Ultrasound
What Is Ultrasound therapy?
Ultrasound therapy has been used by physiotherapists since the 1950’s and remains a popular and evidenced intervention for a variety of injuries. It is the same technology as the ultrasound that is used to scan babies but in this case there is no image being taken, it is just the therapeutic effect of the sound wave that is being utilised.
It is a form of mechanical energy that uses high frequency sound waves to stimulate the healing process within the body. In other words it speeds up the healing of soft tissues such as muscles and ligaments.
How does Ultrasound work?
When tissue is exposed to ultrasound, the sound waves cause a micro-vibration within the tissue. This vibration creates heat energy that increases blood flow to the area. This increased blood flow causes an increase in oxygen and chemicals that are essential for healing of the damaged tissue.
As well as increasing blood flow, ultrasound has the additional effect of speeding up the transport of chemicals from the blood into the damaged tissue to aid the healing of the tissue. This helps with building of new tissue and also helps to ensure the proper alignment of the tissue fibres to ensure full strength and flexibility is restored.
The end result is that ultrasound helps the body to heal and build new tissue in the quickest and most effective way possible.
What Should I Expect?
The body area being treated needs to be exposed and an aqueous gel is applied to the region. The ultrasound probe then stays in contact with the gel, gently massaging the area until the treatment time is over. A treatment session usually lasts between 5 and 10 minutes.
What injuries do we use ultrasound for?
Ultrasound is most effective when used for soft tissue injuries including:
Muscle strains
Plantar fasciitis
Scar tissue adhesions
Bruising and contusion
Depending on the intensity settings it can be a very useful treatment adjunct in acute injuries as well as chronic long-term injuries, helping us to make a quick and full recovery.
Will It Hurt?
Ultrasound therapy shouldn’t hurt. If anything it feels soothing as the probe massages over the area being treated.
How Many Sessions Will I Need And How Much Will It Cost?
Ultrasound is usually used as part of a range of treatments rather than as a standalone treatment. For example with Achilles tendinitis, the tendon might be massaged and stretched before ultrasound is applied. The number of sessions needed will be specific to the injury being treated.