Ultrasound treatments send vibrations to the cells of the body while converting electrical energy into ultrasonic waves, according to the journal Rehab Management. This complicated and often misunderstood process can be very healthy for therapeutic reasons, such as speeding the healing of a torn muscle. Ultrasound treatments can aid in healing by increasing blood flow to the treated area and breaking up scar tissue. Although ultrasounds are helpful for therapeutic reasons, they also can be dangerous in certain situations; they are contraindicated, or inadvisable, for many people with health problems.
Pregnancy
According to Health Canada, a government-run health website, pregnant women never should receive ultrasounds for the purpose of therapeutic treatments in any part of the body close to the fetus. Ultrasound use by pregnant women could overheat the fetus, causing severe damage to its organs. This is especially true during the first trimester. Fetal exposure to ultrasound is such a major concern that Health Canada recommends that women should not get ultrasounds if they are unsure whether they are pregnant.
Circulatory Problems
Rehab Management recommends that anyone with circulatory problems, such as deep vein thrombosis or occlusive vascular disease, avoid getting ultrasound treatments on any part of the body. Because ultrasounds can speed up circulation and move blood flow to a specific area, a major problem can occur if someone with a circulatory problem had an unknown blood clot, for example, which could be moved toward the heart or the brain by use of an ultrasound.
Infections
Anyone who has an acute infection, whether in the bone or in tissue, should not receive an ultrasound, according to Health Canada. It states that getting an ultrasound when you have an infection would increase blood flow to the infected area, which can force pus out of the infection and into the surrounding areas. This would cause the infection to spread and be perpetuated instead of healed.
Pacemakers
Health Canada also recommends that anyone who has a cardiac pacemaker should not get an ultrasound in the thoracic area. An ultrasound too close to the heart could alter the speed at which the pacemaker functions, causing irregular heartbeats. Irregular heartbeats can be very dangerous, especially for people who have heart problems or pacemakers. People with pacemakers can get ultrasounds in the lower extremities, but they may want to avoid them altogether.
People with Diminished Sensitivity to Pain
Although it is not a common disorder, some people have a diminished sensitivity to pain or do not feel pain at all. This could cause health problems in certain situations. Rehab Management recommends that people with diminished sensitivity to pain do not get any ultrasounds because the treatment may be set at an intensity that is too high for them and they would not be able to realize it. This could lead to burns or other injuries from the ultrasound.
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