Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesTypesBenefits and LimitationsWhat to ExpectIs It Safe?Frequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Types
Benefits and Limitations
What to Expect
Is It Safe?
Frequently Asked Questions
Ultrasoundtherapy is a noninvasive treatment in which sound waves are used to penetrate soft tissues, increasing blood flow. This can helprelieve pain, improve circulation, and promote tissue healing.As such, ultrasound therapy is often used to treat injuries and muscle spasms, as well as chronic issues like neck or back pain.
Typically aphysical therapist, a professional who helps individuals manage pain and improve mobility, administers this treatment.Occupational therapists, professionals who help individuals with acts of daily living, may offer ultrasound therapy as well.
Ultrasound therapy is also called therapeutic ultrasound or focused ultrasound.
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This article explains uses for therapeutic ultrasound, as well as how it’s performed. It also covers how effective and safe it is.
What Is Ultrasound Therapy Used For?
Studies suggest that ultrasound therapy can be used effectively for treating certain chronic pain conditions as an early stage, non-invasive option. It is also used as analternative treatmentoption, or as a complement to more invasive methods such assurgery.
Ultrasound therapy may be potentially helpful in treating pain associated with several conditions:
While the FDA has approved ultrasound therapy as a treatment modality for many chronic pain conditions, more research is still being done for other possible uses.
Effectiveness of Therapeutic Ultrasound
Types of Ultrasound Therapy
There are two types of ultrasound therapy that your provider may administer. The one you get depends on what condition you’re looking to treat:
1:46Click Play to Learn More About the Use of Therapeutic Ultrasound
1:46
Click Play to Learn More About the Use of Therapeutic Ultrasound
There are a number of benefits to including ultrasound therapy as a part of your physical therapy treatment for these conditions. For example:
That said, ultrasound therapy is not safe to use:
Before starting your treatment, your therapist will check to make sure you don’t have any burns, infections, or other problems that might contraindicate the therapy.
Your therapist will then select a small surface area to work on based on your specific condition and apply a gel either to the transducer head, the wand that emits the sound waves, or to your skin. This helps distribute the sound wave energy and prevents the transducer from getting too hot.
During your ultrasound therapy treatment, your therapist will continually move the transducer head over and around the selected area to deliver the sound waves where needed.
Treatments may last for five to 10 minutes, but this can vary depending on your needs.
Is Therapeutic Ultrasound Painful?
Ultrasound therapy is not painful if the therapist keeps the wand moving continuously. However, if the wand is held in one spot for more than a few seconds, it can become uncomfortable.
Don’t be surprised, however, if you feel nothing at all, apart from the cold gel on your skin. If the area being treated is especially sensitive to touch, you could possibly feel discomfort as the transducer head passes over.
Let the therapist know if you experience any discomfort.
How Your PT Uses Ultrasound
Safety of Ultrasound Therapy
Studies suggest that ultrasound therapy is safe when administered properly to those who qualify for the treatment.
Therapeutic ultrasound does not usually cause side effects. It may, however, cause harm if it is improperly administered. For example, during thermal therapy, a wand that’s left in one spot for too long may cause injury. If you feel any discomfort, let your therapist know at once.
Is Ultrasound Therapy Safe For Me?
Summary
It has been FDA-approved to help treat a variety of pain conditions and has been shown to be generally safe when done properly. However, certain individuals should not receive this treatment.
A Word From VerywellUltrasound is one of many methods that we can use to assist in the rehabilitation process. While it can be highly effective for certain injuries, its efficacy may vary depending on the condition. Therefore, we often integrate ultrasound with other interventions, including therapeutic exercises/activities, manual therapy, and electrical stimulation into treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs.—AMY KWAN, PT, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Ultrasound is one of many methods that we can use to assist in the rehabilitation process. While it can be highly effective for certain injuries, its efficacy may vary depending on the condition. Therefore, we often integrate ultrasound with other interventions, including therapeutic exercises/activities, manual therapy, and electrical stimulation into treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs.—AMY KWAN, PT, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Ultrasound is one of many methods that we can use to assist in the rehabilitation process. While it can be highly effective for certain injuries, its efficacy may vary depending on the condition. Therefore, we often integrate ultrasound with other interventions, including therapeutic exercises/activities, manual therapy, and electrical stimulation into treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs.
—AMY KWAN, PT, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Frequently Asked QuestionsYou can use ultrasound therapy for neck pain. Research suggests that it may be a beneficial treatment for reducing the intensity of neck pain when compared to no treatment or a sham treatment.Learn MoreCauses of Neck Pain and Treatment OptionsYes. Research suggests that ultrasound therapy may improve joint function and reduce pain associated with inflammatory conditions, like arthritis.Learn MoreBenefits of Therapeutic Ultrasound for Osteoarthritis
You can use ultrasound therapy for neck pain. Research suggests that it may be a beneficial treatment for reducing the intensity of neck pain when compared to no treatment or a sham treatment.Learn MoreCauses of Neck Pain and Treatment Options
You can use ultrasound therapy for neck pain. Research suggests that it may be a beneficial treatment for reducing the intensity of neck pain when compared to no treatment or a sham treatment.
Learn MoreCauses of Neck Pain and Treatment Options
Yes. Research suggests that ultrasound therapy may improve joint function and reduce pain associated with inflammatory conditions, like arthritis.Learn MoreBenefits of Therapeutic Ultrasound for Osteoarthritis
Yes. Research suggests that ultrasound therapy may improve joint function and reduce pain associated with inflammatory conditions, like arthritis.
Learn MoreBenefits of Therapeutic Ultrasound for Osteoarthritis
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Draper DO, Klyve D, Ortiz R, Best TM.Effect of low-intensity long-duration ultrasound on the symptomatic relief of knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study.J Orthop Surg Res. 2018;13(1):257. doi:10.1186/s13018-018-0965-0Dahan M, Cortet M, Lafon C, Padilla F.Combination of focused ultrasound, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy: new perspectives in breast cancer therapy.J Ultrasound Med. 2023;42(3):559-573. doi:10.1002/jum.16053Qing W, Shi X, Zhang Q, Peng L, He C, Wei Q.Effect of therapeutic ultrasound for neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Arch Phys Med Rehabil.2021;102(11):2219-2230. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2021.02.009Noori SA, Rasheed A, Aiyer R, et al.Therapeutic ultrasound for pain management in chronic low back pain and chronic neck pain: a systematic review.Pain Med. 2020;21(7):1482-1493. doi:10.1093/pm/pny287Ilter L, Dilek B, Batmaz I, et al.Efficacy of pulsed and continuous therapeutic ultrasound in myofascial pain syndrome: A randomized controlled study.Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2015;94(7):547-54. doi:10.1097/PHM.0000000000000210Palanisamy P, Alam M, Li S, Chow SKH, Zheng Y.Low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulation for bone fractures healing: a review.J of Ultrasound Medicine. 2022;41(3):547-563. doi:10.1002/jum.15738Sridharan B, Sharma AK, Lim HG.The role of ultrasound in cancer and cancer-related pain-a bibliometric analysis and future perspectives.Sensors (Basel). 2023;23(16):7290. doi:10.3390/s23167290Ito A, Wang T, Nakahara R, et al.Ultrasound therapy with optimal intensity facilitates peripheral nerve regeneration in rats through suppression of pro-inflammatory and nerve growth inhibitor gene expression.PLoS One. 2020;15(6):e0234691. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0234691Miller DL, Smith NB, Bailey MR, et al.Overview of therapeutic ultrasound applications and safety considerations.J Ultrasound Med. 2012;31(4):623–634. doi:10.7863/jum.2012.31.4.623Miller D, Smith N, Bailey M, et al.Overview of therapeutic ultrasound applications and safety considerations.Journal of ultrasound in medicine : official journal of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. 2012;31(4):623. doi:10.7863/jum.2012.31.4.623Accelerated Care Plus.OMNISOUND® 3000C PRO ultrasound therapy system user manual.Aetna Inc.Ultrasound therapy for wound healing.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Draper DO, Klyve D, Ortiz R, Best TM.Effect of low-intensity long-duration ultrasound on the symptomatic relief of knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study.J Orthop Surg Res. 2018;13(1):257. doi:10.1186/s13018-018-0965-0Dahan M, Cortet M, Lafon C, Padilla F.Combination of focused ultrasound, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy: new perspectives in breast cancer therapy.J Ultrasound Med. 2023;42(3):559-573. doi:10.1002/jum.16053Qing W, Shi X, Zhang Q, Peng L, He C, Wei Q.Effect of therapeutic ultrasound for neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Arch Phys Med Rehabil.2021;102(11):2219-2230. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2021.02.009Noori SA, Rasheed A, Aiyer R, et al.Therapeutic ultrasound for pain management in chronic low back pain and chronic neck pain: a systematic review.Pain Med. 2020;21(7):1482-1493. doi:10.1093/pm/pny287Ilter L, Dilek B, Batmaz I, et al.Efficacy of pulsed and continuous therapeutic ultrasound in myofascial pain syndrome: A randomized controlled study.Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2015;94(7):547-54. doi:10.1097/PHM.0000000000000210Palanisamy P, Alam M, Li S, Chow SKH, Zheng Y.Low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulation for bone fractures healing: a review.J of Ultrasound Medicine. 2022;41(3):547-563. doi:10.1002/jum.15738Sridharan B, Sharma AK, Lim HG.The role of ultrasound in cancer and cancer-related pain-a bibliometric analysis and future perspectives.Sensors (Basel). 2023;23(16):7290. doi:10.3390/s23167290Ito A, Wang T, Nakahara R, et al.Ultrasound therapy with optimal intensity facilitates peripheral nerve regeneration in rats through suppression of pro-inflammatory and nerve growth inhibitor gene expression.PLoS One. 2020;15(6):e0234691. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0234691Miller DL, Smith NB, Bailey MR, et al.Overview of therapeutic ultrasound applications and safety considerations.J Ultrasound Med. 2012;31(4):623–634. doi:10.7863/jum.2012.31.4.623Miller D, Smith N, Bailey M, et al.Overview of therapeutic ultrasound applications and safety considerations.Journal of ultrasound in medicine : official journal of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. 2012;31(4):623. doi:10.7863/jum.2012.31.4.623Accelerated Care Plus.OMNISOUND® 3000C PRO ultrasound therapy system user manual.Aetna Inc.Ultrasound therapy for wound healing.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Draper DO, Klyve D, Ortiz R, Best TM.Effect of low-intensity long-duration ultrasound on the symptomatic relief of knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study.J Orthop Surg Res. 2018;13(1):257. doi:10.1186/s13018-018-0965-0Dahan M, Cortet M, Lafon C, Padilla F.Combination of focused ultrasound, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy: new perspectives in breast cancer therapy.J Ultrasound Med. 2023;42(3):559-573. doi:10.1002/jum.16053Qing W, Shi X, Zhang Q, Peng L, He C, Wei Q.Effect of therapeutic ultrasound for neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Arch Phys Med Rehabil.2021;102(11):2219-2230. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2021.02.009Noori SA, Rasheed A, Aiyer R, et al.Therapeutic ultrasound for pain management in chronic low back pain and chronic neck pain: a systematic review.Pain Med. 2020;21(7):1482-1493. doi:10.1093/pm/pny287Ilter L, Dilek B, Batmaz I, et al.Efficacy of pulsed and continuous therapeutic ultrasound in myofascial pain syndrome: A randomized controlled study.Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2015;94(7):547-54. doi:10.1097/PHM.0000000000000210Palanisamy P, Alam M, Li S, Chow SKH, Zheng Y.Low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulation for bone fractures healing: a review.J of Ultrasound Medicine. 2022;41(3):547-563. doi:10.1002/jum.15738Sridharan B, Sharma AK, Lim HG.The role of ultrasound in cancer and cancer-related pain-a bibliometric analysis and future perspectives.Sensors (Basel). 2023;23(16):7290. doi:10.3390/s23167290Ito A, Wang T, Nakahara R, et al.Ultrasound therapy with optimal intensity facilitates peripheral nerve regeneration in rats through suppression of pro-inflammatory and nerve growth inhibitor gene expression.PLoS One. 2020;15(6):e0234691. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0234691Miller DL, Smith NB, Bailey MR, et al.Overview of therapeutic ultrasound applications and safety considerations.J Ultrasound Med. 2012;31(4):623–634. doi:10.7863/jum.2012.31.4.623Miller D, Smith N, Bailey M, et al.Overview of therapeutic ultrasound applications and safety considerations.Journal of ultrasound in medicine : official journal of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. 2012;31(4):623. doi:10.7863/jum.2012.31.4.623Accelerated Care Plus.OMNISOUND® 3000C PRO ultrasound therapy system user manual.Aetna Inc.Ultrasound therapy for wound healing.
Draper DO, Klyve D, Ortiz R, Best TM.Effect of low-intensity long-duration ultrasound on the symptomatic relief of knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study.J Orthop Surg Res. 2018;13(1):257. doi:10.1186/s13018-018-0965-0
Dahan M, Cortet M, Lafon C, Padilla F.Combination of focused ultrasound, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy: new perspectives in breast cancer therapy.J Ultrasound Med. 2023;42(3):559-573. doi:10.1002/jum.16053
Qing W, Shi X, Zhang Q, Peng L, He C, Wei Q.Effect of therapeutic ultrasound for neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Arch Phys Med Rehabil.2021;102(11):2219-2230. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2021.02.009
Noori SA, Rasheed A, Aiyer R, et al.Therapeutic ultrasound for pain management in chronic low back pain and chronic neck pain: a systematic review.Pain Med. 2020;21(7):1482-1493. doi:10.1093/pm/pny287
Ilter L, Dilek B, Batmaz I, et al.Efficacy of pulsed and continuous therapeutic ultrasound in myofascial pain syndrome: A randomized controlled study.Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2015;94(7):547-54. doi:10.1097/PHM.0000000000000210
Palanisamy P, Alam M, Li S, Chow SKH, Zheng Y.Low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulation for bone fractures healing: a review.J of Ultrasound Medicine. 2022;41(3):547-563. doi:10.1002/jum.15738
Sridharan B, Sharma AK, Lim HG.The role of ultrasound in cancer and cancer-related pain-a bibliometric analysis and future perspectives.Sensors (Basel). 2023;23(16):7290. doi:10.3390/s23167290
Ito A, Wang T, Nakahara R, et al.Ultrasound therapy with optimal intensity facilitates peripheral nerve regeneration in rats through suppression of pro-inflammatory and nerve growth inhibitor gene expression.PLoS One. 2020;15(6):e0234691. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0234691
Miller DL, Smith NB, Bailey MR, et al.Overview of therapeutic ultrasound applications and safety considerations.J Ultrasound Med. 2012;31(4):623–634. doi:10.7863/jum.2012.31.4.623
Miller D, Smith N, Bailey M, et al.Overview of therapeutic ultrasound applications and safety considerations.Journal of ultrasound in medicine : official journal of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. 2012;31(4):623. doi:10.7863/jum.2012.31.4.623
Accelerated Care Plus.OMNISOUND® 3000C PRO ultrasound therapy system user manual.
Aetna Inc.Ultrasound therapy for wound healing.
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