Ultrasound therapy (UWS)

What is ultrasound therapy?

Ultrasound therapy is a form of physical therapy. It uses sound waves to generate heat in the tissues. Its healing effect is supported by the effect of micro-massage.

How ultrasound therapy works?

The sound waves induce vibrations and heat in the tissues of the treated part of the body. This results in stimulation of blood circulation and metabolism. The sound waves penetrate deep into the tissue, bones reflect them more than the surrounding tissue. Heat and micro massage have an analgesic effect. Ultrasound therapy usually complements other physiotherapeutic measures as well as drug treatments.

What is done during ultrasound therapy?

To ensure optimal transmission of the sound waves from the transducer to the surface of the body, the part of the body to be treated is first coated with an ultrasound gel. This ensures undisturbed contact between the transducer and the skin and optimal sound transmission. A water bath serves the same purpose. The therapist now moves the transducer over the area to be treated, which heats up and is massaged.

There are three forms of ultrasound treatment:

• Treatment with direct sound
• Treatment with impulse sound
• Ultraphonophoresis

In the case of treatment with uniform sound, the sound waves are emitted continuously, while in the case of treatment with impulse sound, they are emitted in pulses. In ultraphonophoresis, the sound waves carry anti-inflammatory drugs deep into the tissues. These are applied to the skin before use in the form of ointments, gels and similar substances.

When to use ultrasound therapy?

Thanks to pain-relieving effects and deep penetration, ultrasound treatment is used for many ailments of bones, joints, tendons and soft tissues. The most common areas of application include:

• Wear and tear or incorrect loading of tendon attachments
• injuries of ligaments, tendons and bursae
• superficial arthrosis
• delayed bone healing after fractures
• contusions
• sprains
• acute pain and dysfunction of the spine (spinal syndrome)
• rheumatism
• chronic inflammations

Like other heat treatments, ultrasound therapy must not be used in case of infections, high fever, thrombosis, bleeding tendency, smoker’s leg, skin lesions, cancer, arteriosclerosis. Laminectomy scars, the heart region within a radius of 30-40 cm in patients with pacemakers, testicles, eyeballs and the uterus in pregnant women must not be sonicated. An overdose can lead to tissue death. However, application by a physiotherapist is an extremely safe form of treatment.