Therapeutic ultrasound
Ultrasound consists of sound vibrations in frequency so ‘high not to be perceptible to the human ear. The ultrasound apparatus are constituted by a generator of high frequency current, a shielded cable and a head issuer which is usually placed on the area to be treated in a fixed or mobile (in this last case between the skin and the printhead must be interposed a fat or a gel).
Ultrasound can also be used in water: the head is immersed in the middle water to about 2 cm away and parallel to the portion to be treated.
Directions: sciatica and neuritis in general, scapular-humeral periarthritis (even in the presence of calcifications), epicondylitis, Dupuytren’s disease.
Contraindications: presence of malignancies in the vicinity of the heart or sexual organs, osteoporosis, phlebitis in the acute phase.