Release time：2024-12-19 17:16
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Ultrasonic therapy is a technology widely used in the field of physical therapy. It promotes tissue healing, relieves pain and inflammation, and improves local blood circulation by utilizing the mechanical vibration effect, thermal effect, and chemical effect of ultrasound. This article will explore in depth the basic principles of ultrasound therapy, its specific application in physical therapy, and its efficacy.
Basic Principles
Ultrasonic waves are sound waves with a frequency higher than 20kHz, which have good directionality and penetration. In physical therapy, ultrasound mainly works through the following three effects:
1. Mechanical vibration effect: When ultrasound propagates in a medium, it causes mechanical vibration of the medium particles. This vibration can promote cell metabolism and accelerate the repair of damaged tissues.
2. Thermal effect: During the propagation of ultrasound, part of the energy is absorbed by the medium and converted into heat energy, causing the temperature of local tissues to rise, thereby promoting blood circulation, relaxing muscles, and relieving pain.
3. Chemical effect: Ultrasonic waves can change the pH value of tissues, activate certain enzyme systems, and promote transdermal absorption of drugs, increase local drug concentrations, and enhance therapeutic effects.
Classification of Ultrasonic Therapy
According to the different treatment methods and depth of action, ultrasonic therapy can be divided into the following types:
1. Contact ultrasonic therapy: The ultrasonic treatment head directly contacts the skin to transmit ultrasonic energy to deep tissues. It is often used to treat injuries to muscles, ligaments, joints, etc.
2. Underwater ultrasonic therapy: The treatment area is immersed in water, and water is used as a medium to transmit ultrasonic waves. It is suitable for injuries to hands, feet, etc., as well as skin ulcers, burns, etc.
3. Intracavitary ultrasonic therapy: Ultrasonic energy is transmitted into the body cavity through a specific probe. It is suitable for the treatment of gynecological and urological diseases.
Application in physical therapy
1. Treatment of soft tissue injuries: Ultrasonic therapy can accelerate the repair of damaged tissues, relieve pain and swelling, and is widely used in the treatment of muscle strains, ligament injuries, tendonitis and other diseases.
2. Treatment of bone and joint diseases: Ultrasonic therapy can promote the flow of joint fluid, relieve joint pain and stiffness, and improve joint function. It is often used to treat osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases.
3. Treatment of neurological diseases: Ultrasound therapy can stimulate nerve endings and promote the recovery of nerve conduction function. It is suitable for the treatment of peripheral nerve injury, neuralgia and other diseases.
4. Treatment of scars and adhesions: Ultrasound therapy can soften scar tissue, loosen adhesions, promote tissue regeneration and repair, and is suitable for the treatment of postoperative scars, adhesions and other diseases.
5. Treatment of chronic pain: Ultrasound therapy can effectively relieve chronic pain by promoting blood circulation, relaxing muscles, and reducing inflammation. It is suitable for the treatment of diseases such as low back pain, neck and shoulder pain.
Efficacy evaluation
A large number of clinical studies have shown that ultrasound therapy has significant efficacy in physical therapy. For example, a study on patients with knee osteoarthritis found that after ultrasound treatment, the patient's pain level was significantly reduced and joint function was significantly improved. Another study on patients with muscle strain found that ultrasound therapy can significantly shorten the repair time of damaged tissue and improve the treatment effect.
Precautions
Although ultrasound therapy has a wide range of application prospects in physical therapy, the following points should still be noted when using it:
1. Contraindications: Ultrasound therapy is not suitable for pregnant women, people with bleeding tendency, people with pacemakers, and patients with local skin infections, ulcers, etc.
2. Dose control: The appropriate ultrasound dose should be selected according to the patient's specific situation and treatment site to avoid excessive doses that cause tissue damage.
3. Treatment frequency: The appropriate treatment frequency should be determined according to the patient's condition and treatment response, generally 2-3 times a week is appropriate.