CHIROPRACTIC ULTRASOUND THERAPY

Ultrasound therapy is a medical treatment used most often by chiropractic physicians, physical therapists, or occupational therapists to treat and manage pain, promote tissue healing and injury recovery.

Some common conditions of chiropractic ultrasound therapy are used to treat include - Muscle pain (myofascial pain.)

• Joint pain.
• Osteoarthritis.
• Sprains and strains.
• Back pain.
• Neck pain.
• Whiplash injuries.
• Degenerative disc disease.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Tendinitis.
• Overuse injuries, such as golfers and tennis elbow.

The history of ultrasound therapy

Ultrasound therapy became popular around World War II when sonar systems were being built. It was discovered that the ultrasonic waves could be used to heat and kill fish. Researchers then started investigating its heating and healing effects. Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists then began using it as a treatment modality in the 1940s.

How does chiropractic ultrasound therapy work?

Ultrasound therapy causes a gentle ultrasonic vibrational massage, or heating of the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. A gel is placed over the skin well the head of the ultrasound moves in tiny circles. This gel is used to reduce friction and assist in the transmission of the ultrasonic waves.

There are basically two types of ultrasound therapy, thermal and mechanical. Both therapies are designed to penetrate the muscle fascia and soft tissues in the body. The only difference being the rate at which the ultrasound waves penetrate the body.

Thermal ultrasound therapy uses a more continuous transmission of ultrasonic waves, which increases deep heat in the body, which causes a warming up of tissues caused by the ultrasonic heat waves. This encourages healing by increasing the metabolism of the injured cells and tissues.

Mechanical ultrasound therapy uses intermittent pulses of ultrasonic waves to penetrate the body's muscle, fascia, and tissues. This has less of a warming effect but causes expansion and contraction of the tissues. This helps decrease inflammation, reduce swelling, and decrease pain while increasing recovery time from injuries.

What does ultrasonic ultrasound therapy feel like?

You may feel slight warming and heating of your muscles and skin, and there should be no pain felt.

Is ultrasound chiropractic therapy safe?

Ultrasound chiropractic therapy has been deemed safe by the FDA, provided it's performed by a licensed healthcare professional. Ultrasound therapy should not be performed over

• Areas of unknown cancer or tumor
• Over lesions or open wounds
• Healing fractures
• Over the abdominal region of pregnant women
• Over any areas of plastic implants

What are the benefits of ultrasound chiropractic therapy?

Ultrasound therapy speeds up the healing process by increasing blood flow and vasodilation to the affected area. Ultrasound therapy reduces edema and swelling inflammation, which causes a decrease in pain in the affected area

Will ultrasound chiropractic therapy work for me?

Like any other treatment or pain medications, you will need to find the right frequency, duration, and intensity of ultrasound therapy that works for your condition(s). There should be a trial and error period initially as you start ultrasound therapy. If you have not shown improvement after 2-4 weeks make sure to ask your doctor about trying something else.

Is chiropractic ultrasound therapy expensive, or covered by my insurance?

Fortunately, most major medical insurance companies cover chiropractic ultrasound therapy. For patients dealing with injuries, chronic pain, or who are concerned about the long term side effects of opiates and NSAIDS medications, ultrasound therapy offers significant potential benefits without potentially harmful side effects, when administered in a clinical setting.

In health,

Jeffrey S. Gerdes, D.C.