Everybody knows something about ultrasound. The doctor will task ultrasound specialists to look at babies developing the bellies of expectant mothers. Ultrasound can offer a picture of circulation through the heart, or help a doctor avoid cutting a nerve during surgery. But ultrasound technology is also used by the chiropractor differently, to generate vibrations deep inside the body’s tissues. Ultrasound acts like a kind of heating pad that can be placed under your skin. These good vibrations can treat pain and speed up tissue regeneration, accelerating the healing process. At Bowman Chiropractic in Arlington, VA we use ultrasound to relieve pain both chronic and temporary. Here are some of our answers to the questions our patients ask
What is ultrasound for pain treatment?
Ultrasound is sound at a very, very high frequency. Some applications of ultrasound operate at 5,000,000 vibrations per second. Extremely high-frequency ultrasound can be used as a kind of scalpel. Ultrasound at a lower frequency is useful for imaging. And ultrasound at an even lower frequency in the chiropractors’ office generates gentle heat.
Our chiropractors use two main types of ultrasound therapy, mechanical and thermal. Both types of ultrasound are generated by a transducers head, which looks something like an old-style flip phone that hasn’t been open. The sound the transducers generates is far beyond the human range of hearing.
The kind of ultrasound patients receive depends on their conditions. Chiropractors use continuous sound waves for thermal ultrasound therapy to stimulate healing. They use pulsed sound waves more often for pain relief.
What can ultrasound do for me?
Some of the benefits of ultrasound therapy are increased blood flow, breakdown of scar tissue, and tissue relaxation. Increasing blood flow helps the body clear out inflammation-inducing hormones. It reduces swelling and chronic inflammation. The increased flow of oxygen and nutrients seems to promote wound healing and bone repair of fractures.
Ultrasound does not work for every kind of a pain but may help reduce pain caused by:
- Bursitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Myofascial pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Pain caused by scar tissue
- Phantom limb pain
- Sprains and strains
- Tendonitis
Does ultrasound hurt?
There is no pain from ultrasound treatment. The chiropractor or assistant places a gel on the skin over the site of inflammation or injury. This gel helps the sound waves reach tissues evenly. It is anti-inflammatory and hypoallergenic. The therapist moves the transducers In small circles around and over the selected area for up to twenty minutes. It is not unusual to feel a tingling, soothing sensation or slight warming of the skin. But it’s not unusual to feel nothing at all.
Pain Relief at Bowman Chiropractic in Arlington
Finding a treatment that decreases your pain without drugs does not have to be a guessing game. When you make your appointment with Bowman Chiropractic in Arlington, we are dedicated to finding the right treatment that relieves pain best for every patient.