You are probably most familiar with ultrasound being the technique used to detect pregnancy. However, in recent years, ultrasound has also begun to commonly be used therapeutically, particularly by chiropractors and practitioners offering alternatives to conventional medicine. Here’s what you need to know about ultrasound therapy and the benefits that it offers patients
What Is Ultrasound Therapy?
Ultrasound therapy is a highly effective, non-invasive treatment that can be used to treat a range of different medical problems, and in particular, those which affect the musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system comprises of the bones, muscles, ligaments, and other connective tissues within the body that help us to stand and move around.
Ultrasound therapy uses gentle soundwaves which are transmitted from the handheld device into the body. Conduction is made easier using a special gel that is placed over the area being targeted by ultrasound therapy before treatment begins. As the soundwaves pass into the skin, they create slight warmth while they stimulate the cell membranes within the body, producing a range of therapeutic effects.
Conditions That Can Be Treated Using Ultrasound Therapy
Ultrasound therapy has been shown to be successful in helping patients to achieve relief from a variety of conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, including but not limited to:
Osteoarthritis
Bursitis
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Myofascial pain
Fibromyalgia
Strain and sprain injuries
If you are unsure as to whether ultrasound therapy will be helpful in treating your issues, don’t hesitate to consult with your chiropractor for advice.
Benefits Of Ultrasound Therapy
There is a range of benefits and effects of ultrasound therapy, including the following:
Increased blood flow. By far one of the biggest effects of ultrasound therapy is an increase in blood flow. By stimulating the flow of blood around the body, ultrasound therapy can ensure that oxygen and nutrients are able to reach areas that need it most – such as those that are affected by injury or a health problem.
Faster healing. If blood flow is increased, areas that require healing can get the nutrients that they need more quickly. This improves cellular function, helping them to repair themselves more rapidly, which enables patients to heal and recover from injury faster.
Breaking down internal scar tissue. Scar tissue forms after any sort of injury. When your injury is internal, as so many musculoskeletal injuries are, the scarring also happens inside the body. When there is a great deal of scar tissue, it can cause constriction in the area and this may limit the patient’s mobility and even cause chronic discomfort.
Reduction in inflammation. Inflammation is a very common problem and particularly affects the musculoskeletal system. It occurs when the body tries to protect itself against things that harm it, such as injuries, infections, and toxins. Inflammation also occurs as it tries to fight these things and heal itself following damage that has already occurred. When inflammation is chronic, a patient experiences high levels of pain and stiffness. Fortunately, ultrasound therapy has been shown to be effective in counteracting inflammation and its associated symptoms.
Natural pain relief. Nobody likes having to take prescription pain medications, especially those patients who have conditions that cause them chronic discomfort. Ultrasound therapy is particularly popular as a type of drug-free pain relief. It does this by stimulating the release of natural pain-relieving substances like endorphins. This can reduce or eliminate a patient’s reliance on pain medications.
For more information on the benefits of ultrasound therapy, don’t hesitate to speak to our friendly chiropractic team.
HELPFUL ARTICLES
- Corrective Exercises
- Chiropractic Care for Kids
- Chiropractic Senior Care
- Acupuncture
- Holistic Treatments
- Chiropractic Care for Ear Infections
- Work Related Injuries
- Physiotherapy Treatments
- Therapeutic Adjustments
- Cranial Facial Release
- Spinal & Postural Screenings
- Massage Therapy
- Chiropractic Adjustments
- Chiropractic FAQ’s
- Common Myths About Chiropractic Care
- What to Expect at Your First Chiropractic Visit
- Choosing the Right Chiropractor for You
- Candidates for Chiropractic Care
- Methods of Chiropractic Care
- The Importance of Regular Chiropractic Visits
- Chiropractic Care – Overview
- Benefits of Chiropractic Care