Category: Theory

As several animal species use, and seemingly have always used, ultrasound the history of ultrasound in effect pre dates written history. Ultrasound is a branch of acoustics (the science of sound) dating back to Pythagoras in the 6th century BC. Ultrasound as echolocation in bats was discovered by Lazzaro Spallanzani in 1794, when he demonstrated…

Ultrasound is a term used to describe mechanical vibrations which are ‘sonic’ or ‘sound’ waves but at a higher frequency. Technically ‘ultrasonic energy’ or ‘ultrasound’ are ways of describing vibrations above the range of human hearing. Medical ultrasound is normally thought of as being in the  0.5 to 5 mhz range (low and Reed 1994).…

Ultrasound contraindications: As ultrasound can be used to scan and treat in a variety of formats the contraindications are different depending on which type of ultrasound you are using.  As an example ultrasound to scan in pregnancy is used worldwide. However ultrasound for treatment should not be used in pregnancy. Another specific example – ultrasound…

Ultrasound is used in medicine in several different ways: Diagnostic: Ultrasound for diagnosis is often referred to by it’s slang term ‘scanning’ or incorrectly called medical ultrasound. But should really be called or sonography or diagnostic sonography or ultrasonography. Ultrasound to create images uses pulsed sound waves in the upper spectrum with frequencies higher than…

At low power levels essentially nothing. This is fundamentally how diagnostic ultrasound works it simply bounces back. It has so little effect on tissues it is used world wide to scan even in pregnancy. Ultrasound used in treatment is higher power and simply moves molecules and hence gives up energy. This movement may be in…

Paul Spencer-Wimpenny MSc BHSc MCSP HCPC based in the UK. Physiotherapist and Educator. A chartered physiotherapist with a masters degree in sports science. I still work with patients on a daily basis. But I only lecture post graduate now. Currently researching access to MSK problems involving technology. I have varied and wide experience using and…

Acar, B. and Yılmaz, Ö.T., 2012. Effects of different physiotherapy applications on pain and mobility of connective tissue in patients with myofascial pain syndrome. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal rehabilitation, 25(4), pp.261-267. Ahmad Z, Siddiqui N, Malik SS, et al.: Lateral epicondylitis: a review of pathology and management. Bone Jt J, 2013, 95-B: 1158–1164 Akinoglu B, Köse…