If you were on treatment with a physiotherapistor a chiropractor, you may have been given an ultrasound treatment. This general method is used in the initial stages of treating sports injuries, soft tissues, injuries from accidents, or pain from arthritis and other joint diseases. It can be used for joint as well as muscular pain. Its effectiveness can vary from patient to patient.
Apparatus for ultrasound therapy consists ofconsole, where you can adjust the intensity of treatment, and the probe through which ultrasound is transmitted. In the application to the machine a special gel is provided, which is rubbed into the upper part of the skin to ensure the passage of sound waves. The device produces high-frequency sound waves (too high for the human ear, so we do not hear them), which are transmitted to the human body through a probe. Sound waves penetrate deep into tissues and muscles and create a sensation of tingling or gentle heat. The doctor can combine with the gel anti-inflammatory drugs. Sound waves promote the penetration of drugs into tissues, which also reduces pain and inflammation.
Sound waves created by ultrasonicapparatus, cause the tissues to vibrate, which creates a sense of heat. Heat, in turn, stimulates the expansion of blood vessels, which contributes to the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients to this area. Increased blood flow also helps to remove waste products from the cells.
Ultrasound therapy, of course, is not a panacea for all chronic pain conditions, but it can help reduce pain if you have:
- arthrosis;
- myofascial pain;
- pain caused by scar tissue;
- phantom pain;
- stretching.
In addition, ultrasound is used in cosmetology. It helps to get rid of:
- acne;
- freckles;
- excess fat;
- fine wrinkles.
Also improves skin condition in general.
There are two main types of therapeutic ultrasound: thermal and mechanical. They differ in the speed with which the signal passes through the tissue:
- thermal ultrasound therapy usescontinuous transmission of sound waves that cause vibrations of molecules in deep tissues, which creates a sense of heat. The thermal effect in the treatment of soft tissues increases the metabolism in them;
- mechanical ultrasound therapy usesultrasonic pulses. Although a slight sensation of heat also appears, it also causes the expansion and contraction of small gas bubbles in the soft tissues. This reduces the inflammatory response, swelling of the tissues and pain. Such therapy is considered safe if it is licensed, and if the therapist keeps the sensor head in constant motion.
Ultrasound therapy: contraindications
It should not be used on such parts of the body:
- in the abdominal cavity, pelvis or lower back in women who are pregnant or during menstruation;
- large skin injuries or fracture healing;
- around the eyes, chest or genitals;
- in areas with implants;
- next to malignant tumors;
- in areas with poor sensitivity or blood flow.
In addition, ultrasound therapycontraindicated for people with pacemakers, diseases of the cardiovascular system, acute infections, in pregnancy, severe lesions of the central nervous system, tuberculosis, bleeding.
If, however, you do not feel better after several sessions, ask the attending physician to choose another treatment for you.
