Ultrasound is a specialized method of physical therapy that uses mechanical energy to promote the healing process. It can be used as a way to manage or relieve pain, treat injuries, and improve your ability to perform daily activities. If you are suffering from pain or a recent injury, ultrasound treatments may benefit you. Contact Cornerstone Physical Therapy today to find out more about our ultrasound services and how they can aid you in your recovery process.
What does an ultrasound treat?
Ultrasound treatments are vague, in the sense that they can treat a vast variety of conditions. It is not limited to one specific ailment or region of pain. Some common conditions that ultrasound helps treat include, but are not limited to:
- Arthritis
- Bursitis
- Tendinitis
- Frozen shoulder
- Muscle spasms
- Fractures
- Sprains, strains, and tears
Ultrasound treatments help to relieve pain, increase blood flow, reduce swelling and inflammation, and promote tissue healing. By doing so, it is able to successfully treat and reduce the painful symptoms of multiple conditions.
How does an ultrasound work?
The technology behind ultrasound treatments involves the use of sound waves. These sound waves are used to treat conditions affecting the muscles, ligaments, and bones by creating vibrations that generate heat. When the tissues vibrate, friction is produced at the molecular level, which causes the temperature of the tissues to increase. While heating packs can be effective in warming up an affected area, they are unable to reach the tissues in the same ways that ultrasound technology can.
When an ultrasound treatment is being conducted, our physical therapists will generously put gel on the surface of the ultrasound applicator, in order to minimize friction and promote the transmission of the sound waves. These waves are then absorbed by your tendons, ligaments, and connective tissues.
What happens in the body during an ultrasound treatment?
There are two main ways that ultrasound works to heal and repair damaged tissues in the body. The first includes the thermal energy (heat) benefits and the second includes the non-thermal benefits.
Thermal benefits:
Heat enters your deep tissues during an ultrasound treatment. The heat helps to reduce pain, increase blood circulation, and allow for an easier stretch of the muscles. The thermal energy produced during your ultrasound treatment can also loosen up tight muscles and tendons.
Non-thermal benefits:
Ultrasound technology can work in beneficial ways that are unrelated to its transfer of heat. The energy that enters the body during an ultrasound treatment creates tiny gas bubbles that gather around the tissues. These bubbles then expand and contract at a rapid pace, which is a process known as cavitation. This can help in repairing any damaged tissue, such as scar tissue or cellulite, and loosening up the muscles.
How do I know if it’ll work for me?
At Cornerstone Physical Therapy, our highly trained physical therapists will design a treatment plan for your specific needs. This could include ultrasound treatments, depending on the nature of your condition and contributing symptoms.
At your initial appointment, a physical therapist will conduct a physical exam that will help in the diagnosis of your condition and how it should be treated. Your treatment plan will also take into account your medical history and any additional health restrictions you may have.
If you are suffering from pain, don’t wait any longer. Contact us today to schedule your appointment. Cornerstone Physical Therapy will get you back to your optimum levels of physical function in no time!