What is ultrasound therapy?
Ultrasound, which most people know as the imaging technique used during pregnancy, has multiple usages and applications besides checking on babies in the womb, including many physiotherapy procedures. Ultrasound physical therapy is a branch of ultrasound that is used to detect and treat various tissue problems, as well as for pain reduction.
Ultrasound therapy has been a therapeutic tool used by physiotherapists for a long time. It has become fully integrated and widely accepted as an easily available, straightforward, and uncomplicated type of electrotherapy. It’s commonly used to treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, ranging from acute injuries to chronic pain and post-surgical rehabilitation.
How does ultrasound therapy work?
Ultrasound therapy utilizes the application of high-frequency sound waves (typically 1-3 MHz) to the different body parts. The treating physiotherapist uses a small hand-held device called an ultrasound probe, which emits sound waves that penetrate the skin and tissues, creating a deep heating effect or mechanical vibrations, depending on ultrasound machine settings. This process can have therapeutic effects on the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissues of the body.
There are two main types of ultrasound used in physiotherapy:
- Thermal Ultrasound: This treatment utilizes sound waves to generate heat within the tissue. Heat increases blood flow, accelerates the healing process, and can relieve pain and muscle tension.
- Mechanical (Non-Thermal) Ultrasound: This uses sound waves to produce vibrations that create mechanical pressure on the tissues. It’s primarily used for its healing effects, such as promoting cell repair, reducing inflammation, and increasing the absorption of medications when combined with phonophoresis (the use of ultrasound to deliver topical medications).
What are the benefits of ultrasound physiotherapy?
Ultrasound has many benefits for patients undergoing physiotherapy and can help in multiple ways to shorten recovery times. Here some of the benefits of this technique:
Regenerative & analgesic effects
The thermal effect – or heating sensation- of ultrasound leads to enhanced blood circulation, which in turn leads to increased delivery of oxygen and additional nutrients to injured tissues, helping in pain relief and better and quicker recovery. It also promotes cellular activity through collagen production stimulation and faster cell repair, both extremely important in the healing of soft tissue problems like tendonitis, ligament sprains, and muscle tears.
Reduced spasm & inflammation
Not only does ultrasound therapy tighten the circulation of blood, but it also enhances tissue temperature which facilitates relaxing muscles that might be tight or even spasming. This is remarkably useful for anyone suffering from muscle strains or even from having chronically tight muscles. By encouraging fluid movement within the tissues, ultrasound therapy helps to reduce swelling and inflammation. This can be especially helpful in the acute phase of an injury, when swelling and inflammation are the primary sources of pain and dysfunction.
Tissue Remodeling and Faster Post-surgery Recovery
Ultrasound therapy can help to break down and remodel scar tissues and adhesions that might form after an injury or surgery. Adhesions, in particular, can be detrimental to the post-surgical recovery process as they can lead to complications like bowel obstruction, which might require the patient to be admitted back into the hospital. By applying mechanical pressure, ultrasound waves can stimulate the softening and realignment of collagen fibers, leading to improved tissue flexibility and function.
Supplementary Therapy
Ultrasound therapy is an easy, straightforward, and effective way to complement other physiotherapy treatments, such as exercise therapy, vibration therapy, and other rehabilitation programs. Some research has shown adding ultrasound therapy will increase the effectiveness of such interventions and boost their combined treatment results.
Who Can Benefit From Ultrasound Therapy?
Those suffering from the following conditions can benefit from asking their physiotherapist about ultrasound therapy:
- Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles tendonitis, rotator cuff tendonitis)
- Bursitis (inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joints)
- Sprains and strains (e.g., ankle sprains, muscle strains)
- Chronic pain conditions (e.g., fibromyalgia, arthritis)
- Post-surgical rehabilitation (e.g., following knee, hip, or shoulder surgery)
- Plantar fasciitis (heel pain)
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Ligament injuries and joint pain
- Frozen shoulderT
- Trigger points (muscle knots)
What does an ultrasound therapy session look like?
An ultrasound therapy session is quick and typically lasts between 5 to 10 minutes. Here’s what the process generally looks like:
First: An initial assessment
A licensed physiotherapist will start by doing an initial assessment to identify your problems and what is it that you’re trying to solve. Then, they will formulate a treatment plan that best suits your needs and incorporates ultrasound therapy.
Second: Gel application
The physical therapist will rub ultrasound gel over the areas to be treated. This will help the ultrasound waves penetrate deeper, so the treatment session will be a lot more efficient.
Third: Ultrasound application
The physiotherapist will move the probe of an ultrasound machine gently over the areas that need to be treated. The resultant heat and vibration will help improve the blood flow and healing process.
Fourth: Post-therapy regimen
The physiotherapist will prescribe a post-session exercise like certain stretches to help your muscles stay relaxed and for better results post the session itself as keeping the muscles active helps to improve blood circulation even further.
Who wouldn’t benefit from ultrasound physiotherapy?
Ultrasound physiotherapy is generally considered safe for most people. But before you go into a session, we suggest you consult your general practitioner or family doctor as well in addition to the physiotherapist consultation.
Pregnant women should generally avoid having ultrasound therapy over the abdomen and the back. Also, those with an active infection or wound should avoid sessions over those areas as it might delay the healing or cause further damage.
Although ultrasound therapy is highly effective and useful, it shouldn’t be overused or used alone as monotherapy as excessive use can lead to a paradoxical effect- namely further tissue damage.
In conclusion, whether you’re recovering from an injury, looking to manage a chronic pain, or trying to improve your mobility, ultrasound physiotherapy offers a non-invasive and safe treatment option to support your recovery and help you return to a pain-free, active life.
If you’re dealing with pain or injury, it’s worth discussing ultrasound therapy with one of our DHA-licensed home physiotherapists to see if it’s the right treatment for you and get a special discount on your first physiotherapy at home session! Call 050 873 8150 or WhatsApp the same number to book your home physiotherapy session.