When given a physical therapy order do check and see if Therapeutic Ultrasound is included. The benefits of this are numerous. Thermal ultrasound therapy uses a more continuous transmission of sound waves.
The sound waves cause microscopic vibrations in the deep tissue molecules, increasing heat and friction. The warming effect encourages healing in the soft tissues by increasing the metabolism at the level of the tissue cells. Some studies show that it can effectively control certain types of chronic pain.
Your therapist will select a small surface area to work on for anywhere from five to 10 minutes. Gel is applied either to the transducer head or to your skin, which helps the sound waves evenly penetrate the skin. During your ultrasound therapy treatment, your therapist will continually move the transducer head over and around the selected area.
I often feel a state of sublime euphoria as every tendon and nerve fiber in my body releases and relaxes offering a substantial overall calming effect after treatment.