Is a non-invasive physical therapy treatment that uses high-frequency sound waves to deliver deep thermal or mechanical effects to soft tissues like muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
How It Works
- Thermal Effects: Continuous mode waves vibrate molecules to generate deep local heat, which relaxes tight muscles, increases blood flow, and makes collagenous tissues more elastic.
- Non-Thermal Effects: Pulsed mode waves use acoustic streaming and micro-cavitation to alter cell membrane permeability and reduce acute inflammation without overheating the tissue.
- Application Process: A practitioner applies a specialized conductive gel to the skin and moves a handheld ultrasound probe in small, steady circles over the target area for 5 to 10 minutes.
Common Uses
- Tendonitis and bursitis
- Muscle strains, spasms, and contractures
- Ligament sprains
- Joint stiffness and frozen shoulder
Post-injury scar tissue management