Ultrasound Therapy

What is Ultrasound?

Ultrasound therapy is simply high frequency sound waves above the range that we can hear. The physical therapists at Carteret & Edison Comprehensive Medical Care apply ultrasound to the body from the small and smooth 'head' of an ultrasound machine. A gel is used to help the waves travel into the body rather than be reflected off the skin. These waves feel warm and soothing while penetrating deep to the painful areas of the back and neck or other areas.

What are the benefits of ultrasound?

increased blood supply which promotes healing, produces a pain killing effect which can reduce muscle spasm, and promote normal funtion, softens fibrous tissues and scar tissue which are formed during healing.

How is it used?

The therapist will apply a little gel to the skin and place the head of the ultrasound machine on the skin. Usually it will be moved in small circles. Treatment time can vary according to the injury but is usually about a few minutes.

Ultrasound can be applied in two modes, pulse and continuous. With continuous the beam of ultrasound waves is steady and constant. This means that heat will be transferred to the body tissues more powerfully. Pulsed means the waves go in short pulses which prevents the tissues from getting too hot. All such therapy is carefully monitored by our licensed physical therapists.