What is it?

 In physical therapy, therapeutic ultrasound is a frequent treatment modality that is typically used for two purposes: deep heating treatment and non-thermal applications. It is utilized to generate high-frequency sound waves to the body’s soft tissues. Muscles, tendons, joints, and ligaments are examples of these tissues. 

Diagnostic ultrasound, which is used to see within the body, such as checking on a fetus during pregnancy, is not to be confused with ultrasound in physical therapy. How is performed? An Ultrasound machine with an ultrasonic transducer is used and by applying gel to the affected area, the sound head is moved in a small circular motion on your body. The ultrasound unit settings are changed according to the condition of the patient. 

What are the benefits?

• Deep heating Effects Raising the temperature of soft tissue like tendons, muscles and ligaments will aid in the process of healing, improve blood circulation, and reduce pain. Ultrasound can be used to restore the extensibility of tight soft tissues such as muscles and tendons to help in increasing the range of motion of joints.
• Cavitation Ultrasound produces a type of energy that aids in the repair of wounded tissues by speeding up the cellular process. Cavitation is the rapid expansion and contraction of small gas bubbles around your tissues caused by this energy that will cause changes at the cellular level.

 What conditions does it treat? 

• Frozen shoulder
• Bursitis
• Arthritis 
• Tendinitis
• Muscle spasms
• Fractures
• Sprains, strains, and tears

 References:

 https://www.physio-pedia.com/Therapeutic_Ultrasound

 https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/what-to-know-about-ultrasound-physical-therapy 

https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-ultrasound-therapy-2564506