Ultrasound
Longwave Ultrasound is also more commonly used now because it has a much higher penetration and it can go through metal and bone. Its therapeutic uses are much the same as with shortwave ultrasound.
The treatments are carried out using 1 MHz or 3 MHz settings and depending on injury a pulsed or continuous mode will be used.
Mode will be used in short wave Ultrasound.
The long-wave Phys-Assist settings are as follows:
1. 47.62 K Hz
13 watts
10 Mw/sq cm
2. 47.63 K Hz
34 watts
27 Mw/sq cm
3. 47.63 K Hz
50 watts
39 Mw/sq cm
4. 47.63 K Hz
95 watts
74 Mw/sq cm
Therapeutic Uses
- Absorption of intercellular tissue fluids
- Increased blood supply
- To produce analgesia
- To soften organized fibrous tissue
- Deep muscle and tissue penetration reaches areas deep to bone.
- Effective uniform energy. Rapid pain relief.
- Reduces swelling – absorption of intercellular tissue fluid.
- Decreases muscle spasm – improves mobility.
- Can be used immediately following injury even in the presence of haematoma.
Conditions Treated
- Sprain or torn ligaments
- Tendons and tendon sheaths
- Wound healing
- Scar tissue sensitivity and tension
- Strain and torn muscles
- Inflamed and damaged joint capsules
Contradictions
- Specialized tissue – i.e. eyes, ovaries, brain, bone
- Abdomen and back in pregnancy
- Impaired circulation
- Acute seprosis or bacterial infection
- Recent radiotherapy
- Neoplasm
- Cardiac disease.
