Does ultrasound therapy really work?
Unfortunately — although there are some interesting exceptions and tantalizing hopes for some conditions — ultrasound is not a promising therapy for most of the painful problems it is used for. There is a jarring, bizarre lack of quality research for such a popular, mainstream therapy. What little research is available paints a bland picture.
What is the purpose of ultrasound therapy?
Ultrasound physical therapy has many advantages:
- The procedure is generally painless and easy to do. ...
- Therapeutic ultrasound has no known harmful effects when done right by your therapist.
- The therapy will help alleviate body pain in the affected areas.
- Ultrasound physical therapy is noninvasive; hence, it's safer than other methods.
What is ultrasound therapy used for?
What is ultrasound therapy? US has been used in physical and occupational therapy to promote healing, decrease pain, reduce swelling, remodel scar tissue, and decrease inflammation. Unlike traditional methods, therapeutic Ultrasound uses acoustic energy with modified frequencies to restore and heal soft tissues.
How does ultrasound therapy work?
- Osteoarthritis
- Myofascial pain
- Bursitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tendonitis
- Pain caused by scar tissue
- Phantom limb pain
- Sprains and strains
What is ultrasound used to treat?
Therapeutic ultrasound is often used for treating chronic pain and promoting tissue healing. It may be recommended if you experience any of the following conditions: carpal tunnel syndrome. shoulder pain, including frozen shoulder.
How is ultrasound therapy performed?
How does Ultrasound Therapy Work? Ultrasound waves are administered through use of a wand place directly on the patient's skin, generally using a protective gel. Treatment times for any one area is generally between 3 and 5 minutes.
What are the side effects of ultrasound therapy?
Depending on the temperature gradients, the effects from ultrasound exposure can include mild heating, coagulative necrosis, tissue vaporization, or all three. Ultrasonic cavitation and gas body activation are closely related mechanisms which depend on the rarefactional pressure amplitude of ultrasound waves.
How does ultrasound therapy reduce inflammation?
The heating and relaxing benefits help to alleviate muscle pain, while the increased flow to the affected area will mean that more lymph passes through. Lymph is a clear fluid that carries white blood cells throughout our body, which fights infection, encourages healing, and removes excess fluid.
How often should you do ultrasound therapy?
According to Rosenzweig, “Therapists use ultrasound anywhere from six to 12 sessions – it's part of the patient's therapy, so therapists might do it for five minutes, then perhaps twice a week anywhere from thee weeks to six weeks.
Does ultrasound help nerve pain?
Ultrasound therapy has been shown to be very effective in resolving inflammation and reducing pain, while promoting more rapid healing. Ultrasound therapy works by two mechanisms: thermal and mechanical.
Is ultrasound good for arthritis?
Ultrasound therapy can be useful in repair cartilage damage caused by arthritis. A study (Low Intensity Ultrasound as a Supporter of Cartilage Regeneration...) found that ultrasound therapy allows oxygen to be delivered to the injured tissue of the joints facilitating tissue repair.
Can ultrasound damage organs?
There have been no reported cases of adverse reactions from the performance of medical ultrasounds on humans (Orenstein 2011). As recently as December 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that there is a lack of evidence of any harm due to ultrasound imaging (FDA 2014).
What does ultrasound therapy do to the soft tissue in the body?
Tissue Healing Ultrasound's deep heat is thought to have a healing effect on deep tissues and can increase the metabolism of soft tissue cells. In addition, these cells often become more receptive to healing fluids, which are present in the increased blood flow generated by ultrasound.
Can you see inflammation on ultrasound?
Ultrasound imaging can detect inflammation in your joints, even if you don't have noticeable symptoms. This can help your doctor form an accurate picture of your condition and provide more effective and targeted treatment.
Who uses ultrasound therapy?
Ultrasound therapy is a treatment used by physical therapists or occupational therapists to relieve pain and to promote tissue healing. While ultrasound therapy is not effective for all chronic pain conditions, it may help reduce your pain if you have any of the following: Osteoarthritis. Myofascial pain syndrome.
Can an ultrasound pick up scar tissue?
Ultrasound allows imaging of minimal scar formation, early detection of myositis ossificans and cysts, and dynamic evaluation of small muscle hernias.
Why is ultrasound therapy used?
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. 1.
What is the most common condition that can be treated with ultrasound?
The most common conditions that can be treated using 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.
What is the depth of penetration of an ultrasound beam?
Depth of penetration and intensity of the ultrasonic beam is the division of the beam into a near and a far-field. The near and far-fields arise because the wavefronts from different parts of the source have to travel different distances and consequently there is interference between adjacent fronts. At some points, the interference is constructive at other points the interference is destructive. The extent of the near field is of significance in that it is more intense than the far-field and may have a more profound effect in the treatment of certain conditions. The frequency of the ultrasound and radius of the transducer may need to be considered when treating tissues at a depth greater than 6.5cm.
How does ultrasound work?
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.
What is the effect of a cylindrical ultrasonic beam?
The overall effect of these two is such that the ultrasonic beam is reduced in intensity the deeper it passes.
What is the purpose of a low intensity pulsed ultrasound?
Softening of any existing scar tissue. A low-intensity Pulsed Ultrasound (LIPUS) is used for fracture repair.
How does mechanical ultrasound work?
Mechanical Ultrasound therapy. This therapy uses single the 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.
What is ultrasound therapy?
Ultrasound Therapy. Ultrasound therapy has been used as an electrotherapy treatment modality by therapists over the last 50 years.It involves passing high frequency sound waves into soft tissue.
Why is ultrasound therapy important?
One of the greatest proposed benefits of ultrasound therapy is that it is thought to reduce the healing time of certain soft tissue injuries. Ultrasound is thought to accelerate the normal resolution time of the inflammatory process by attracting more mast cells to the site of injury.
How are ultrasound waves produced?
Ultrasonic waves or sound waves of a high frequency that is not audible to the human ear are produced by means of mechanical vibration in the metal treatment head of the ultrasound machine. The treatment head is then moved over the surface of the skin in the region of the injury transmitting the energy into the tissues.
How does ultrasound affect collagen?
As the ultrasound waves pass from the treatment head into the skin they cause the vibration of the surrounding tissues, particularly those that contain collagen. This increased vibration leads to the production of heat within the tissue. In most cases, this cannot be felt by the patient themselves. This increase in temperature may cause an increase in the extensibility of structures such as ligaments, tendons, scar tissue, and fibrous joint capsules. In addition, heating may also help to reduce pain and muscle spasm and promote the healing process.
Why do you put ultrasound gel on your skin?
When sound waves come into contact with air it causes a dissipation of the waves, and so a special ultrasound gel is placed on the skin to ensure maximal contact between the treatment head and the surface of the skin and to provide a medium through with the sound waves can travel. Ultrasound can also be applied underwater which is also a medium ...
How long does it take for an ultrasonic to work?
This is moved continuously over the skin for approximately 3-5 mins. Treatments may be repeated 1-2 times daily in more acute injuries and less frequently in chronic cases.
Does ultrasound help with scar tissue?
Hence ultrasound may accelerate the proliferative phase of tissue healing. It is thought to improve the extensibility of mature collagen and so can have a positive effect on fibrous scar tissue which may form after an injury.
What is therapeutic ultrasound?
Bottom Line. Therapeutic ultrasound is a treatment modality often used in physical therapy. It has been used historically to improve circulation and tissue healing, but research has called into question its efficacy.
How does ultrasound work?
How Ultrasound Works. Therapeutic ultrasound is a treatment that has been used in physical therapy clinics for over 50 years. It provides heat to injured body parts that lie deep within your body that cannot be heated with a standard hot pack alone . Ultrasound is also thought to improve cellular function by making microscopic gas bubbles ...
Why do you need ultrasound for bursitis?
If you have an injury such as bursitis, tendonitis, or arthritis you may require physical therapy to help decrease pain and improve function. Your physical therapist may choose to apply therapeutic ultrasound to your injured body part as part of your rehabilitation program.
What is the grade of ultrasound for shoulder pain?
A 2001 review of studies for treatments for shoulder pain gave ultrasound a grade of “A” (benefit demonstrated) for the use of ultrasound in the treatment of one specific shoulder condition. This was for the treatment of calcific tendinitis in the shoulder.
Is ultrasound a treatment modality?
Ultrasound may be a treatment modality that you are exposed to during your physical therapy treatments. Research calls into question its efficacy, so if your PT does use it, be sure to understand the goals of treatment and the necessity of the treatment.
Can you use ultrasound in physical therapy?
Still, it is commonly used and you may come across it if you go to physical therapy, so you should have some idea about what it is and what it can (and can’t) do. If your PT decides to use ultrasound as part of your rehab program, you may wish to question if it is absolutely necessary for you.
Can ultrasound be used on cancer?
There are some instances where ultrasound should absolutely not be used, such as over body parts with cancer and in young children, but for the most part, it can be used safely to heat-injured parts of your body.
Ultrasound Waves
FREQUENCY – the number of times a particle experiences a complete compression/rarefaction cycle in 1 second. Typically 1 or 3 MHz.
Ultrasound Waveform
The Ultrasound beam is not uniform and changes in its nature with distance from the transducer. The US beam nearest the treatment head is called the NEAR field, the INTERFERENCE field or the Frenzel zone. The behaviour of the US in this field is far from regular, with areas of significant interference.
Thermal Effects of US
In thermal mode, US will be most effective in heating the dense collagenous tissues and will require a relatively high intensity, preferably in continuous mode to achieve this effect.
What is therapeutic ultrasound?
Therapeutic ultrasound is a treatment modality commonly used in physical therapy. It is used to provide deep heating to soft tissues in the body. These tissues include muscles, tendons, joints, and ligaments.
Why is ultrasound used in the body?
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.
How does ultrasound work?
Ultrasound is performed with a machine that has an ultrasound transducer (sound head). A small amount of gel is applied to the particular body part; then your physical therapist slowly moves the sound head in a small circular direction on your body.
What are the contraindications for ultrasound?
There are some instances where you should not use ultrasound at all. These contraindications to ultrasound may include: 1 Over open wounds 2 Over metastatic lesions or any active area of cancer 3 Over areas of decreased sensation 4 Over parts of the body with metal implants, like in a total knee replacement of lumbar fusion 5 Near or over a pacemaker 6 Pregnancy 7 Around the eyes, breasts, or sexual organs 8 Over fractured bones 9 Near or over an implanted electrical stimulation device 10 Over active epiphyses in children 11 Over an area of acute infection
Is ultrasound a passive treatment?
Many people argue that ultrasound can have a negative effect on your physical therapy by needlessly prolonging your care. Ultrasound is a passive treatment .
Can ultrasound be used for rotator cuff tears?
Generally speaking, any soft-tissue injury in the body may be a candidate for ultrasound therapy. Your physical therapist may use ultrasound for low back pain, neck pain, rota tor cuff te ars, knee meniscus tears, or ankle sprains.
Can a physical therapist use ultrasound?
Your physical therapist may use ultrasound to help improve your condition. If so, be sure to ask about the need for ultrasound and possible risks. Also, be sure that you are also performing an active self-care exercise program in the PT clinic and at home. If you are actively engaged in your rehabilitation, you can ensure that you have a safe and rapid recovery back to normal function.
Why do we use ultrasound?
But, it's most commonly used to solve problems in muscle tissue. The heating effect of the ultrasound helps to heal muscle pain and reduces chronic inflammation. . Ultrasound also helps tissue fluids flow better — which means that more lymph passes through the tissues.
What is thermal ultrasound?
Thermal ultrasound therapy is used to treat stretch pain, soft tissue pain, and other musculoskeletal issues. It can also be adapted to treat advanced issues like uterine fibroids, prostate cancer, and skin problems. .
How does ultrasound work?
How Ultrasound Physical Therapy Works. The ultrasound machine works by sending an electric current through crystals found in the ultrasound probe — also known as the ultrasound wand. The probe vibrates, causing waves to travel through the skin to the body underneath. The waves transfer energy to the tissues to cause the desired effects.
What is ultrasound in 2021?
Medically Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on June 23, 2021. Ultrasound — or ultrasonography — is an imaging technique used not just during pregnancy but also for many medical procedures. Ultrasound physical therapy is a branch of ultrasound, alongside diagnostic ultrasound and pregnancy imaging. It's used to detect and treat various musculoskeletal ...
What determines how ultrasound physical therapy is done?
The frequency and intensity of the ultrasound, the duration of the procedure, and the area of its application all determine how ultrasound physical therapy is done.
Why is ultrasound not used in physical therapy?
Therapeutic ultrasound is not used for problems near a pregnant woman’s womb because it could put the pregnancy at risk. It's also generally not used over the spine, eyes, pacemakers, other implants, and areas with active infections. Benefits of Ultrasound Physical Therapy. Ultrasound physical therapy has many advantages:
Is ultrasound painless?
The procedure is generally painless and easy to do. You'll be awake during the whole process without the need for anesthetics or pain relievers. Therapeutic ultrasound has no known harmful effects when done right by your therapist. The therapy will help alleviate body pain in the affected areas.
What is therapeutic ultrasound?
Therapeutic ultrasound is a tool in wide use by physical therapists. If it is offered to you as part of your treatment, it should always be part of an overall treatment plan that includes exercise, stretches, or other focused activities.
What is ultrasound used for?
This is diagnostic ultrasound used to capture images of organs and other soft tissues.
Why do physical therapists use ultrasound?
Your physical therapist (PT) might use therapeutic ultrasound to provide deep heating to soft tissue to increase blood circulation to those tissues. This could, theoretically, promote healing and decrease pain.
What conditions can a physical therapist treat with ultrasound?
It may be recommended if you experience any of the following conditions: carpal tunnel syndrome. shoulder pain, including frozen shoulder. tendonitis. ligament injuries. joint tightness. Physical therapists use therapeutic ultrasound in two different ways:
How long does a PT transducer last?
Depending on your specific condition, your PT may adjust the depth of penetration of the waves. Commonly the treatment lasts 5 to 10 minutes, and it’s typically not performed more than once per day.
Can ultrasound be used for heat?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of therapeutic ultrasound by licensed professionals. It has the potential to produce harm if the heat is left in the same place too long. If, while being treated, you feel discomfort, alert your PT right away.
Can ultrasound cause microplosion?
One potential risk with therapeutic ultrasound is that the rapid pressure changes during cavitation could cause a “microplosion” and damage cellular activity. This is unlikely to occur in most uses of the treatment.
Difference and Similarities Between Ultrasound Therapy and Shockwave Therapy
It’s important to understand the differences between these two methods of treatment. That’s so that you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy is an acoustic wave of energy with the goal of repairing and restoring tissues, bones, and tendons.
Benefits of Shockwave Therapy
The benefits of shockwave therapy are backed by science and its effectiveness has been proven by many research studies.
What Can Shockwave Therapy Treat?
The many uses of shockwave therapy have a positive impact on several conditions. Though it’s also an ideal choice for recovery after an injury, such as those sustained while playing sports.
What Is Ultrasound Therapy?
One of the goals of ultrasound therapy is to find and treat conditions causing pain and muscles spasms. It’s also used to treat tissue injuries.
Benefits of Ultrasound Therapy
Much like shockwave therapy, one of the primary benefits of ultrasound technology is that it can be very precise and target very specific parts of the body.
What Can Ultrasound Therapy Treat?
Ultrasound technology is versatile and the two methods open up a wide range of conditions that it can treat. One is to restore mobility and reduce pain after an injury.
Overview
A type of imaging test to examine the internal organs using very high frequency sound waves.
Type: Imaging
Duration: About an hour
Results available: Within an hour
Conditions it may diagnose: Pregnancy · Surgery · Benign prostatic hyperplasia · Acute kidney injury · Adenomyosis of the uterus and more
Is Invasive: Noninvasive
Type: Imaging
Duration: About an hour
Results available: Within an hour
Conditions it may diagnose: Pregnancy · Surgery · Benign prostatic hyperplasia · Acute kidney injury · Adenomyosis of the uterus and more
Is Invasive: Noninvasive
Ability to confirm condition: Moderate
Ability to rule out condition: Moderate
Why It's Done
Risks
How You Prepare
What You Can Expect
- Ultrasound is used for many reasons, including to: 1. View the uterus and ovaries during pregnancy and monitor the developing baby's health 2. Diagnose gallbladder disease 3. Evaluate blood flow 4. Guide a needle for biopsy or tumor treatment 5. Examine a breast lump 6. Check your thyroid gland 7. Detect genital and prostate problems 8. Assess joint inflammation (synoviti…
Results
- Diagnostic ultrasound is a safe procedure that uses low-power sound waves. There are no known risks. Ultrasound is a valuable tool, but it has limitations. Sound doesn't travel well through air or bone, so ultrasound isn't effective at imaging body parts that have gas in them or are hidden by bone, such as the lungs or head. To view these areas, your doctor may order other imaging tests…
Clinical Trials
- Most ultrasound exams require no preparation. However, there are a few exceptions: 1. For some scans, such as a gallbladder ultrasound, your doctor may ask that you not eat or drink for certain period of time before the exam. 2. Others, such as a pelvic ultrasound, may require a full bladder. Your doctor will let you know how much water you need to drink before the exam. Do not urinat…