Ultrasound Therapy

Pain Relief from a "Magic" Wand

While the name may usually be associated with checking on unborn babies, ultrasound therapy is used to promote healing for people with sprains, strains and muscle pains. Using high-frequency sound waves to produce heat, ultrasound therapy reduces pain.

Often, Dr. Thomas recommends ultrasound therapy in conjunction with moist heat or cold, electrical stimulation, chiropractic adjustments, muscle stripping or IDD Therapy®.

How does it help? If you had a sprained ankle and elevated it, kept off it; your ankle would heal in about six weeks. With ultrasound therapy, your sprained ankle would heal in two weeks. That's the difference between missing most of a season and getting back in the game.

Ultrasound therapy works by speeding the metabolism, and improving circulation to an injured muscle. It helps break up scar tissue and adhesions, and decreases swelling. This is a very non-invasive way to help the body heal naturally.

When used on someone with back pain, it's also effective in bringing healing to the muscles and bones. Ultrasound therapy is conducted using gel and a technician who moves the wand, over the affected area. In most cases this is a painless process. Patients usually just feel a bit of heat in the treated area.

Ultrasound therapy does carry a risk for burn, and should only be carried out under the supervision of a doctor or physical therapist by an experienced technician.