In addition to being widely used for diagnostic purposes, ultrasound is used in medicine as a therapeutic agent. The impact of ultrasound has an analgesic and relaxing effect. In addition, it accelerates wound healing, therefore it is effective in combating inflammation of the joints of the spine, ligaments of the knee and hip joint, and muscle pain and bruises.
Sometimes, to enhance the therapeutic effect, drugs are used, which during the procedure are promptly transported directly to the pain focus.
Indications for use
Ultrasound therapy is used in the treatment of a wide variety of diseases. These are cardiovascular diseases: coronary heart disease, hypertension, and angina pectoris. Ultrasound is also used for flaccid paralysis, primary muscle atrophy, diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system, diseases of the stomach and intestines, vasospasm, cystitis, pyelonephritis, gynecological inflammation, prostatitis, diseases of the upper respiratory tract, trophic ulcers.
The most popular field of application: elimination of the consequences of injuries and treatment of diseases of the peripheral nervous system (diseases of the spine, hernia, neuritis, neuralgia, osteochondrosis, pinched nerves, myositis, myalgia) and inflammation of the joints (arthritis, epicondylitis, tendonitis, Bechterew's disease).
Ultrasound reduces the sensitivity of nerve receptors, regulates the work of the autonomic nervous system, and affects the speed of passage of nerve impulses. Therefore, there are indications for prescribing ultrasound therapy in the treatment of neuralgia, neuropathy, sciatica, multiple sclerosis, Raynaud's disease, various spinal injuries and spinal cord injuries.
Currently, ultrasound is intensively used in the field of beauty for body shaping, hardware massage procedures, peeling, and the effective elimination of defects.
Contraindications
Contraindications to ultrasound treatment are oncological diseases, pregnancy, the presence of metal implants in the area of the procedure, the condition after the implantation of a pacemaker, inflammatory processes, and general exhaustion of the body.
How is the procedure carried out
Distinguish mobile and motionless methods of treatment by ultrasound. With a mobile technique, the emitter performs slow longitudinal and circular movements. With a fixed technique, the head of the ultrasonic emitter is fixed on the area of impact with adhesive plaster. The patient's skin and the emitter surface adjacent to the skin are smeared with Vaseline. Contact of the emitter with the skin should be tight.
As a result of a session of ultrasound therapy, a rather powerful effect and deep heating of tissues occurs, although the process of converting mechanical vibrations into thermal energy is practically imperceptible for a person.
The duration of the ultrasound treatment procedure lasts from 2 to 5 minutes per area, and up to 9 minutes in the area of large joints. Up to 4 areas are treated in one session. The total duration of the ultrasound treatment procedure on several areas should not exceed 20 minutes, and when exposed to one area - 9 minutes
The number of ultrasound treatments per course is from 5 to 20, depending on the disease.
Ultrasonic vibrations, acting on the body, produce thermal, mechanical and physicochemical effects.
The result of its application is the improvement of the protective and adaptive and regenerative reactions of the body.
Ultrasound therapy is an excellent rehabilitation method that is well established and proven effective.
Since 2016 in Richmond VA RVA Physical Therapy And Sports Rehab center can help with all described conditions. To schedule a consultation or request more information about available services contact the RVA Physical Therapy team by phone at (804) 396 6753 or send an email to info@rvaphysicaltherapy.com
You can visit the therapy center at 2620 A Gaskins Rd, Henrico, VA 23238, USA.
