Ultrasound is mainly used for its non-thermal effect where high frequency sound wave causes variations and movement of cellular fluids. The physiotherapist will set the machine to deliver the appropriate depth and intensity of sound wave required.

Proposed benefits of ultrasound therapy include improving the healing rate of certain soft tissues. The mechanism of U/S by increase blood flow to specific area in order to accelerate the resolution time of the inflammatory process.

Moreover, U/S stimulates the production of collagen which is mainly protein in tendons and ligaments during tissue healing. U/S gives effects in muscle relaxation and scar tissues breakdown. Therefore the frequency will penetrate the scar tissues adhesion to make its cell more flexible.

Common injuries that treated with U/S such as:

1.  Bursitis
2. Tendonitis
3. Muscle strain & tear and muscle tension & tightness
4. Osteoarthritis
5. Frozen shoulder
6. Tennis/golfer elbow
7. Avascular necrosis
8. Ankle sprain
9. Edema
10. Varicose vein
11. Plantar fasciitis
12. metatarlsalgia
13. impingement syndrome
14. rheumatoid arthritis

U/S has been shows to act synergistically with antibiotics in killing bacteria via increase local circulation and has been postulated to allow thicker eukaryotic cell tissues cultures by promoting nutrient penetration.

Its main assets are fact pain relief and mobility restoration makes it an ideal therapy to speed up recovery and cure various indications causing acute / chronic pain. S/W is an acoustic wave which carries high energy to painful spots myoskeletal tissues with subacute, subchonic and chronic conditions.

The energy promotes regeneration reparative process of the bone, tendons and others soft tissues. S/W are characteristic by jump change in pressure, high amplitude and non periodicity.

S/W medical effects:

i. New Blood Vessel Formation

Nutrient blood flow is necessary to start and maintain the repair processes of damaged tissue. The acoustic wave creates capillary micro ruptures and as a result of these process arterioles are remodeled, stimulated to grow and new ones are formed. The new blood vessels improve blood supply and oxygenation of the treated area and support faster healing of both the tendon and the bone.

ii. Reversal of Chronic Inflammation

Chronic inflammation occurs when the inflammatory response is not completely halted. It can damage healthy tissue and results in chronic pain. Mast cells are one of the key components of the inflammatory process. Their activity may be increased by using pervasive acoustic waves. Mast cell activation is followed by the production of chemokines and cytokines. These pro-inflammatory compounds first enhance the inflammatory process and in the next step help restore normal healing and regenerative processes.

iii. Stimulation of Collagen Production

The production of a sufficient amount of collagen is a necessary precondition for the repair processes of the damaged myoskeletal and ligamentous structures. Shockwave therapy accelerates procollagen synthesis. The therapy forces the newly created collagen fibers into a longitudinal structure which makes the newly formed tendon fibers more dense and stiff and creates a firmer structure.

iv. Dissolution of Calcified Fibroblasts

Calcium build-up is most often a result of micro-tears or other trauma to a tendon. Acoustic waves break up the existing calcifications. Shockwave therapy starts the biochemical decalcification of the calcium and treats the tendon. The granular particles of calcium are then removed by the lymphatic system.

v. Dispersion of Pain Mediator

S/W intercepts the relays pain (neurotransmitter that generally associated with intense, persistent and chronic pain) messages to the central nervous which lowering the concentration of this neurotransmitter. Reduces the stimulation of afferent nociceptive fibers and thus reduces the pain.

vi. Release of Trigger Pints

Trigger points are the principal cause of pain in the back, neck, shoulder and limbs. They are associated with palpable nodules in taut bands of muscle fibers and have extremely contracted sarcomeres. The dysfunctional sarcomeres contract so tightly that they begin to cut off their own blood supply. This causes the waste products to build up. Waste product build-up irritates the sensory nerve endings which then causes even more contraction. This vicious cycle is referred to as “metabolic crisis”. S/W mechanism of action is that the delivered acoustic energy unblocks the calcium pump and thus reverse the metabolic crisis in the myofilaments and releases the trigger points.

Indications for S/W:

1. Jumper’s Knee
2. Painful Shoulder / Frozen Shoulder
3. Tennis / Golfer Elbow
4. Heel Spur
5. Insertional Pain
6. Chronic Tendinopathy
7. Chronic Back Pain
8. Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome
9. Calcifications / Osteophytes
10. Hip Pain
11. Plantar Fasciiatis
12. Archilles Tendonitis

Our physiotherapy unit currently treat patient with the new approach and technologies which scientifically and proven to give better effects. Our latest and high technology machine including IFT, US and SWD.

The basic principle of IFT is to produce the strong effect of low frequency / mid frequency electrical stimulation of nerve. The physiotherapist will determine the value of frequency & amplitude, types of frequency & currents, and placement of pad so that suit with the patient’s condition.

Main clinical applications for IFT appear to be used:

i. Pain relief:

The frequency will intercept the pathway of pain impulse (pain gate mechanism) and the brain of central system will interpreting the frequency rather than the pain that triggered by body’s receptors. Therefore patient feels comfortable instead of pain.

ii. Muscle stimulator:

The frequency also could helps for those who with neurological condition. The electrical currents that innervated the specific nerve for specific muscle by making the muscle contract. Most of the cases, patient with weakness of the muscle may trigger back to gain the muscle power and ability to function optimally. Muscle strain and spasm also can be treated by using IFT to ensure the muscle imbalance become normal.

iii. Increase local blood flow:

Since the frequency from IFT could make the muscle contract, therefore its give effect of muscle pumping which improve the local blood circulation. It’s very effective for those diagnose with the diabetes, gangrene, varicose vein and others circulation problems.

iv. Reduce edema:

Any part of the body that swelling because of the lymphatic system or fluid retention can be reduced by using the IFT. By using the same concept to clear the circulation pathway, IFT works by using its frequency to force the fluid retention get into the lymphatic system from the extra cellular fluid.

v. Stimulating healing process:

This effects interrelated with the circulation system clearance, which aggravate healing and repairing process by carrying together the medications that dissolved in the blood and endorphine hormone (chemical that makes body comfortable and reduce pain)

IFT can be applied for all part of the body including neck, shoulder, back, abdomen, buttock, thigh, calf, and foot. For those with stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury (hemiplegia/quadriplegia) may use this device for muscle training purpose.