Over the past several years, therapeutic ultrasound has been used by professional athletes as a preventative measure to protect against injury and to quickly relieve pain and accelerate the healing process. Professional athletes typically suffer injuries to muscles, tendons and ligaments making ultrasound therapy the best choice for reducing swelling which is the source of pain. It also increases blood flow in the affected areas which reduces healing time.
Fortunately, weekly and weekend warriors alike can receive the same benefits as professional athletes by using a home ultrasound device. Home ultrasound devices are rapidly changing the lives of many people who require ultrasound treatments. Home ultrasound devices are compact, lightweight, portable safe and very easy to operate. They are also very affordable providing a low cost way to give regular treatments to yourself and others.
Therapeutic professionals are also providing their patients home ultrasound kits to take home and use for the duration of the healing process. What this means to the patient is getting treatments several times per day, every day instead of once or twice a week at the therapist's office. This translates into a quicker recovery. Because of daily treatments, there is a decrease in the chances of recurring injuries by eliminating scar tissue.
Exactly what does therapeutic ultrasound do? Let's first explore what ultrasound is. Ultrasound is a method of stimulating tissue beneath the skin's surface using sound waves. Ultrasound waves travel at an extremely high frequency undetectable by the human ear. Typically, the sound waves travel between 800,000Hz and 2,000,000Hz whereby the human ear can detect sounds up to about 20,000Hz. These high frequency waves penetrate the body about five inches below the skin causing the molecules of the affected tissue to move. This physical stimulation of the molecules enhances cell repair. Also, power output is a significant factor. The power of an ultrasound unit is measured in watts per square centimeter. The higher the power, the more energy is transferred into the body. For example, using higher power usually speeds up treatment although it is actually more effective to use a lower power setting for a longer period of time.
Fortunately, weekly and weekend warriors alike can receive the same benefits as professional athletes by using a home ultrasound device. Home ultrasound devices are rapidly changing the lives of many people who require ultrasound treatments. Home ultrasound devices are compact, lightweight, portable safe and very easy to operate. They are also very affordable providing a low cost way to give regular treatments to yourself and others.
Therapeutic professionals are also providing their patients home ultrasound kits to take home and use for the duration of the healing process. What this means to the patient is getting treatments several times per day, every day instead of once or twice a week at the therapist's office. This translates into a quicker recovery. Because of daily treatments, there is a decrease in the chances of recurring injuries by eliminating scar tissue.
Exactly what does therapeutic ultrasound do? Let's first explore what ultrasound is. Ultrasound is a method of stimulating tissue beneath the skin's surface using sound waves. Ultrasound waves travel at an extremely high frequency undetectable by the human ear. Typically, the sound waves travel between 800,000Hz and 2,000,000Hz whereby the human ear can detect sounds up to about 20,000Hz. These high frequency waves penetrate the body about five inches below the skin causing the molecules of the affected tissue to move. This physical stimulation of the molecules enhances cell repair. Also, power output is a significant factor. The power of an ultrasound unit is measured in watts per square centimeter. The higher the power, the more energy is transferred into the body. For example, using higher power usually speeds up treatment although it is actually more effective to use a lower power setting for a longer period of time.
The benefits of therapeutic ultrasound are many. However, the heating and massaging effects of therapeutic ultrasound have 3 primary benefits:
• Increases blood flow in the treated area which speeds the healing process.
• Reduces swelling and edema, the main sources of pain.
• The gentle massaging effects of the ultrasound waves stimulate the affected muscles, tendons and ligaments. The cell of the damaged tissue are repaired without adding strain, and softens any scar tissue that may be present in the injured area.
Another important benefit of therapeutic ultrasound is that it can be used to administer therapeutic medicines into the body. This is a process known as phonophoresis. During this process a naturally medicated gel containing anti-inflammatory and pain relieving ingredients is applied with the ultrasound unit by massaging it deep into the affected area. The combination of the medicated gel and regular ultrasound therapy provide incredible pain relief and speed the healing process.
Home therapeutic ultrasound units are becoming extremely popular among active people because they see the great benefits these units provide in the relief of pain and treatment for chronic ailments. It is a powerful tool to have in your medical arsenal.
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