Two very important cases of ultrasound application need to be mentioned. With elbow pains syndrome, ultrasounds are used in the epicondylus area and around muscle fastenings, with intensity of 0,3 – 0,5 cm² in series of 6 – 10 treatments of 12 – 15 minutes. Identical amounts are used with treatment of shoulder pains, spine-side C4 – Th4 and topically in the joint 0,4 – 0,8 cm², with exactly the same intensity.

The ultrasounds are mechanical tremors with frequency outside of the human spectrum of hearing. In medicine, 800, 1000, 2400, 3000 kHz ultrasounds are used. The ultrasound energy causes changes in the human body, which can be divided into primary and secondary. The former are connected to ultrasounds affecting the area of application during procedure. Mechanical effects, also known as micro massage, are the main cause of primary effects, caused by variations of pressures in the wavelength.

The heat effect of ultrasounds is dependent on their dosage – another component of primary effect. The distribution of heat is dependent on tissue type. The most heat-sensitive is the nervous tissue, then comes muscle tissue, although the most intense heating appears at the borders of composite tissues. The last component of primary effects is the physiochemical effect of ultrasounds, depending mainly on their intensity. Ultrasounds quicken the break-up of proteins and their transformation from gel to salt state, and intensify their electrical conductivity. However, the ultrasound effect cannot be limited to topical effect. The effect of ultrasounds is global to the system. Nerve nexuses subject to ultrasound affect further organs and systems. Ultrasounds also stimulate the autonomic nerve system. They have painkilling effects, act as muscle relaxants, affect enzymes, blood vessels, stability of sympathetic system, prohibit inflammatory processes, quicken tissue absorption, freeing of histamine agents, facilitate tissue oxygenation and cellular matter processing.

Piotr Szczerba