ELECTROTHERAPY & ULTRASOUND LONDON
At Mike Squirrell Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic, Harley Street, we make use of a wide range of technologies to provide you with the most comprehensive diagnosis of your health issue and to reduce recovery time.
What is Electrotherapy?
Electrotherapy is used by physiotherapists to provide pain relief and promote healing for problems of the bone and/or muscle. Electrotherapy is the use of electrical energy in the treatment of impairments of health and conditions of abnormal functioning. In medicine, the term electrotherapy can apply to a variety of treatments.
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Benefits of Electrotherapy
In Physiotherapy the term has also been applied specifically to the use of electrical current to speed wound healing. Electrotherapy treatment results in a range of healing effects including decreased swelling, decreased pain and stimulating and strengthening muscles. Electrotherapy modalities used at the clinic include interferential, pre-modulated current and TENS.
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What is Ultrasound?
Ultrasound in Physiotherapy is often used as a supplement to the primary treatment (e.g. exercise or joint mobilisation). Ultrasound equipment generates high frequency sound waves that are transferred to a specific body area via a round-headed probe. The sound waves travel deep into tissue (e.g. muscles) creating gentle heat. Ultrasound helps to decrease pain and encourage the healing process.
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Treatment with Ultrasound
The Physiotherapist usually applies a hypo-allergic gel to the skin, which creates a friction free surface. Using gentle, circular motions with the probe, the therapist administers the treatment, which lasts several minutes. Usually the patient will feel a tingling sensation in the treated area.
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Benefits of Ultrasound
As the probe glides over the skin's surface, sound waves penetrate the skin causing soft tissues to vibrate creating deep heat. In turn, the heat induces vasodilation: drawing blood into the target tissues. Increased blood flow delivers needed oxygen and nutrients, and removes cell wastes. The deep heat helps to relieve pain, inflammation, reduces muscle spasms, and accelerates healing. Depending on the treatment area, range of motion may be increased.
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