Chiropractors and massage therapists use therapeutic ultrasound massage to stimulate soft tissue beneath the skin's surface. The technique of ultrasonic massage uses high frequency sound waves to penetrate tissues more deeply than can be reached by traditional massage. Ultrasound therapy is usually most effective when the injured or painful site is treated frequently at a low intensity for longer periods of time than utilized by traditional massage. Doctors often recommend ultrasound treatment for soft tissue injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Heal Soft Tissue Injuries
Ultrasound waves cause vibration of collagen tissues when they pass through the skin. Collagen is the main protein in tendons and ligaments, and is the component of soft tissue that provides it with strength and tautness. An ultrasound machine creates a mechanical vibration that produces heat within the injured tissue. Treatment may also stimulate the production of collagen. High intensity heating improves flexibility by increasing the lengthening ability of tendons and joint capsules, thereby allowing for easier stretch and increased range of motion.
The thermal effect of ultrasonic massage treatment helps to alleviate pain by decreasing muscle spasms and reducing swelling. This can speed the healing time for some soft tissue injuries. The heat increases blood flow to the injured area as a result of vasodilatation. This gets more oxygen and nutrients to the injured site.
Reduce Muscle Tension
Therapeutic ultrasound massage helps to reduce muscle tension, particularly for people who suffer from chronic back pain or migraines and tension headaches. Both chiropractors and massage therapists use ultrasound treatments on localized areas to release trigger points and knots in muscles that can cause stiffness, pain and muscle tension. When ultrasound waves pass through tissue, a certain amount of it is absorbed and heat is then generated within the tissue. Ultrasonic treatments to relax muscle tension generally focus on the muscles of the neck and shoulders.
Repair Bone Fractures
Animal studies show that new bone formation at a fracture site occurs faster with ultrasound therapy than with traditional fracture treatments. Research conducted at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at Chung-Yuan Christian University in Taiwan found that heat generated by ultrasound treatments could stimulate the repair of bone fractures. Results of the study were published in the August 2006 issue of The American Journal of Sports Medicine. The research team concluded that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound accelerates bone-tendon junction repair.
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