When treating a patient in physical therapy, time is precious. When working in a busy physical therapy clinic, space is precious. Sometimes or rather most of the time, it can feel like there is too little of both.
2. When treating a patient in physical therapy, time is
precious. When working in a busy physical therapy
clinic, space is precious. Sometimes or rather most of
the time, it can feel like there is too little of both.
One of the easiest ways to
help combat these dilemmas
is by utilizing combination
units for ultrasound and
electrotherapy.
3. Combination therapy units really help solve the
time/space problem, which I know sounds a little like
science fiction, but it happens to be true.
Ultrasound and Electrotherapy units
save both time and space by
providing these versatile modalities
in one machine.
5. Ultrasound emits sound waves from a hand-held wand
which can penetrate 1 and 2 inches deep into the soft
tissues of the body.
These sound waves increase
heat, improve circulation in the
area, while also relaxing
muscles, and healing tissue
damage.
6. Electrotherapy works by applying two pads on the
area of discomfort or injury.
The unit then emits an electric signal
which then activates the natural
opioid pain-relieving system in the
body.
8. Ultrasound and electrical stimulation are two of the
most popular physical therapy modalities used today
because of their broad range of applications across
multiple patient populations.
9. In the case of Fibromyalgia, research has been conducted into
the use of combo units and has shown ultrasound and TENS are
successful in reducing muscle aches and disturbed sleep
associated with Fibromyalgia.
1. Fibromyalgia:
10. 2. Sciatica:
Use of these modalities is
recommended before stretching
the piriformis muscle, because
they will help the muscle relax.
Additionally, both Ultrasound
and TENS are useful in relieving
acute episodes of pain, by the
deep heat emitted to the tissues
and the local release of
neurotransmitters such as
serotonin to block the pain
signals in the brain.
11. Two common side-effects for those suffering from Diabetes are
skin ulcers and peripheral neuropathy which can cause severe
pain.
3. Diabetes:
Ultrasound has been found
to reduce the healing time
for skin ulcers and TENS
treatments have shown to
be effective in drastically
reducing the pain caused by
diabetic neuropathy.
12. 4. Greater Trochanteric Bursitis:
The combo unit is a valuable tool for treating the pain associated
with Greater Trochanteric Bursitis.
The deep heat from ultrasound
along with the TENS unit working
to override the pain signals of the
brain reduce pain allowing a
patient to be able to participate in
treatments that will look to
increase the strength and flexibility
of the muscles and joints.
13. 5. TMD:
Temporomandibular joint disorder or dysfunction (TMD) causes
a host of problems for patients, in particular pain.
The combination of Ultrasound
and TENS increases blood
circulation, while also helping
to decrease pain and swelling
in the jaw.
14. As you can see, there is a
wide-range of applications
for combination units.
This versatility in the
treatment of pain offers
the efficiency needed
when planning patient’s
treatment.
15. Used in combination or separately,
the housing of both modalities in one
unit offers the efficiency of space
needed in a busy physical therapy
clinic.