Ultrasound therapy is considered a deep heating modality. It is a form of acoustic propagated in the form of a longitudinal compression wave at a high frequency not be heard by the human ear. Soundwave of Ultrasound Therapy from 20Hz to 2000Hz is within the audible range are called the ultrasonic wave. Ultrasound therapy usually treats musculoskeletal problems like inflammation from injuries such as sprains, tendinitis, bursitis.
There are many forms of therapeutic ultrasound, applying different intensities and frequencies of sound, but the basic principle of “stimulating” or provoking tissue with sound waves above the range of human hearing.
Wavelength of Ultrasound Therapy: 0.15cm
Frequency of Ultrasound Therapy: 1mHz or 3mHz
Intensity of Ultrasound Therapy
- Low intensity- 0.3watt/cm²
- Medium intensity- 0.3-1.2watt/cm²
- High intensity- 1.2-3watt/cm²
Indication of Ultrasound Therapy
We have used ultrasound therapy in relation to tissue healing. The application of ultrasound therapy to injured tissues to speed up the rate of healing & enhances the quality of the repair.
- Adhesion formation
- Pain and muscle spasms
- Haematoma
- Capsulitis
- Joint stiffness
- Scar tissue
- Calcified tendinitis
- Swelling
Contraindication of Ultrasound Therapy
It seems ultrasound therapy safe by the FDA provided it is performed by a licensed therapist keeps the transducer head moving at all times. If the transducer head persists in one place for a long time, it is possible to burn the tissues underneath, which you may not feel.We should not use ultrasound therapy on these body parts:
- Tuberculosis of lungs or bone
- Tumour
- Pregnant uterus
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Anaesthetic area
- Haemophilia
- Reproductive organ
- Acute infection
- Brain and spinal cord
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Physiological Effect of Ultrasound Therapy
The physiological effects of ultrasound therapy are almost the same as Pulsed Shortwave and Laser therapy. The key difference is that ultrasound energy is preferentially absorbed in different tissues such as ligament, tendon, fascia, scar tissue and joint capsules.
Mechanical effect-
- Lossing the tissue by doing micro-massage.
- Vasodilation.
Thermal effect-
- Vasodilation
- Increase venous drainage
- Wash out pain
Biological effect-
- Blood circulation
- Membrane permeability
- Muscle relaxation
- Normalization of muscle and bone.
Danger of Ultrasound Therapy
Despite its medicinal and therapeutic benefits, there are side effects of ultrasonic therapy. The general practice of ultrasound therapy is safe and effective, but there have been minor cases of physical pain because of cavitation. Described as a burning feeling, cavitation may occur by the heating of the gas in tissue cell nuclei. This can induce difficulty breathing, dizziness, nausea, and sometimes disorientation.
- Erythema
- Burn
- Cavitation
- Overdosages
- Damage of apparatus
