Therapeutic Ultrasound

Therapeutic Ultrasound is a method of stimulating tissue beneath the skin's surface using sound waves. It is a very high frequency massage that can penetrate up to 5" below the surface of your skin. This very high frequency sound affects very small molecules and cells in your body and actually causes them to move.

• Ultrasound therapy increases blood flow in the treated area which speeds the healing process.
• Ultrasound Therapy reduces swelling and edema which are the main sources of pain.
• Ultrasound waves gently massage the muscles, tendons and/or ligaments in the treated area. This enhances the recovery rate of damaged tissue without adding strain, and softens any scar tissue that is usually present in an injured area.

What can be Treated with Ultrasound?

Tendon Injuries, Muscle Injuries and Ligament Injuries

Injuries to the tendons, ligaments, muscles and cartilage are treated primarily with ultrasound. Ultrasound helps to reduce swelling and edema which in turn greatly reduces the pain from the injury. The stimulated tissue and increased blood flow speed the healing process. Typically, these types of injuries are very slow to heal and because people continue to try to use the injured body part, the injury is repeatedly stressed. Regular applications of ultrasound over the duration of the healing period will significantly reduce pain and the time to heal.

Muscle Strains, Muscle Tension and Trigger Points

As a therapeutic massage device, ultrasound is very effective at reducing muscle tension. People who suffer muscle tension headaches and migraines use ultrasound on the back of the neck and across upper back (trapezius muscle). This is a very common procedure used by chiropractors for tension headache sufferers. People receiving treatments often describe the sensation as “the machine seems to suck the tension and pain right out of my head through my neck”. In reality what is happening is the ultrasound is releasing the trigger points which are VERY often the source of the pain. Trigger Point Release drains the buildup of lactic acid and other toxins in the area, increasing blood flow and bringing much needed nutrients to the muscle tissue.

Who Should Not Receive Ultrasound Treatment

Pregnancy

A pregnant woman should never receive ultrasounds for the purpose of therapeutic treatments in any part of the body close to the fetus. Ultrasound use by pregnant women could overheat the fetus, causing severe damage to its organs. This is especially true during the first trimester. Fetal exposure to ultrasound is such a major concern that  women should not get ultrasounds if they are unsure whether they are pregnant.

Circulatory Problems

It is recommended that anyone with circulatory problems, such as deep vein thrombosis or occlusive vascular disease, avoid getting ultrasound treatments on any part of the body. Because ultrasounds can speed up circulation and move blood flow to a specific area, a major problem can occur if someone with a circulatory problem had an unknown blood clot, for example, which could be moved toward the heart or the brain by use of an ultrasound.

Infections

Anyone who has an acute infection, whether in the bone or in tissue, should not receive an ultrasound, getting an ultrasound when you have an infection would increase blood flow to the infected area, which can force pus out of the infection and into the surrounding areas. This would cause the infection to spread and be perpetuated instead of healed.

Pacemakers

Anyone who has a cardiac pacemaker should not get an ultrasound in the thoracic area. An ultrasound too close to the heart could alter the speed at which the pacemaker functions, causing irregular heartbeats. Irregular heartbeats can be very dangerous, especially for people who have heart problems or pacemakers. People with pacemakers can get ultrasounds in the lower extremities, but they may want to avoid them altogether.

Ultrasound should not be used

• On areas of the brain and spinal cord
• On the eyes and genitals
• Over the lower back, abdomen and pelvic area of a pregnant woman
• On areas of bone growth (growth plates) in children and adolescents
• On areas with active cancer or tumor
• On patients with bone or tissue infection
• If patient has thrombophlebitis – an inflammation of a vein due to a blood clot
• Near or over a cardiac pacemaker
• Over the area of the carotid sinus in the neck.
• On patients with decreased or diminished sensation.
• On patients who are unable to communicate