Ultrasound Treatment

What is ultrasound treatment?

Ultrasound is a type of treatment that provides heat to deep tissues. A special machine is used that sends out sound waves at a high frequency. These sound waves are too high to be heard by human ears. A piece of equipment called a transducer sends out these sound waves into your skin. The sound waves generate heat as they go deep into your muscles and soft tissue. The deep heat causes changes in the injured tissue and helps it heal.

When is ultrasound used?

Ultrasound treatment is used for chronic muscle, overuse, and soft tissue injuries. It is used on deep soft tissue, muscle bruises, and scar tissue. Often it is used along with a physical therapy program of stretches and exercises. Your healthcare provider will usually schedule an ultrasound treatment for you. They may refer you to a physical therapist to do the therapy.

How do I prepare for having an ultrasound treatment?

Ultrasound treatments are done at outpatient offices or in a training room. Before having an ultrasound treatment it is best to do a warm-up exercise (break a sweat). Also, stretch the muscles and soft tissues around the area having the treatment.

What happens during the ultrasound treatment?

A trained person should give the ultrasound treatment. Usually this is a certified athletic trainer or physical therapist.

First, a coupling medium is applied to the skin. This is usually a water-soluble gel. The ultrasound device is turned on to the correct setting. The transducer is put on to the gel on the skin. The therapist moves the transducer in slow even movements. This evenly spreads the deep heat and energy. The therapy normally lasts for 10 to 15 minutes.

What happens after the ultrasound treatment?

After the ultrasound treatment is finished the gel is wiped off your skin. You should again stretch the muscle and soft tissue of the treated area. This takes advantage of the improved elasticity of the tissue.

What are the benefits of ultrasound treatment?

Common advantages of ultrasound treatment include:

• increased blood flow to injured area
• increased tissue healing
• increase tissue elasticity
• decreased pain in injured area
• decreased inflammation
• decreased scar tissue.

Ultrasound treatment on injured soft tissue may lead to faster recovery, quicker return to activities, and less pain.

What are the risks associated with the ultrasound treatment?

Complications from ultrasound treatment are rare. However, some risks of ultrasound are:

• soft tissue burns
• bone burns
• bleeding problems
• increased swelling.

Pregnant women should not have this kind of ultrasound treatment. Also, there are some parts of the body on which ultrasound should not be used:

• bone growth plates
• body parts with metal implants
• areas with a lot of fluid such as the ears, eyes, brain, testes, and spinal cord
• reproductive organs.

There are other times when extreme caution and care must be used:

• When areas are treated that are numb or anesthetized. When areas are numb it is easier to burn soft tissue, because you cannot feel the pain.
• When areas are treated that have poor circulation.