Ultrasound therapy is the use of sound waves to treat medical problems, and in particular, those conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system. It is a technique that is increasingly being offered by chiropractors who realize the benefits that it can offer patients.

 

What is Ultrasound Therapy and How Does it Work?

Ultrasound therapy is an innovative new treatment that is completely non-invasive and drug-free, making it a popular choice among patients who are looking for a more natural way to alleviate the symptoms that they are experiencing. 

Most people know of ultrasound as a way to diagnose and monitor pregnancy. However, it has many other applications including healing and regeneration. Ultrasound therapy in chiropractic care is used to stimulate blood flow, which in turn helps to decrease inflammation, increase tissue relaxation, and break down any internal scar tissue so that patients can enjoy greater mobility. This process also speeds up the rate of healing of any musculoskeletal injuries that the patient may have and may even promote bone fracture healing. One of the main ways in which ultrasound therapy helps is that it helps to reduce the patient’s discomfort in a completely natural way. This is done through the increased blood flow which stimulates the release of endorphins, whilst the reduction in inflammation also helps to counteract pain. 

Ultrasound therapy is carried out in much the same way as you would expect it to be used on an expectant mother. Once you are comfortable, your chiropractor will apply a special conductive gel to the handheld device which will then be placed onto the target area. This gel helps the soundwaves to be conducted more effectively. As they pass into the skin, the waves will cause vibrations and you may experience some slight warmth and tingling, but this shouldn’t be painful. As the sound waves hit the deeper tissues of your body, they stimulate cell membranes which creates the therapeutic response. 

 

What Conditions can Ultrasound Therapy be Used to Treat?

Ultrasound therapy has been found to be successful in the treatment of a variety of a number of different conditions. These include, but are not limited to:

Osteoarthritis: This condition is characterized by the degeneration of the joints and occurs when the protective cartilage that covers and protects the ends of the bones wears down over time.  

Myofascial pain: This condition affects the connective tissue that covers the muscles and is extremely painful. 

Bursitis: This painful condition that affects the small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion the bones, tendons, and muscles near your joints. 

Carpal tunnel syndrome: This is a very common condition that causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the fingers, hands, wrists, and lower arms. It occurs when there is pressure placed onto the median nerve which is the pain nerve that travels down the arms into the hands. 

Strains and sprains: These are extremely common injuries that can occur as a result of repetitive use of a joint, or due to a slip, trip, or fall. 

If you would like to find out more about ultrasound therapy, including whether or not it may be a useful treatment for your condition, please contact our office in Midlothian, VA  where our knowledgeable team would be happy to help.