Ultrasound Therapy

Overview: Everything You Need to Know

Ultrasound therapy is a well-established physiotherapy modality that uses high-frequency sound waves to deliver energy into injured or painful tissues. Unlike diagnostic ultrasound (used for imaging), therapeutic ultrasound is used to support tissue healing, reduce pain, and improve movement.

At our practice in Pretoria, Moot, and Mayville, ultrasound is always used as part of a broader physiotherapy plan, ensuring it adds direct value to your specific diagnosis and recovery goals.

Where does ultrasound therapy come from?

The use of ultrasound in medicine dates back to the early 20th century, with applications developing after World War I. It became more widely used in physiotherapy during the 1950s, particularly for treating soft tissue injuries, joint stiffness, and chronic pain conditions. Modern machines now offer precise control over depth and intensity.

How Ultrasound Therapy Works

Ultrasound therapy works by sending sound waves into the body through a handheld treatment head. These sound waves cause tissues to vibrate at a microscopic level, creating biological effects inside the tissue.

The Patient Experience

During treatment, a clear gel is applied to the skin and the therapist moves the ultrasound head slowly over the area for 5–10 minutes. Most patients feel no pain — sometimes a mild warmth, but often nothing at all.

Evidence & Research Support

• Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Reviews show ultrasound is beneficial for specific soft tissue conditions when combined with exercise and manual therapy.
• Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT): Research highlights that ultrasound’s effectiveness depends heavily on correct dosing and clinical reasoning.
• Cellular Studies: Evidence demonstrates that therapeutic ultrasound can influence fibroblast activity and collagen synthesis to support tissue repair.

Benefits in Physiotherapy

• Pain reduction: By influencing nerve sensitivity and tissue tension.
• Improved healing: Especially in tendons and ligaments during the repair phase.
• Reduced stiffness: Helping tissues move freely before rehabilitation exercises.
• Deeper treatment: Reaching structures that surface treatments cannot easily access.

Conditions & Clinical Uses

Ultrasound therapy may be considered for:

• Tendinopathies (e.g., Achilles, patellar, rotator cuff)
• Muscle strains and tears
• Ligament sprains
• Joint stiffness or capsular tightness
• Scar tissue and post-surgical rehabilitation
• Chronic soft tissue pain conditions