How does ultrasound therapy work?
The physiotherapist first applies a special ultrasound gel to the area of the body to be treated. This creates an optimal connection between the skin and the ultrasound probe – even small layers of air between the probe and the body surface would prevent the transmission of the ultrasound waves. Alternatively, ultrasound treatment can also be carried out in a water bath.
During treatment, the therapist moves the transducer over the area of the body to be treated. The sound waves are emitted from the device either continuously (constant sound) or in pulses (pulsed sound). They penetrate up to five centimetres deep into the tissue. Ultrasound treatment also results in a so-called micro-massage.
A special form of ultrasound therapy is ultraphonophoresis, in which, for example, anti-inflammatory medication is introduced into the body via ultrasound waves.
When can ultrasound therapy be helpful?
The sound waves are particularly effective where tendons and bones meet, for example. Bones reflect the sound waves more strongly than the surrounding tissue and heat is generated. This is why ultrasound therapy is primarily used for the following complaints and illnesses:
- Injury to ligaments, tendons and bursae
- Bone wall formation (periostosis)
- superficial arthrosis (joint wear and tear)
- Delayed bone healing after fractures
- Soft tissue injuries due to accidents (contusions, sprains)
- spinal syndrome (collective term for acute or chronic pain that is usually triggered by muscles, intervertebral discs and/or vertebral joints and is associated with functional disorders in the spine – possibly involving the arms and/or legs)
- rheumatic diseases
- chronic inflammatory diseases
Ultrasound therapy is usually used as a complementary measure, for example in combination with physiotherapy.
The effectiveness of ultrasound therapy has not yet been sufficiently proven for many areas of application. Further studies are therefore necessary.
What are the risks of ultrasound therapy?
Although ultrasound is very easy to dose, there are some risks. In the event of an overdose, tissue can die (necrosis). If you feel pain during or after ultrasound therapy, please inform your therapist immediately.
When and where should ultrasound therapy not be carried out?
- Acute infections, infectious diseases and febrile conditions
- Inflammation of superficial veins with clot formation (thrombophlebitis)
- Occlusion of deep veins by a blood clot (phlebothombosis, also known as deep vein thrombosis)
- Pathologically increased tendency to bleed (haemorrhagic diathesis)
- “smoker’s leg” (peripheral arterial occlusive disease) with severity grade 3 or 4
- Skin changes (especially inflammatory changes)
- unexplained tumors
- proven arteriosclerosis (“hardening of the arteries”)
The area above laminectomy scars (laminectomy = surgical removal of parts of the bony vertebral bodies) is also taboo for ultrasound therapy. The same applies to the heart region within a radius of 30 to 40 centimeters in people who wear a pacemaker.
In addition, there are organs and tissues that must not be treated with ultrasound, for example the testicles and eyeballs. In the case of pregnant women, ultrasound therapy must also not be carried out in the area of the uterus.
