Ultrasound (US) is a form of MECHANICAL energy. Mechanical vibration at increasing frequencies is known as sound energy. The normal human sound range is from 16Hz to something approaching 15-20,000 Hz (in children and young adults). Beyond this upper limit, the mechanical vibration is known as ULTRASOUND. The frequencies used in therapy are typically between 1.0 and 3.0 MHz (1MHz = 1 million cycles per second).
Non-thermal effects: Ultrasound introduces energy into the body that causes microscopic gas bubbles around the tissues to expand and contract rapidly. The expansion help speed cellular processes & improves healing of the tissue.
Deep heating effects: Ultrasound is often used to provide deep heating to soft tissue structures in the body. Deep heating tendons, muscles or ligaments increases circulation to those tissues, which is thought to help the healing process. Increasing tissue temperature with ultrasound is also used to help decrease pain. Deep heating can be used to increase the “stretchiness” of muscles and tendons that may be tight.
Common Injuries
Soft tissue injuries
Muscle spasm
Tendonitis
Myositis ossificans
Chronic connective tissue and joint dysfunction
Nerve entrapments
Tensosynovitis
Osteoarthritis
Plantar warts
Periarthritis
Ganglia
Bursitis
Chronic sprains / strains