The Future of Ultra Sound Therapy in Healthcare

Ultrasound Therapy is the use of sound waves (ultrasound) to aid in pain management & injury healing. Research has indicated that the application of US to injured tissues may, amongst other things, accelerate the rate & enhance the quality of tissue repair.

Generally, therapeutic ultrasound procedures involve direct contact between the ultrasound head & the skin. This requires the use of a special gel to ensure the transmission of these mechanical vibrations (sound waves) to the target tissues. A variety of coupling agents have been tested, but it appears that hypoallergenic ultrasound conductive gels transmit the most mechanical energy with minimal interference.

A key mechanism for the therapeutic effects of US is its ability to increase blood flow to the target tissues. This increases the transport of oxygen and chemicals needed for tissue repair & regeneration.

In addition, the sound waves produced by therapeutic ultrasound produce micro-vibrations within the target tissues that agitate these structures & promote tissue remodeling and scarring inhibition. As a result of this increased tissue stability, the mechanical properties of the target tissues are improved which facilitates movement & reduces pain.

The sound waves created by therapeutic ultrasound also generate heat by a phenomenon known as cavitation. These tiny gas bubbles rapidly expand and contract which causes the surrounding tissues to warm & also decreases swelling, inflammation & joint stiffness. In addition to these physiological effects, the sound waves generated by therapeutic ultrasound also stimulate angiogenesis which is a process of forming new blood vessels within a target tissue.

Moreover, the mechanical & thermal effects of US are enhanced by its capacity to interact with biological molecules such as proteins. This interaction is mediated by the acoustic radiation force which acts on a particle attracted to either the node or anti-node of the standing wave formed by the compression & rarefaction of the target tissue. This interaction is important in the formation of fibrin clots which form a critical element of the coagulation process.