Whenever someone hears the term “ultrasound,” the first thing that comes to mind is an ultrasound pregnancy test. Most people are introduced to ultrasound machines during pregnancy checkups. This must be why most people think that ultrasound machines are just a tool to generate images of the womb or other organs inside the body.
Yes, ultrasound machines do generate images, but it can be used as a treatment tool as well. Occupational therapists sometimes use ultrasound to treat body pain.
Learn about ultrasound therapy and how it is beneficial to your health.
What is Ultrasound Therapy?
Ultrasound physical therapy is not the same as diagnostic ultrasound therapy.
Diagnostic ultrasound therapy is used to see what is happening inside your body, whereas ultrasound physical therapy is all about treating chronic body pain during physical therapy sessions. The process includes providing deep heat to the soft tissue in the body.
These tissues can include:
- Muscles
- Tendons
- Ligaments
- Joints
How Does Ultrasound Therapy Work?
The ultrasound machine sends an electric current through the crystal located at the probe of the machine. The probe vibrates and creates waves, transferring energy to the cells to cause the desired effect. If necessary, ultrasound machines can be focused to target tissue within your body without affecting other tissues.
It’s used for chronic pains. With just 10 minutes of massage, it may relieve any body pain. But before you rely entirely on this form of therapy and start looking at ultrasound machines for sale, be aware that it is only part of a treatment plan. Your physical therapist may include exercises, stretches and other activities to treat your chronic pain.
How Ultrasound Therapy is Beneficial for Our Health?
Ultrasound therapy has yet to undergo wide clinical research to determine its efficacy. But the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it for use by licensed professionals.
As such, it’s become a popular option for improving functionality and managing pain.
What else is this medical technology used for?
1. Relax Tissue Tension
According to WHO, musculoskeletal is the second largest contributor to disabilities worldwide. When your muscles are damaged in an accident, musculoskeletal pain occurs. Sometimes this pain is unbearable.
Ultrasound physical therapy gives the tissue a deep heatwave that reduces tissue tension. This helps the blood flow efficiently and takes care of any internal inflammation.
2. Increase Blood Flow
Enhancing your body’s blood flow is always a good method to keep your body healthy. Not only does it reduce inflammation, but it also manages arthritis.
If you have any fresh injury with acute inflammation, treating it with ultrasound physical therapy may be able to reduce the pain.
Ultrasound machines generate heat waves via electrical signals to activate your body and boost blood flow.
3. Breakdown Scar Tissues
When the ultrasound machine’s probe vibrates, it creates acoustic effects. These tiny vibrations may not be enough to make you feel anything happening under the skin but are powerful enough to affect the fiber that causes the scar tissue to form.
The micro-vibration breaks down the scar tissue and helps increase the range of motion. Furthermore, it helps you maintain the long-range motion for longer relief.
4. Treat Chronic Pain
Excerpts believe that ultrasound physical therapy is effective for any chronic pain. According to experts, ultrasound waves improve extensibility and circulation, leading to increased mobility and decreased pain.
Although ultrasound therapy may not work for everyone to treat chronic pain, it is still worth trying.
FAQS
If you have any further doubts or queries, get the answers to these most common concerns or book a consultation with a physical or occupational therapist.
Q1: Is Ultrasound Effective for Therapy?
Therapeutic ultrasound therapy belongs to the most frequently and widely used electrophysical agents. Although it already has been 60 years, the effectiveness of ultrasound treatment for soft tissue lesions, musculoskeletal injuries, and pain remains questionable.
Q2: How Often Should You Use Ultrasound Therapy?
When it comes to ultrasound therapy, therapists usually go for 6 to 12 sessions. Therapists may do that for 5 minutes initially; then they may increase and go twice in a week for 3 to 6 weeks.
Is Ultrasound Therapy Safe?
Ultrasound therapy is considered safe by the USA’s FDA. However, the therapy needs to be performed by a licensed person, and the patient keeps moving their head all the time.
If you wonder why the transducer needs to keep moving its head, the reason is simple – to ensure no potential burns underneath.
Warning: Ultrasound shouldn’t be used by a person who has a pacemaker.
