Sonography is widely known as one of the safest diagnostic examinations. Unlike x-rays and MRIs that use radiographic emissions in medical imaging, sonography uses sound waves that vibrate at high frequencies – a perfectly safer alternative. However, sonography can also be used therapeutically, as seen in the results of several studies done on the procedure. In the span of five years, there has been 11 studies on the therapeutic effect of sonography on osteoarthritis.
How does therapeutic sonography work?
Sonography sends high frequency sound waves through the body, which bounce off of solid structures. This creates images of our internal organs, all without using surgery. Because it is non-invasive and doesn’t use radiation, it is dubbed as one of the safest procedures today. This explains why sonography is the golden standard when it comes to prenatal diagnostic procedures.
Sonograms – the machines that are used on sonography – are commonly modified in research, such as the shape and size of the transducer and the frequency at which the sound waves are sent out. In order to make the sound waves therapeutic, they usually have to be high frequency but low intensity, and focused on a single area. This kind of modification is called FUS or focused ultrasound. The transducer is also modified, made smaller so that sound waves can be focused on a small area.
Sonograms – the machines that are used on sonography – are commonly modified in research, such as the shape and size of the transducer and the frequency at which the sound waves are sent out. In order to make the sound waves therapeutic, they usually have to be high frequency but low intensity, and focused on a single area. This kind of modification is called FUS or focused ultrasound. The transducer is also modified, made smaller so that sound waves can be focused on a small area.
Can it treat osteoporosis?
Management is the better term to describe what sonography is capable of doing. Osteoporosis is the most common rheumatoid condition experienced by the older population (55 years and older). In the US, it affects more than 80 percent of the older population, with symptoms that involve different joints in the body, making movement difficult.
According to the studies, low intensity ultrasound with a range of 200-400 mW/cm2 was able to improve cartilage healing, thereby decreasing pain and increasing mobility. Pulsing sound waves at this intensity was seen to enhance the cartilage matrix in producing more protein, further strengthening the cartilage. This positive result was seen in 10 out of 11 experimental studies done in the past five years.
According to the studies, low intensity ultrasound with a range of 200-400 mW/cm2 was able to improve cartilage healing, thereby decreasing pain and increasing mobility. Pulsing sound waves at this intensity was seen to enhance the cartilage matrix in producing more protein, further strengthening the cartilage. This positive result was seen in 10 out of 11 experimental studies done in the past five years.
Where can I learn to perform therapeutic ultrasound?
Therapeutic ultrasound is a new lesson incorporated into the curriculum of different sonography universities in the country. If you are looking for the best colleges for ultrasound technicians, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) has a list of accredited schools on their website. They categorize programs into four main specialties: general, cardiac, vascular, and pediatric cardiac. For working students who want to learn sonography, online programs are also available.
Therapeutic sonography is slowly becoming ideal management for a variety of different health conditions. It is safe and considerably more affordable than other modalities, like surgery and other invasive procedures. Because using sonography therapeutically is a new facet of the procedure, colleges and universities have just recently started including it in their curricula. Look through the list of accredited schools on the CAAHEP website and you can be assured that the training you will receive is high quality and will most likely include therapeutic sonography.
Therapeutic sonography is slowly becoming ideal management for a variety of different health conditions. It is safe and considerably more affordable than other modalities, like surgery and other invasive procedures. Because using sonography therapeutically is a new facet of the procedure, colleges and universities have just recently started including it in their curricula. Look through the list of accredited schools on the CAAHEP website and you can be assured that the training you will receive is high quality and will most likely include therapeutic sonography.