Ultrasound Therapy

This therapy involves the application of Ultrasound waves above that of the range of human hearing in order to treat various types of injuries. The application of Ultrasound Therapy helps in increasing the blood flow of a localized area in order to reduce the swelling and inflammation in that area. It is also used to enhance the healing of a bone fracture.

It is generally categorized into 2 types:

1. Thermal Ultrasound Therapy

• This therapy involves continuous transfer of sound waves resulting in small vibrations in the deep tissue molecules. These vibrations increases heat and friction in the molecules. This heating effect results in the increases of metabolism of the tissue cells resulting in the healing of the soft tissues.
• It is generally used in case of a Myofascial pain, or a muscle strain or sprain.

2. Mechanical Ultrasound therapy

• This therapy uses single vibration of sound waves to penetrate tissue. It actually causes the expansion and contraction in the tiny gas bubbles of the soft tissues which then helps to reduce the inflammation, reducing tissue swelling and thus decreasing pain in the tissue.
• It is generally used if you have a Scar Tissue or Swelling such as with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

The ultrasound therapy basically involves the use of metallic probe. The procedure begins with the application of gel either on the head of the probe or directly to the skin. This gel basically helps the sound waves to penetrate into the skin evenly. After the gel is applied, this probe is then continuously moved over the selected area for over 5 to 10 min.. The intensity or the power of an Ultrasound is adjusted as per the desired effect. Some people may feel a mild pulsing during this therapy while others may feel a slight warmth in the selected area.

Ultrasound Therapy have got numerous benefits as it can be used for vast range of issues.However its most commonly used for: 

1. Heating and relaxing of the muscles in order to alleviate the pain.
2. Increasing the blood flow i.e. lymph (lymph: a fluid that carries white blood cells throughout the body) to enhance the healing process not only of muscles but also joints and ligaments.
3. Softening of any existing scar tissue.
4. A low intensity Pulsed Ultrasound (LIPUS) is used for fracture repair.
5. Management of the Knee Osteoarthritis (OA)

Most common conditions that can be treated using the Ultrasound therapy are:

TENDONITIS / TENDINITIS:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

It is a general term that is used to define the inflammation of the tendon tissue that connects the muscle to the bone. This is the most common cause of soft-tissue pain. It  can occur at any age but it is more common in the adults who do a lot of sport. Old age people are also prone to it as the tendons tend to loose their elasticity and becomes weaker with age. 

Its common types are: 

• Golfer's Elbow
• Tennis Elbow
• Achilles Tendinitis 
• Jumper's Knee 
• Swimmer's Shoulder 
• Tendinitis Of Wrist 
• Trigger Finger or Thumb   

Other conditions that can be treated with the Therapeutic Ultrasound are:

• Joint Swelling
• Muscle spasm
• Muscle or ligament injury
• Sprains and Strains
• Bursitis
• Osteoarthritis
• Myofascial pain     
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Phantom Limb Pain                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Ultrasound Therapy is very low-risk, non-invasive procedure. But there are certain times where and when it should be avoided like,

1. It can not be used on the people who have cardiovascular issues.
2. It can not be used over the abdomen, pelvic regions or lower back in pregnant or menstruating women.
3. It can not be used over the broken skin or healing fractures.
4. It can not be used around the eyes, breasts or sexual organs.
5. It can not be applied over the areas with plastic implants.
6. It can not be used over or near the areas with malignant tumors.

Ultrasound Physiotherapy should not be used without prescription from a doctor / physiotherapist & administration should be done by physiotherapist unless allowed by a medical doctor .