Side effects of the treatment | Ultrasound in physical therapy

Side effects of the treatment

Overall, ultrasound is considered a very low side effect method. After many years of experience in the diagnostic field, no side effects have been found. However, when used in the context of physical therapy, side effects may occur due to the actually desired effects.

Increased blood circulation and heat development can have dangerous consequences. For this reason, ultrasound therapy should not be used in the presence of infections, febrile infections, inflammations or blood coagulation disorders. Otherwise, the therapy could lead to an expansion of the infection or inflammation.

If coagulation is disturbed, there is a risk that blood clots could form or come loose under therapy and thus possibly trigger a heart attack or stroke. Care should also be taken in the presence of a tumor disease. Finally, the effects of ultrasound in this case could on the one hand increase the inflammatory process and on the other hand also contribute to metastasis.

Ultrasound therapy should also be avoided in cases of arterial or venous disease.Since the warming effect of ultrasound is particularly strong at the bone boundaries, it can also cause slight burns on the periosteum due to heat development, which can be very painful. In principle, the ultrasound waves can also cause cell destruction and minor bleeding into the surrounding tissue. Therefore, ultrasound therapy should only be used when really necessary!

Costs of an ultrasound treatment

Treatment with the ultrasound device does not represent a service of the statutory health insurance companies. The private health insurance companies usually cover the costs. The prices set vary greatly from provider to provider.

In addition, different methods are often distinguished, which are then also reflected in the price. In some practices it is possible to do the therapy yourself, which makes the whole thing a bit cheaper. Depending on the area of application, costs for the care products and active ingredients used must be included in addition to the actual ultrasound treatment.

The price for the treatment itself is usually about 15 € per 15-20 minutes of therapy. Usually 10-12 sessions are scheduled, usually several times a week. In the case of more protracted complaints, it can also be useful to borrow an ultrasound machine for the treatment and thus be able to carry out the therapy yourself on a daily basis. The costs here are about 15 € per day.