What is Ultrasound Therapy
Ultrasound therapy is a treatment method that uses ultrasound technology or sound waves to stimulate damaged body tissues. Although it has long been used in medicine for various purposes, ultrasound technology is known more as an examination tool than as a therapeutic tool. One of the less well-known therapeutic advantages of ultrasound is the treatment of muscle injuries. Therefore, ultrasound therapy is often used in the treatment of musculoskeletal and sports injuries.
The successful use of ultrasound technology as a therapeutic tool depends on its ability to stimulate the tissue under the skin using high-frequency sound waves, ranging from 800,000 Hz – 2,000,000 Hz. The healing effect of ultrasound was first discovered around 1940 as we quote from the article in bocoran slot mudah menang blogs. Initially, this therapy was only used by physical and occupational therapists. However, nowadays the use of ultrasound therapy has spread to other branches of medical science.
Who Should Undergo Ultrasound Therapy and Expected Results
Currently, ultrasound therapy is more widely used in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries. Patients who can use ultrasound technology as musculoskeletal therapy are those who suffer from the following diseases:
- Plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the plantar fascia in the heel)
- tennis elbow
- Pain in the lower back
- Temporomandibular disease
- Sprained ligaments
- Tense muscles
- Tendonitis (inflammation of the tendon)
- Joint inflammation
- Metatarsalgia (inflammation of the metatarsal joints on the soles of the feet)
- Facet joint irritation
- Collision syndrome (impingement syndrome)
- Bursitis (inflammation of the bursa/joint fluid sac)
- Osteoarthritis (calcification of joints)
- Wound tissue
- Rheumatoid arthritis
However, depending on how and how much ultrasound therapy is used, it can also be used to treat serious and chronic diseases such as cancer. Types of ultrasound therapy methods include:
- Lithotripsy (to destroy stones in the urinary tract)
- cancer therapy
- Administration of drugs on target with ultrasound
- High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)
- Administration of drugs by trans-dermal ultrasound
- Stopping bleeding (hemostasis) with ultrasound
- Ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis
Once emitted on the part of the body that requires treatment, ultrasound technology will cause two main effects: thermal and non-thermal. Thermal effects are caused by absorption of sound waves into the body’s delicate tissues, while non-thermal effects are caused by microstreaming, acoustic streaming, and cavitation, or by vibrating tissue causing microscopic bubbles to form.
How Ultrasound Therapy Works
Ultrasound therapy has many levels, depending on the frequency and intensity of the sounds used. This high level of diversity is very beneficial for therapeutic tools because the therapist can adjust the intensity of therapy to suit the disease being treated. But basically ultrasound therapy works by using sound waves which when emitted to certain parts of the body can increase the temperature of damaged body tissues.
For musculoskeletal treatment, ultrasound therapy works in three ways:
- Speeds up the healing process by improving blood flow to the affected body part.
- Heals inflammation and edema (fluid accumulation), thereby reducing pain.
- Soften wound tissue
Ultrasound therapy may also be used to:
- Destroys foreign substance deposits in the body, such as calculus deposits, e.g. kidney stones and gallstones; when it has been broken down into smaller pieces, it can be removed from the body safely and easily
- Increase the absorption process and the success of the drug in certain parts of the body, e.g. ensure that chemotherapy drugs hit the right brain cancer cells
- Removes dirt build-up when cleaning teeth
- Assist with liposuction, e.g. liposuction with the help of ultrasound
- Assist in sclerotherapy or endovenous laser treatment, which can be used as non-surgical methods of varicose removal
- Triggers teeth or bone to regrow (only when using low-intensity ultrasound pulses)
- Removes the blood-brain barrier so that the drug can be absorbed by the body properly
- Works with antibiotics to destroy bacteria
To benefit from this therapy, ultrasound must be transmitted to the skin of the damaged body part using a transducer or device specially designed for this therapy. When sound waves have been emitted, they are absorbed by the body’s delicate tissues, such as ligaments, tendons, and fascia.
Look also: Thyroid ultrasound technique.