Therapeutic ultrasound is a noninvasive procedure that uses low-power ultrasound waves to create vibrations and/or raise the temperature of body tissue in a targeted area, providing pain relief and loosening tight muscles. The procedure can also break up scar tissue and improve circulation of blood and lymph to promote healing of the affected area. It’s typically used to treat chronic pain and minor orthopedic injuries.
Deep Heating Effects
Ultrasound can provide deep heating to soft tissue structures in the body. Deep heating tendons, muscles, or ligaments could have the following benefits:
- Increase circulation to tissues
- Speed the healing process
- Decrease pain
- Increase elasticity
How Does Ultrasound Work?
Inside the therapeutic ultrasound unit is a small crystal. When an electrical charge hits this crystal, it vibrates rapidly, creating piezoelectric waves (an electric charge that accumulates in some solid materials). These waves emit from the ultrasound sound head as ultrasound waves.
During treatment, the ultrasound wave then enters into your injured tissues. This exposure to ultrasonic waves increases blood flow and cavitation, leading to the theorized benefits of the treatment.