Therapeutic Ultrasound
Sound waves used to penetrate soft tissue in order to break down restrictions (ie. scar tissue) and relax tissue with thermal effects. This technique is less invasion and well received by individuals experiencing a lot of tenderness to the affected area.
Patients may experience feeling some warmth on the area where the transducer head is being applied based on the settings.
Therapeutic Ultrasound: Water for Conduction
Therapeutic ultrasound is most effective when the sound waves being sent from the transducer (ultrasound head) through the conductivity hell and into the affected area. The sound head must overlap and continue to move for this application to work. Areas such as small wrists, hands, fingers, feet, and toes benefit from therapeutic ultrasound with the affected area submerged in water with the sound head making contact with the surface of the water to send the sound waves into the tissue.
This technique is especially beneficial for bruising (contusions) to help speed up recovery time. Click on the video to see the effectiveness.
Therapeutic Ultrasound: Phonophoresis
This electrotherapy technique is used to deliver a topical ointment (medication) directly into the affected area for pain relief and reduce inflammation. This alternative is useful for individuals unable to take oral anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Patients must discuss this option with their medical doctor before this form of therapy can be applied clinically. Based on the medical doctor's assessment, they may provide the patient with a prescription to be filled by a pharmacy capable of creating the compound requested by the doctor. Since the compounds take about 2 days to process, make sure to schedule your appointment after you've secured your prescribed ointment.
Interferrential Currents (IFC)
Interferential currents (IFC) is a form of pain management by placing electrode pads with leads on the affected area connecting into an electrotherapy device.
Patients will feel a tingling sensation that may feel odd or weird when the settings are running with the machine. Some settings are used to prevent the patient from building a tolerance level to the stimulation.
IFC uses Gate Control Theory which overrides pain sensation with pressure (sensory stimulation).
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
Similar concept to IFC however the sensation is noticeably stronger in comparison.