Therapeutic ultrasound: A Compliment to Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation

Therapeutic ultrasound produces acoustic vibrations of high frequency (not detectable by human ear) that produce thermal and/or nonthermal effects in the body’s tissues.

Indication For use of Therapeutic Ultrasound

• Soft Tissue Shortening – restoring Range of movement lost from contracture and/or scar tissue
• Soft tissue healing and repair
• Diminish pain – increased blood flow that washes away metabolic waste products/chemical irritants that cause pain
• Musculoskeletal conditions (carpal tunnel, nerve entrapment, TMJ dysfunction)
• Ligament sprains, muscle/tendon strains
• Trigger points – desensitisation
• Muscle spasms – heated tissues have increased blood flow → eliminates chemical irritants, alters nerve conduction speed and relaxes muscle tension (e.g., IT Band tightness)

Contraindications For use of Therpeutic Ultrasound

• Acute and post conditions with continued bleeding
• Over reproductive organs (a gravid uterus) – could potentially damage developing fetus
• Cancer – a local exposure may contribute to metastasing from increased blood flow
• Over eyes – could cause cavitation in the fluid compartments
• Impaired arterial circulation – sufficiently healthy to meet the increased metabolic demand
• Over spinal cord after laminectomy – cavitation may occur in the cerebrospinal fluid
• Over pacemaker or carotid sinus – could affect normal pacing of heart or baroreceptors
• Thrombophlebitis – potential to cause an emboli
• Presence of infection – heat could accelerate infection

Precautions For use of Therpeutic Ultrasound

Over epiphyses of bones of young children – in high doses may disrupt growth by affecting early closure.

• Over metal implants- potential to heat implant
• Over areas of impaired sensory – could hinder patient feedback on excessive heating
• Excessive exposure to bony prominences – to avoid concentration on periosteum

• Only use intensities considered therapeutically safe – to avoid cavitation and the potential for tissue damage

We can incorporate this into an Osteopathic treatment or stand-alone treatment.

We are ready when you are

Twin Rivers Osteopathy offers a wide range of Osteopathic services & treatments covering back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, headaches, upper back pain, sports injuries, work-related injuries and ergonomic assessment.