Ultrasound For Pain Relief & Healing

Ultrasound or ultrasonics refers to acoustic vibrations above those that can be perceived by the human ear. These vibrations can penetrate deep into tissues to relieve pain and promote healing. For decades, it has been a commonly used therapeutic method in physical therapeutics.

These ultrasonic machines have been quite large, consisting of a high frequency generator and an applicator or sound head. Fortunately, technology has produced a small portable unit that is affordable and can be used at home effectively, thus avoiding costly office visits.

How Does An Ultrasound Machine Work?

Electric oscillations produced by the generator cause a transducer to vibrate and generate ultrasonic waves. The waves produced travel at at speeds up to millions of cycles per second. The process is one of transforming electrical energy into mechanical energy due to surface pressure.

How Does This Help With Pain Relief & Healing?

It is known that the high frequency pith of a forceful singer can shatter glass. The high frequencies of ultrasound, when directed into human tissue can cause certain tissue substances to disintegrate at the molecular level. This in turn produces biochemical changes.

Heat

Heat is generated within tissues, especially at the surface boundaries due to cellular resistance or friction. This increases blood flow, metabolic rate, membrane permeability, temporarily blocks nerve fibers, alters spinal reflexes and relaxes muscle spasms.

Massage

A deep penetrating, high frequency, fine vibration action is produced within the tissues by ultrasonic waves. This unique massage is highly therapeutic and cannot be achieved by tradition manual massage methods.

Healing Scar Tissue

Ultrasound tends to break down the collagen fibers of scar tissue by acting on what is called the interstitial cement and can soften scar tissue, which is not as resilient as normal tissue, reducing the tone of the tissue causing relaxation.

Clearing Agent

Chemical effects can increase gaseous exchange and liquefaction of accumulated cellular gels, increasing oxidation. Ultrasonic waves cause exudates and precipitates to be absorbed and with pulsing can reduce edema or inflammation.

Reduce Tissue Deposits

In a process known as micro destruction, ultrasound tends to disrupt tissue deposits like calcifications seen in spurs and hematomas.

Pain Relief

Ultrasonics can trigger enkephalin formation which is a chemical involved in regulating pain sensation in the body. They bind to the body’s opioid receptors and produce a mild sedative effect.

Common Uses

There are many benefits to using ultrasonic therapy. Some of the more common conditions treated are: bursitis, fibrositis, joint contractures, muscle pain, nerve pain, arthritis, scars, sprains, strains, tendinitis and trigger points.

With the advent of technology, ultrasound can now be used safely, cost effective, and easily at home for beneficial relief of common painful conditions like arthritis and muscle pain, as well as promoting healing.