Therapeutic Ultrasound
Powerful sound waves energy is used to treat a variety of ailments and conditions in our Las Vegas Chiropractic office. The benefits of therapeutic ultrasound reach far beyond the increased rate of healing beneath the skin surface. Beginning with reduction in inflammation all the way through scar breakdown.
Benefits of Therapeutic Ultrasound
- Decrease in Healing Time
- Increase in Tissue Relaxation
- Blood Flow in Increased to Treated Areas
- Scar Tissue Breaks Down
- Reduction in Local Swelling & Inflammation
A typical therapeutic ultrasound session lasts between 3 to 5 minutes. Longer sessions may be expected if pulse therapy is used rather than continual. Or when scar tissue breakdown is the goal.
Therapeutic Ultrasound Treats
- Tendonitis
- Joint swelling
- Muscle spasm
- Acute Injury
- Muscle Inflammation
- And Much More!
What is Ultrasound Therapy
Ultrasound is a therapeutic modality that has been used by physical therapists since the 1940s. Ultrasound is applied using a round-headed wand or probe that is put in direct contact with the patient’s skin. Ultrasound gel is used on all surfaces of the head in order to reduce friction and assist in the transmission of the ultrasonic waves. Therapeutic ultrasound is in the frequency range of about 0.8-3.0 MHz.
The waves are generated by a piezoelectric effect caused by the vibration of crystals within the head of the wand/probe. The sound waves that pass through the skin cause a vibration of the local tissues. This vibration or cavitation can cause a deep heating locally though usually no sensation of heat will be felt by the patient. In situations where a heating effect is not desirable, such as a fresh injury with acute inflammation, the ultrasound can be pulsed rather than continuously transmitted.
During therapeutic ultrasound treatment the head of the ultrasound probe is kept in constant motion. If kept in constant motion, the patient should feel no discomfort at all. If stopped, this can become quite hot quickly. If a patient feels more than a mild heat emitted, we ask them to tell their therapist so that the settings may be adjusted.