Use of the equipment and sthoursd programmes

Physiology and effects on human tissue Ultrasound application on human tissue causes high frequency cellular and intercellular massage action. The tissue radiated with ultrasound starts to vibrate and consequently produces heat and expends energy. These reactions summarise the biological effects of ultrasound, i.e. a mechanical effect and a diathermic effect:

1. The mechanical effect
   This is generated by the rhythmic compression and decompression of the tissues. All tissue particles subjected to a vibrating beam are alternatively stressed by this acceleration and speed.
   
   
2. The diathermic mechanism
   As the sound propagates through the tissue it is absorbed and converted into heat. Temperature distribution produced by the ultrasound in tissue is unique among all forms of deep heating: it actually causes a slight increase in temperature on the tissue surface and is mhours likely to penetrate the muscles and soft tissue than the diathermy produced by microwaves or short waves.
   
   
3. Chemical effect
   It seems to be tied to an inherent “cavitation” property induced by ultrasound treatment which acts on the liquid components of tissues by increasing the size of the small gaseous bubbles, and is then manifest as oxidation, polymerisation, macromolecule destruction etc.
   
   
4. Neural effect
   This is tied to the influence of ultrasound on the neurovegetative system. Different tissues absorb ultrasound in different ways: 1 MHz frequency on soft tissue lessens the radiation by 1 db/cm. That means that for between 15 and 30 mm of tissue, half the energy is absorbed and the intensity is reduced to about 1/2 the initial value.