The technology behind Ultrasound has come a long way since the 20th century. Do you know, Ultrasound was once used to visualise underwater structures after the sinking of the famous Titanic?
Historically used for external imaging during World War I, ultrasound scans were later used medically for imaging and diagnostic purposes during pregnancy and to determine musculoskeletal and neurological problems.
In this current day and age, Therapeutic Ultrasound has evolved to be used for therapeutic and healing purposes in a chiropractic care setting, to help patients reduce acute and chronic pain and improve health.
What is Therapeutic Ultrasound?
Therapeutic Ultrasound manipulates safe sound waves through crystals in the ultrasound probe (ultrasound wand) to vibrate, allowing waves or currents to travel through the skin, penetrating into the affected tissue and muscles. In a way, therapeutic ultrasound helps to focus on certain tissues deep within your body, without affecting the other areas surrounding the tissue.
Ultrasound therapy is a new-age treatment that is both non-invasive and drug-free. As such, it is quite a popular choice amongst patients looking for a more natural way to relieve their tissues, muscles or tendon aches. Many patients will show some relief after a few Ultrasound sessions.
Why would your Chiropractor recommend Ultrasound Therapy as part of your care plan?
Ultrasound works by transmitting safe sound waves into your affected area to soothe, relax, heal and even regenerate. It also helps to stimulate blood flow to decrease inflammation and swelling.
The heating benefits of Therapeutic Ultrasound also allow more lymph that carries white blood cells to pass through the affected area, which aids in fighting infections, encourages healing and removes excess fluid contained in the injury area. Overall, a few good Ultrasound therapy sessions can stimulate the repair process, aid in pain relief and promote better mobility.
A proper Ultrasound therapy session should not be painful, at most only slightly sore or sensitive in the area of injury. It can also sometimes be slightly tingly or warm. Nevertheless, some patients also reported that they feel no sensation or discomfort during the session at all, which makes Ultrasound one of the safest therapies out there in terms of chiropractic care.
What does Ultrasound therapy treat?
If you have any of these pain and/or discomfort symptoms, Ultrasound therapy may be for you
- Tendonitis
- Pain caused by scar tissue
- Sprains and strains
- Back and Neck issues
- Muscle soreness
- Ligament issues
- Osteoarthritis
- Bursitis
- Myofascial pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Sports Injury
- Fracture healing
Ultrasound therapy is most often accompanied by other treatments in a chiropractic care setting to increase the recovery rate. This may include chiropractic adjustments, stretching, strengthening and rehabilitation exercises, heat/cold therapy, and others that your chiropractor may suggest.
Is Ultrasound safe for everyone?
While Therapeutic Ultrasound has a very low risk for pain and complications, there are a few classes of individuals where Ultrasound may not be recommended.
If you have any history of blood clots, vascular abnormalities, malignant growths or acute infections, Ultrasound Therapy is not recommended.
Ultrasound Therapy should also not be used on areas like the head, testicles or near the womb of a pregnant woman. It should also not be used above the skin surface of any metal implants or pacemakers.
Beyond these few contraindications, Ultrasound therapy is an effective, drug-free, safe and proven method generally practiced by chiropractors to help reduce their patient’s overall pain levels and inflammations while helping them to increase their mobility for a better quality of life.
If you know anyone who is currently living with chronic pain or has recently suffered acute pain due to injury, consider consulting a professional chiropractor to determine if Ultrasound Therapy is right for them.
If you are curious if Ultrasound therapy can help you, give us a call to set up a consultation session, today! đŸ˜‰