How therapeutic ultrasound works
Therapeutic ultrasound is not the same as the diagnostic ultrasound used to “image” the body. It uses mechanical sound waves at a frequency of 1–3 MHz that penetrate soft tissue to a depth of 5–7 cm and produce two types of effects:
Thermal effect — warming of deep tissue, which increases collagen elasticity, relaxes tendons and fibrous muscle structures, and improves local metabolism. Particularly useful before manual work or stretching shortened tissue.
Mechanical effect (cavitation and micro-massage) — the waves cause vibrations at the cellular level that speed up the exchange of substances, reduce local inflammation and encourage regeneration. This effect is used even at lower intensities that don’t heat the tissue.
Conditions it’s used for
Tendinopathies — inflammation or degeneration of a tendon at any joint. Ultrasound acts directly on tendon tissue, which has poor blood supply and heals slowly.
Bursitis — inflammation of the bursae in the shoulder, hip, knee or elbow. Reduces swelling and makes movement easier.
Contractures and fibrous changes — tissue that has become hard after an injury, immobilization or surgery. The thermal effect improves the extensibility of collagen.
Shoulder periarthritis — a combination of tendon and joint capsule inflammation. One of the most common reasons ultrasound is used.
Slow-healing soft tissue — strains, partial tears, post-surgical recovery.
Combining with other methods
Ultrasound is most often used as preparation for manual work — warmed and relaxed tissue responds better to hands-on therapy. It can be combined with electrotherapy in the same session (sonophoresis). It’s never used alone as the only solution — it’s always part of a wider protocol.
The treatment is painless and requires no special preparation. The gel applied to the skin before the session ensures the waves are properly conducted.