Therapeutic Ultrasound
Therapeutic ultrasound is a treatment method used by chiropractors to address various conditions. This therapy uses high-frequency sound waves (which can’t be heard by the human ear) to stimulate soft tissues, reduce pain and tightness, and support healing. Unlike diagnostic ultrasound, which is used to capture images inside the body for diagnosis and monitoring, therapeutic ultrasound is focused on treatment.
Therapeutic ultrasound promotes relaxation of soft tissues and enhances local blood flow, which helps reduce inflammation and swelling. It is particularly effective when applied to ligaments, tendons, fascia (connective tissue covering the muscles), and joint capsules. Ultrasonic vibration also assists in breaking down scar tissue.
Types of Therapeutic Ultrasound
There are two types of therapeutic ultrasound: thermal (deep heating) and mechanical (non-thermal). The thermal type of therapeutic ultrasound delivers heat to soft tissues such as muscles, ligaments, and tendons using continuous sound waves. This heat helps increase blood flow to these tissues, supporting the healing process—and the treatment can reduce pain by helping to improve movement and flexibility within the tissues.
The non-thermal (mechanical) form of therapeutic ultrasound uses alternating frequencies to create tiny gas bubbles around soft tissues in the targeted area. These bubbles interact with cell membranes to facilitate the healing of injured ligaments, tendons, or muscles. It is believed that non-thermal ultrasound treatments enhance healing by accelerating biological processes.
Common Conditions Treated by Therapeutic Ultrasound
While therapeutic ultrasound can be used to treat several different conditions, it should be avoided with certain medical conditions and is not recommended for use over growing or fractured bones, numb areas of the body or cancerous tissues. In addition, the treatment should not be used on pregnant women, over sexual organs and breasts, over any open wounds or skin lesions, around the eyes, or near metal or electrical implants or pacemakers.
Why See a Chiropractor for Therapeutic Ultrasound?
There’s no reason to suffer from pain when a licensed chiropractor can help you find relief. If you’re dealing with a soft tissue injury or a condition affecting your musculoskeletal health, adding therapeutic ultrasound to your treatment plan might provide relief and speed up recovery. At our chiropractic clinic, we will examine you to identify the root cause of your condition, and once diagnosed, your treatment options will be discussed. If you’re a good candidate for it, ultrasound therapy could be one of those options to support your healing.