Ultrasound Therapy
Normally when one hears of an ultrasound machine, a fuzzy black and white clump of indiscernible shapes comes to mind. Ultrasounds are a great imaging tool that can give medical professionals a quick look inside the body. The images created from the returning sound waves are used to determine the health and sex of unborn children, diagnose a myriad of medical conditions, and also guide doctors during delicate procedures. Ultrasound can also be used in a therapy setting as another tool to increase the speed and quality of the accident recovery of a victim.
What is Ultrasound Therapy in Accident Recovery?
Ultrasound machines are specialized instruments that transmit sound waves through a person’s skin and deep into their tissue. These sound waves are at such a high frequency that they are undetectable to the human ear. Sound waves are actually just vibrations that pass through the air like ripples in the water. The proximity of each wave determines the frequency. Low frequencies equal slow vibrations and high frequencies are fast. Frequency is measured in hertz which is abbreviated to Hz. One hertz is equal to one wave per second. The human ear can easily detect sounds between 1,000 and 4,000 Hz. Ultrasound machines used in therapy generally transmit at a frequency of 800,000 to 3 million hertz, far beyond the threshold of human hearing. These vibrations have many therapeutic effects that are desired by health care providers.
Internal Heat
One of the main effects of an ultrasound session is internally heating the tissue. The rapid vibration of the tissue causes heat to build up wherever the sound waves are applied. This heat can penetrate deeper than conventional heating pads, or packs, and is usually not felt by the patients. The sound waves transmit easily through tissues that contain fluid such as muscles and joints. Heating an area has many benefits. It increases the pliability and elasticity of tight or damaged tissues. Tight muscles will relax and respond better to massage or stretching after undergoing ultrasound therapy. It is very effective on injuries such as muscle strains, ligament sprains, and damaged tendons.
Increased Blood Flow
The increase of circulation to an injury site promotes healing and the reduction of swelling. Swelling, or edema, causes a lot of pain from increased pressure caused by the trapped fluid. Relief of this edema is important to continue the healing process. Blood also brings proteins and nutrients to repair the damaged tissue, including the mending of bone fractures.
Breakdown of Scar Tissue
After an injury occurs, the body repairs itself with scar tissue. When you get a cut on your skin, the scar that is left is usually not uniform with the surrounding skin. Often times there is more than needed, especially with large wounds the scars can be raised and bumpy. The same thing can happen inside joints or around organs. When scar tissue forms internally it can grow more than needed and actually hinder the joint or organ from functioning properly. These unwanted clumps of scar tissue are called adhesions. When turned up to a high setting, ultrasound waves can actually break down these adhesions to be reabsorbed by the body and free up the injury site.
Lincoln Auto Accident and Injury Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Lincoln Auto Accident Lawyer. If you or a loved one have sustained injury caused by a motor vehicle accident, give me a call at 916-921-6400 for helpful advice that is friendly and free. Calling long distance? Reach me free of charge at 800-404-5400.
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Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Sources:
http://www.physio-pedia.com/Ultrasound_therapy
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-an-ultrasound#1
http://www.clearpassage.com/adhesions-and-scar-tissue/
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