Those who are interested in alternative forms of physical therapy for musculoskeletal and neuromuscular ailments should consider discussing ultrasonic heat therapy with a licensed health-care provider. This form of therapy utilizes ultrasound waves at different intensities to produce physiological movement and heat in deep tissues for therapeutic purposes. While the action of ultrasonic heat therapy is not well understood, it remains a widely used practice for the treatment of physical injury and pain.
Effects
The main effects of ultrasonic heat therapy on body tissues are heat production and mechanical stimulation. Thermal heat is produced when tissues of varying densities absorb differing amounts of energy. When two tissues of different densities are stimulated with ultrasonic vibrations, the point at which the tissues make contact will produce heat. For example, if both muscle and fat tissue are stimulated through the skin of the thigh, the point at which muscle and fat come together would be the location of heat production.
Nerve Stimulation
Vibrations that result from ultrasonic stimulation produce an analgesic effect on nervous tissue. This pain-numbing process works by sending signals to the parasympathetic nervous system, initiating a calming response. Tissues innervated from parasympathetic messenger nerve endings are placed in a relaxed state. General fatigue and a feeling of sleepiness are other byproducts of ultrasonic heat therapy. Membrane permeability increases as well with this type of stimulation. This allows physiological processes to occur that may also produce analgesic effects on nerves.
Clinical Applications
Inflammation in muscle and nerve tissue can be treated with ultrasonic heat therapy. Sound waves in frequencies ranging from 800,000 to 1 million cycles per second are considered to be in the therapeutic range. Treatments are given several times per week, generally not exceeding 12 total. Patients who report no improvement in their pain by the fifth or sixth treatment should be referred to an alternate healing modality. Many times ultrasonic therapy is used in conjunction with other therapies to relieve pain.
Disease States
There are a number of diseases that can be treated with ultrasonic heat therapy. Those states that involve pathology of muscle and nerve tissue have the highest probability of benefiting from this therapeutic approach. Pain resulting from repetitive movement pathology, such as arthritis and bursitis, respond well, as does pain from certain viral infections like Herpes zoster. The pain produced from fused spinal vertebrae in ankylosing spondylitis can also be reduced significantly with this therapy.
Potential
A use of ultrasonic heat therapy that is still under investigation is its usefulness in some neurosurgical procedures. Because high-frequency ultrasound waves have been shown to destroy tissues, this therapy is being considered in procedures in which tissue destruction will benefit treatment. Currently, trials are being conducted in some cancer patients and those with advanced Parkinson's Disease. Contraindications with surface use of ultrasonic heat therapy are very few, but with surgical use of this method, the side effects are still unknown.
