The history of using ultrasound as a "medical modality" began in the 1920s. "In the 1920s and '30s ultrasound was used for physical therapy, primarily for European soccer teams," reports Beth Orenstein, a Radiology Today medical writer. In the 1940s it was used as a cure-all for everything from arthritis to ulcers and eczema. Throughout this history of ultrasonic therapy, there has been skepticism and unwavering loyalty, as well as everything in between, about the positive benefits of therapeutic ultrasound, primarily used to treat soft tissue injuries and pain. Practitioners rely on personal, successful experience as much, if not more, than hard scientific evidence.
Thermal Benefits
Thermal, or heat, benefits of ultrasound are among the most popular with therapists and patients alike. Ultrasound waves transmit from the metal head of the wand, passing the skin into the parts of tissues that contain collagen. Collagen is a "major structural protein, that strengthens the tendons and resilient sheets that support the skin and internal organs," reports the Protein Data Bank. Collagen gives support to your body, protects soft tissues and connects them to your skeleton. The vibrations of ultrasonic waves produce heat within tissue. This increase in temperature may cause an increase in how well you can extend ligaments, tendons, fibrous joint capsules and areas of scar tissue. Heat also helps to reduce pain and spasms, and promotes healing.
Inflammation Benefits
After a tissue, ligament, muscle or tendon injury, pain is worsened by the inflammation, or swelling process, that accompanys it. The Sports Injury Clinic points out that a proposed benefit of ultrasound therapy is that it can reduce healing time and accelerate repair by attracting mast cells to the injured area. Mast cells are tissue cells found throughout your body and are associated with blood vessels and nerve functions. This may result in increased blood flow, beneficial a few days after an injury has occurred. Increased blood circulation is not advised immediately after an injury.
Extensibility Benefits
Ultrasound has been shown to possibly improve extensibility--the ability to extend the mature collagen cells--which may have a significant, positive effect on fibrous scar tissue that often forms after an injury or surgical trauma. It may actually help to break up this scar tissue and promote blood flow and healing. The ultrasound's high frequency sound waves may be dissipated when they comes in contact with air, so a special gel is placed on the skin to ensure maximum contact between the treatment head and your skin.
Osteoarthritis Benefits
The Cochrane Research reports that therapeutic benefits of ultrasound are proven for people with osteoarthritis of the knee. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of joint disease; it is also the leading cause of pain and physical disability in the elderly. Over time, joints begin to lose cartilage and bones can try and compensate, but they may grow abnormally, causing pain as joints become misshapen and unstable. Ultrasound is one of several physical therapy methods that help in pain management. It may reverse loss of function due to osteoarthritis by rapidly providing circulation and faster growth of bone cells and less time for the joints to become misshapen than if the injured area was untreated. Ultrasound therapy has no side effects.
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