How to Use Therapeutic Ultrasound

Therapeutic ultrasound is used to heal soft tissue damage in joints and tendons. Sports injuries and arthritis are treated with ultrasound to relieve inflammation and promote blood flow. Your doctor or physical therapist administers ultrasound therapy treatments.

Instructions

• 1

  See your doctor if you experience pain and inflammation in joints and soft tissue. Your doctor examines the painful areas and determines if therapeutic ultrasound is right for you.

• 2

  Lie on a table as your doctor applies a hypoallergenic gel to the painful areas. Your doctor glides a wand from the ultrasound machine over the gel. High frequency sound waves produced by the machine enter the body through the wand.

• 3

  Continue to lie on the table for 3 to 5 minutes as sound waves generate a thermal or warm effect on injured tissues. Increased temperature in injured tissues reduces pain and stiffness by relaxing muscles.

• 4

  Get treatments two to three times a week. Treatment sessions vary depending on the severity of tissue damage.