, R. (2019). Anti-Inflammatory and Healing Effects of Pulsed Ultrasound Therapy on Fibroblasts. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 99(1), pp.19–25. doi:10.1097/phm.0000000000001265.(4) Liu, Y., Wang, Y., Wang, Y. and Jia, X. (2021). A Meta‐Analysis of Analgesic Effect of Ultrasound Therapy for Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis. Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine. doi:10.1002/jum.15866.
Ultrasound Therapy is most suitable for the following conditions:
- Degenerative diseases of the spine and joints
- Contractures of the fascia, ligaments and muscles
- Sciatica
- Chronic inflammation
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Tissue damage
- Bone callus
- Cramps
- Pain
- Scars
- Lymphoedema
- Inflammation
- Rheumatism
- Sudeck atrophy
- Tissue damage
- Calcaneal Spur
FAQs:
1. Is this treatment painful?
Some people feel a mild pulsing or warming sensation during treatment. Overall, Ultrasound therapy is non-invasive and thus, most patients don’t feel any sensations apart from a cool gel.
2. Is the procedure safe, and if any, what are the side effects?
Ultrasound therapy is a low risk, non-invasive procedure and therefore regarded as a safe technique. Ultrasound therapy should not be used around the eyes, heart or sexual organs.
3. Who may not be suited to this treatment?
- Pregnant patients
- Unsuitable for people with malignant growths
- Should not be used in areas with implanted medical devices
- Coagulation Disorders
4. How does Ultrasound Biofeedback differ from Ultrasound Therapy?
Both services use the same type of sound waves (Ultrasound), and in both services, the muscles will reflect or absorb the sound waves (dependent on frequency and intensity. When the sound waves are absorbed, this allows the therapeutic aspects of soundwaves to work, however when they are reflected, we can capture the reflected waves and display the results as a real-time image.
5. How can Ultrasound Therapy help with my Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis primarily causes chronic pain, inflammation, swelling and stiffness in joints. Research has shown that when high frequency ultrasound waves bounce off muscles, tissues and joints, there was a reduction pf pain and inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. When ultrasound therapy was performed on the wrist, it was found that patients had increased grip strength, increased flexion, decreased morning stiffness, reduced number of swollen joints, and reduced number of painful joints. (5) (6)
(5) J. Hawkes, G. Care, J. S. Dixon, H. A. Bird & V. Wright (1986) A comparison of three different physiotherapy treatments for rheumatoid arthritis of the hands, Physiotherapy Practice, 2:4, 155-160, DOI: 10.3109/09593988609037744(6) Liu, Y., Wang, Y., Wang, Y. and Jia, X. (2021). A Meta‐Analysis of Analgesic Effect of Ultrasound Therapy for Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis. Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine. doi:10.1002/jum.15866.