The Role of Ultra Sound Therapy in Physical Rehabilitation

Ultra Sound Therapy is a pain treatment that involves the use of an ultrasound machine to send harmless acoustic waves into the area of injury. Ultra Sound Therapy promotes growth of blood vessels, encourages healing and stimulates soft tissue movement. Most people are familiar with using this technology to scan their unborn babies but it has many applications when applied to musculoskeletal injuries including pain management.

An ultrasound uses a transmitter to transmit high frequency sound waves into the body and a receiver to receive the reflected waves. This information is recorded to create a real-time picture of the body’s structures. Ultrasound can tell the difference between bones, fluids, muscles and tendons, so it is a very useful tool in diagnosing musculoskeletal injuries and pain.

This noninvasive diagnostic modality allows us to see muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints in real time so that you can receive an accurate diagnosis as well as plan the most effective treatment for your condition. It’s a powerful tool for our team in providing the highest level of care and helping you get back to your normal life activities as quickly as possible.

In the treatment of soft tissue injuries, mechanical or cavitation ultrasound (US) is most commonly used by physical therapists to reduce swelling and help improve muscle mobility. It works by creating pressure differences in the tissues that result in a formation of bubbles called cavitation. These bubbles burst with the release of energy, which can be useful in breaking down scar tissue, calcifications and kidney stones and making them easier to remove.

The other way that US is used in treatment is to provide heat into the tissue. This is accomplished by placing the transducer on the skin and applying a coupling gel. This gel helps to conduct the energy of the US wave into the tissues without damaging them with friction. It also decreases the sensitivity of the skin to the US and helps minimize any discomfort.

During your musculoskeletal ultrasound appointment at Advanced Musculoskeletal Medicine Consultants, Inc. we will place the ultrasound probe on the area of injury and apply the gel to the surface of the skin. We will then move the probe in a circular motion to cover the entire area of injury. You may feel a slight warming sensation or a pulsing feeling as the ultrasound moves over your body.

There are several different FDA-approved therapeutic ultrasound techniques. During these appointments, we will vary the setting on the ultrasound machine to ensure that your specific needs are met. This will include the amount of time that the machine is on, as well as the intensity and depth of penetration. We are also able to adjust the amount of energy that is absorbed by the targeted tissue. Depending on the type of tissue, this energy can be used to break down scar tissue or to reduce inflammation.