Ultrasound and Longwave Therapy
Therapeutic
ultrasound is a treatment modality that has been used by therapists over the
last 50 years to treat soft tissue injuries. Ultrasonic waves (sound waves of a
high frequency) are produced by means of mechanical vibration of the metal
treatment head of the ultrasound machine. This treatment head is then moved
over the surface of the skin in the region of the injury. 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.
1MHz and 3MHz Ultrasound and Longwave Therapy
Some Indications for the Use of Therapeutic Ultrasound
1. Pain Relief
2. Reduction in muscle spasm
3. Increase in collagen elasticity or extensibility
4. Increase in blood flow
5. Increase in soft tissue elasticity
6. Enzyme activity increase
7. Mild inflammatory response which can help resolve chronic inflammatory processes
General Conditions for the use of Ultrasound as an Adjunctive Therapy
Some of the general conditions for which ultrasound has been used as an adjunctive therapy are as follows:
1. Increase range of motion on contracted joints using heat and stretch techniques
2. Treatment of chronic bursitis and tenosynovitis
3. Chronic arthritis
4. Back pain from lumbago, sciatica, spondylitis and others, has been successfully treated with ultrasound
5. Postoperative pain and pain from intercostal neuralgia have been reduced using therapeutic ultrasound
Combination Therapy
The application of two therapeutic modalities at the same time, and at the same site, is described as combination therapy. The most widely used combinations are those of ultrasound with some form of nerve and muscle stimulating current (e.g. ultrasound and interferential).