Ultrasound

What is therapeutic ultrasound?

Ultrasound technology uses sound waves that penetrate beneath your skin to your deeper tissues. Diagnostic ultrasounds use these waves to create pictures of the inside of your body. 

But sound waves can also have a therapeutic effect on your muscles and other internal structures. Physical therapists and other providers use therapeutic ultrasound to relieve pain and promote tissue recovery when addressing musculoskeletal injuries. 

Which conditions can benefit from ultrasound therapy?

Therapeutic ultrasound can address chronic pain and support rehabilitation after an injury. Some of the conditions that the experienced providers at Arundel Medical Group can treat with ultrasound include:

• Neck pain
• Back pain
• Shoulder pain
• Tendonitis
• Muscle strains
• Ligament sprains

Your provider at Arundel Medical Group may recommend ultrasound therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Your personalized plan may also include spinal compression, physical therapy, interferential electric stimulation therapy, chiropractic care, and other treatment options for optimal pain relief and tissue healing.

How does therapeutic ultrasound work?

Ultrasound therapy uses sound waves to address pain by delivering energy that provides deep heating to internal tissue. This increases circulation, which provides nutrients and clears inflammation to promote tissue repair and increase flexibility. 

The skilled team at Arundel Medical Group also uses ultrasound in combination with topical anti-inflammatory medications. This technique, known as phonophoresis, helps the medication to penetrate the layers of your skin to reach the tissue underneath. This offers a more significant reduction of inflammation for enhanced pain relief.

What happens during a therapeutic ultrasound treatment?

During your ultrasound therapy session, you relax comfortably with the skin of the target area exposed. Your caring provider begins by applying ultrasound gel to the area. If you’re receiving phonophoresis, your provider applies the medication to your skin before applying ultrasound gel.

Next, your provider slowly moves the ultrasound tool across the target area. Ultrasound therapy isn’t uncomfortable, but you may feel a slight tingling sensation as the sound waves penetrate the site of your injury.

Ultrasound treatments usually take 10 minutes or less to complete. You can return to normal activities right after your procedure.

To learn more about how ultrasound technology offers safe, medication-free pain relief, schedule a consultation at Arundel Medical Group, Inc. Call the office today to book your appointment or request one online.