What is Ultrasound Physiotherapy?
Ultrasound Physiotherapy – It is also an imaging test, and it is done to take images of organs and other soft tissues. Physical and occupational therapists use a tool for treatment in therapeutic ultrasound.
It bestows deep heating to tissues like joints, ligaments, tendons, etc and after the therapy, people feel energetic. It is generally used to treat some injuries and chronic pain. It is different from diagnostic ultrasound because it utilizes sound waves with high frequency to repair or liquidate the tissue.
It has the same working procedure as diagnostic ultrasound as it uses low-frequency sound waves that are safe for babies, but therapeutic ultrasound is the opposite of that. An ultrasound wand or a probe is used to send electric current via crystals, and it vibrates, forcing waves to travel through the skin and under the body. The required effects have been achieved by wave energy that is shifted to tissues. It also focuses on deep tissues without damaging the other tissues. The duration of this therapy only depends on the individual, as every individual has a different rate of healing, and it is not fixed for that individual how much time it will take, and it depends on prolonged illness or many things.
Type of Ultrasound Physiotherapy
Physical therapists use two different types of techniques, which are listed below.
Thermal ultrasound
Your physiotherapists will use this therapeutic ultrasound to increase blood circulation and provide deep heating to the body’s soft tissues. As a result, it encourages healing and a reduction in pain.
It is also done to improve the flexibility in the body and muscles so that they can regain their natural motions. The ultrasound transducer is used to heat up and vibrate the skin and the muscles.
Cavitation
When any tissue is injured in your body, then your physiotherapists might use this energy to cause deflation and diffusion of microscopic gas bubbles. This technique is known as mechanical ultrasound, and it also promotes healing. It produces a pressure difference in tissue fluids, and it is used to break down kidney stones and help eliminate them from the kidney.
Benefits of Ultrasound Physiotherapy
Ultrasound physiotherapy has many advantages that are listed below.
- 1. It helps to increase the flexibility in fibrous tissue like tendons; it provides motion to joints in the body.
- 2. It helps to destroy those scar tissues that intervene in movement and soften them.
- 3. It promotes blood circulation in the body and lowers inflammation and swelling in the body.
- 4. It also reduces pain and muscle twitches and promotes wound healing.
- 5. It is a non-invasive procedure, and you are awake during the whole thing.
- 6. It is proved that it is not harmful to the body as it is done by a professional therapist.
- 7. This therapy is considered as most safest process than others.
- 8. Reasons for ultrasound physiotherapy.
- 9. The application of ultrasound physiotherapy
- 10. It removes uterine fibroids.
- 11. Cysts and tumour treatment
- 12. It also helps in reducing development of noncancerous in the uterus
- 13. Promotes bone growth for healing fractures
- 14. It is used to destroy large gallstones and kidney stones.
- 15. Guide the dispensation of drugs to specific tissues.
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Ultrasound Physiotherapy Side Effects
This therapy has some side effects also, and that is
- 1. It can cause superficial burns on the skin.
- 2. While doing cavitation therapy can cause discomfort due to shockwaves.
- 3. Internal bleeding and scarring can be seen.
- 4. It may endanger the pregnancy, and it is not performed on menstruating women, lesions on breast sexual organs, or plastic implants.
- 5. It is not recommended to use this on the spine, eyes, pacemakers, other implants, or infectious areas.
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The price of Ultrasound Physiotherapy
It might fluctuate between 250 INR and 1500 INR per session. However, the cost of ultrasound physiotherapy may differ depending on the location, hospital, and other facilties.
Results in Ultrasound Physiotherapy
It is important for the patient’s whole recovery from any disability and joint injuries, but there is no full-proof guarantee of this. If the treatment is done with diligence, then it will help the patient in many ways. The results of this therapy are usually permanent because patients are more clear about their personal goals and expectations and also tell their therapists.
Using Ultrasound Physiotherapy at Home
Yes, it can also be done at home by a portable or home ultrasound machine. A home ultrasound machine uses pulsed ultrasonic waves, and in a doctor’s clinic, they use continuous waves. Generally, it is used to treat certain conditions like arthritis, relieving tendons, strains, and sprains. It has several benefits also, like long-term cost savings, portable therapy treatment, reduction in healing time, and it can lower inflammation also. It is very beneficial for a joint disorder like osteoarthritis, and it eases joint pain and stiffness and improves joint flexibility.
What to Expect:
You can expect that a physiotherapist will apply a special gel to that body part where treatment is required and glide the ultrasound transducer all over the area in a small circular motion, and the frequency, intensity, and depth of penetration will be identified by the intensity of the injury. It only happens once a day, and you will experience a sensation of tingling or warmth in that particular area. If you feel any discomfort, immediately tell your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ultrasound used in physiotherapy?
Ultrasound physiotherapy is used for tissue healing.
What does ultrasound do for muscles?
Ultrasound can help to relax the tight muscles that are warm, sore and soft. It helps in increasing circulation to speed up the healing process.
What are the side effects of ultrasound therapy?
The major effects that you may get after ultrasound therapy involve coagulative necrosis, mild heating, and tissue vaporization.
What are IFT and ultrasound in physiotherapy?
IFT has generally used modality in the process of physiotherapy for relieving pain, whereas ultrasound is used in the therapy for tissue healing.
What are the 3 uses of ultrasound?
Ultrasound is majorly used for studying pelvic organs, abdominal of a person, and the developing fetus.
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