Ultrasound therapy
Ultrasound therapy, also known as therapeutic ultrasound or focused ultrasound, is a non-invasive treatment method used for pain relief, improving circulation, and promoting tissue healing.
Ultrasound heats, relaxes, and makes muscles and tendons more flexible. It is advisable to apply it before physiotherapy treatment, as it significantly reduces soft tissue tension, thereby alleviating pain during exercise.
The Mechanism of Ultrasound
Inside ultrasound devices, there is a small crystal. When an electrical charge is applied to this crystal, it vibrates rapidly, generating piezoelectric waves (an electrical charge that accumulates in certain solid materials). These waves exit the ultrasonic transducer as ultrasound waves. During treatment, the ultrasound wave penetrates the damaged tissues, where it enhances blood flow and cavitation. The process where microscopic gas bubbles rapidly expand and contract around tissues due to energy is called cavitation. According to scientific literature, the expansion and contraction of these bubbles help accelerate cellular processes, leading to faster healing of damaged tissues.
Using Ultrasound
For ultrasound therapy, a transducer head resembling a microphone is used, which is capable of generating sound waves. The therapist applies a small amount of gel to the area of the body to be treated, then places the transducer connected to the ultrasound device onto the gel and moves it in small circles. The specialist adjusts the device to deliver sound waves of the required depth and intensity. Ultrasound therapy does not cause discomfort or pain. The ultrasound wave loosens cell membranes, allowing various medications and active ingredients to be delivered into the tissues, making their absorption more effective.
When is Ultrasound Therapy Recommended?
Generally, ultrasound therapy may be suitable for any soft tissue injury in the body: it has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. Specialists can use ultrasound to treat musculoskeletal conditions such as bursitis (inflammation of fluid-filled sacs around joints), tendinitis, muscle strains and ruptures, frozen shoulder, muscle sprains and ligament injuries, or joint stiffness and contracture. It is also a common complementary therapeutic method for lower back pain, neck pain, rotator cuff tear, knee meniscus rupture, or ankle sprain. It can be excellently combined with shockwave therapy, massage gun treatment, and significantly reduces the after-effects of fascia release manual therapy.
When is Ultrasound Therapy Not Recommended?
There are several situations where ultrasound therapy is not recommended or should be considered carefully. The use of ultrasound is not advised during pregnancy around the uterus, or near malignant tumors and cancerous lesions. Its use is prohibited on damaged or infected skin, or areas with rashes or eczema. If the patient uses a pacemaker, this type of treatment is not recommended on the chest area, as it may affect pacemaker function in these cases. Therapists must be cautious in cases of vascular diseases such as deep vein thrombosis, embolism, severe atherosclerosis, and certain ischemic conditions. In such cases, cells may die because blood supply cannot keep pace with the increased metabolic demands of the tissues affected by the treatment. Its use is prohibited after spinal surgeries such as laminectomy, and in special situations where an anesthetic has been used in the treated area. Its use should be considered carefully for patients who regularly take blood thinners.
In cases of a history of cancer, it can only be performed with the recommendation of an oncologist.
Book an appointment by phone
Online Appointment Booking