Ultrasound therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses sound waves to help treat various ailments. They penetrate soft tissues to increase blood flow which can relieve pain, improve circulation, and boost healing. It can be used to treat chronic pain, physical injuries, and muscle spasms. Some have found that the therapy can treat addiction.
How it works
A round-headed transducer produces sound waves that penetrate the body. When you get an ultrasound to monitor a pregnancy or injury, this is known as a diagnostic ultrasound. It uses sound to generate images that doctors can use to check the progress of a pregnancy or injury. It’s a method that poses no risk of radiation exposure.
Ultrasound therapy modifies body tissue for healing. The sound waves move or heat body tissue. They also dissolve blood clots and deliver medication where it’s needed in the body.
A therapist will apply a gel to the transducer head or your skin where it’s clear to use. The wand is moved over the selected area and can last up to ten minutes per session. It’s not painful but if it’s held in one area over a long time it can become uncomfortable.
Types of Ultrasound Therapy
1. Diathermy
This is a process to create heat beneath the first layer of the skin. The tissues vibrate when the transducer is placed against the skin and this creates heat. This can help manage pain, joint contractions, and muscle spasms. Diathermy can also improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
2. Cavitation
It’s also known as mechanical ultrasound therapy. This is when the transducer creates pressure changes in tissue fluids. When the bubbles form and burst, they change the tissues. Cavitation can break down fat cells, cancer cells, blood clots, and kidney stones. This method is frequently used to make cancer cells more receptive to other cancer treatments. It can also accelerate wound healing for people with diabetes. Cavitation is also useful for varicose veins, and calcified arteries and veins.
Benefits of Ultrasound Therapy
1. Pain management
Therapeutic ultrasound isn’t a cure-all for chronic pain. However, it is used in tandem with other pain treatments such as surgery. It can help with neck pain, back pain, muscle spasms, osteoarthritis, fractures, nerve pain, tendinitis, and bursitis—when sacs filled with fluid become inflamed. Useful Pain Management Tips From The Experts
2. Healing
It increases blood flow which can accelerate healing. The ultrasound can also be used to direct medication where it’s needed. Ultrasound therapy can also improve collagen alignment, tissue elasticity, and cell proliferation. Holistic Healing: Lifestyle Ideas For Total Wellness, In And Out
3. Treatment
According to CBS News, an ultrasound therapy trial can also help with conditions such as addiction. It’s a new form of treatment where doctors implant a device that creates ultrasounds in various parts of the brain and helps deal with addiction. The procedure works like a pacemaker. A surgeon drills a hole in the skull, and the ultrasound therapy device is implanted in the reward centre. The brain is mapped with microphones to “listen” to the neurons. The device is implanted in the correct area and is connected to a transmitter placed below the collarbone. This is controlled remotely with a tablet as needed. The signals send impulses to the brain to reduce addiction cravings.
Four severe drug addiction patients underwent the procedure. Only one had a minor relapse. Another dropped out of the trial while the other two have remained drug-free. The signals can help reset the brain and help with better management of addiction. While it doesn’t fully cure addiction, it’s a supplementary addiction treatment.
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Who can and can’t use ultrasound therapy?
This treatment is non-invasive and can be helpful for people who don’t want to risk a pain pill addiction. The procedure is also painless and easy. It has no side effects and can be used by most people. Health: Painkiller Addiction – Risk Factors, Symptoms, And Treatment
However, some people can’t use it. For instance, if you are pregnant, you shouldn’t use it. The only time you should be exposed to ultrasounds is during a foetal ultrasound. The transducer also shouldn’t be used over the spine or eyes. It also shouldn’t be used where there’s an active infection, open sores, or burns. Don’t use ultrasound therapy if you have a pacemaker or implanted medical devices.
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