When most people think of ultrasound, they picture it being used during prenatal examinations. Although it’s an indispensable diagnostic instrument, ultrasound therapy is also a valuable pain management tool used by chiropractors and physical therapists to facilitate healing. Use the following guide to learn more about this type of treatment and how it might be valuable to you.

What Is It?

Ultrasound therapy uses a machine that generates sound waves at a frequency above the upper limit of human hearing. The two main types are thermal and mechanical.

Thermal ultrasound is applied in continuous waves to stimulate heat in deep tissues. Mechanical ultrasound causes gas bubbles around injured tissue to expand or contract rapidly, acting as an internal massage. Both thermal and mechanical ultrasound help speed healing and improve pain management efforts. 

What Kinds of Injuries Can It Treat?

Therapeutic ultrasound is effective at treating sprains, strains, carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, myofascial pain syndrome, and osteoarthritis. It can also relieve shoulder blade pain, tendonitis, and joint tightness. However, it should not be used on areas of low sensitivity or circulation, around the eyes, breasts, or genitals, or over broken skin or bones.

Benefits

This therapy is not only useful for pain management, but it also helps reduce inflammation and swelling. This improves patient mobility and flexibility and reduces overall stress levels.

Therapeutic ultrasound also improves blood flow in the treated areas. Better circulation causes more oxygen, glucose, and nutrients to be delivered to the cells, speeding the healing of damaged tissues. 

To learn more about adding ultrasound therapy to your pain management efforts, contact Hastings Family Chiropractic in Adams County, NE. They’ve served Hastings and the surrounding areas since 1998. In addition to headache relief and neck pain management, they also offer physical therapy to treat auto accident and sports injuries. Learn more about them on their website, or call (402) 463-1955 to make a chiropractor appointment.