Therapeutic Ultrasound is used by physiotherapists to reduce pain, increase circulation and increase the mobility of soft tissues. Ultrasound therapy causes mechanical vibrations, from high-frequency sound waves, on the skin and soft tissue via an aqueous medium. It is a treatment used by physical therapists or occupational therapists to relieve pain and to promote tissue healing.
While ultrasound therapy is not effective for all chronic pain conditions, it may help reduce your pain if you have any of the following:
The type of ultrasound therapy you get depends on your condition. For myofascial pain, strains, or sprains, thermal ultrasound therapy is typical. For scar tissue or swelling, like with carpal tunnel syndrome, mechanical ultrasound may work better.
When you go in for ultrasound therapy, your therapist will select a small surface area to work on for anywhere from five to 10 minutes. A gel is applied either to the transducer head or to your skin, which helps the sound waves evenly penetrate the skin. During your ultrasound therapy treatment, your therapist will continually move the transducer head over and around the selected area.
Some people feel a mild pulsing during ultrasound therapy, while others may feel a slight warmth in the skin. Don’t be surprised, however, if you feel nothing at all, apart from the cold gel on your skin. If the area being treated is especially sensitive to touch, you could possibly feel discomfort as the transducer head passes over. Ultrasound therapy, however, should not be painful.
Ultrasound therapy should not be used on these body parts: