Ultra Sound
Ultra Sound Therapy
Ultrasound therapy is the use of sound waves to treat medical problems, especially musculo skeletal problems like inflammation from injuries (sprains, tendonitis & bursitis). Therapeutic ultrasound uses different intensities and frequencies of sound, but the basic principle is stimulation of the tissue with sound waves above the range of human hearing.
Ultrasonic waves or sound waves of a high frequency that is not audible to the human ear are produced by means of mechanical vibration in the metal treatment head of the machine. The treatment head is then moved over the surface of the skin in the region of the injury, transmitting the energy into the tissues. When sound waves come into contact with air it causes a dissipation of the waves and so a special gel is placed on the skin to ensure maximal contact between the treatment head and the surface of the skin and provides a medium.
Effects of Ultrasound
As the waves pass from the treatment head into the skin, they cause the vibration of the surrounding tissues. This increased vibration leads to the production of heat within the tissues. In most cases this cannot be felt by the patients themselves. This increase in temperature may cause an increase in the extensibility of structures, such as ligaments, tendons, scar tissue and fibrous joint capsules. In addition, heating may also help to reduce pain and muscle spasm and help promote the healing process. One of the greatest proposed benefits of ultrasound therapy is to reduce the healing time of soft tissue injuries. Ultrasound is thought to accelerate the normal resolution time by increasing blood flow following an injury.