Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a treatment modality used by Integrated Chiropractic that utilizes high or low-frequency sound waves. These sound waves are transmitted to the surrounding tissue and vasculature. They penetrate the muscles to cause deep tissue/muscle warming. This promotes tissue relaxation and therefore is useful in treating muscle tightness and spasms. Wave intensities and frequencies can be adjusted to account for different therapeutic needs.
The warming effect of the sound waves also cause vessel vasodilatation and increase circulation to the area that assists in healing. It’s micro-massaging waves stimulate soft tissues and joints to ease stiffness, increase blood flow and accelerate the healing process. Ultrasound also helps reduce inflammation in the soft tissue.
At Integrated Chiropractic, we use ultrasound therapy to speed up healing in the joints, muscles and tendons. A typical round of ultrasound induces hyperemia. Hyperemia is the increase of blood flow to a particular area, in the case of ultrasound therapy, as a result of its heating sound waves. The increase in blood flow reduces inflammation to the area. Ultrasound also produces a slight vibration to the affected area to promote healing. The vibration stimulates cell membranes to encourage repairing effects on the cellular level.
From car accidents to those who suffer from chronic pain, ultrasound can be as a viable form of therapy. Therapeutic uses for ultrasound include aiding in healing:
- Muscle pain
- Reduce stiffness
- Swelling
- Increase circulation
- Promote pain-tree movement
Ultrasound can be used alone but is typically used in conjunction with other forms of therapy such as stretching, heat, massage or chiropractic manipulation.
Ultrasound has been used as a form of therapy since the 1940s. It’s applied directly to the skin using a wand or probe. A gel is applied to the head of the probe to reduce friction and improve transmission of sound waves. Ultrasound is a painless procedure with patients reporting feelings of warmth and relaxation.