How Pain Management Clinics Benefit From Ultrasound

 

Most of us are familiar with common pain management techniques, such as physical therapy, diet, exercise, natural approaches, medication, and medical procedures. But what about ultrasound? Ultrasound’s role in diagnosing and treating pain, both chronic and ongoing, is widely unknown. Despite ongoing research, the application of ultrasound machines in pain management clinics has become increasingly common. Wondering how pain management clinics benefit from ultrasound? Let’s check out some of the reasons why ultrasound is an invaluable tool for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

IT HAS POTENTIAL HEALING EFFECTS

The main purpose of ultrasound-guided pain management is to promote the healing process of a recovering injury. Ultrasounds can evaluate and treat a variety of pain issues, including muscle, joint, ligament, and tendon pain.

Therapeutic ultrasound has been shown to increase tissue and local blood flow, which can reduce swelling and inflammation in tissues and speed up the healing of bone fractures. It can also be used to break down scar tissue. Some conditions and injuries that can be treated or managed with ultrasound-guided pain management include:

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Myofascial pain syndrome
  • Bursitis
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Pain caused by scar tissue
  • Phantom limb pain
  • Sprains and strains

IT ALLOWS FOR INCREASED VISUALIZATION

Ultrasound allows for improved visualization of surrounding soft tissue structures such as nerves, blood vessels, and tendons, which can be difficult to locate during real-time X-rays and the use of other imaging modalities, if not impossible. It gives practitioners easy visualization of the joint, surrounding structures, and other objects in the path of the needle, which can help them avoid unwanted complications and unnecessary pain for their patients. In addition, ultrasounds allow practitioners to identify and view any fluid that has accumulated in and around a patient’s muscles, tendons, joints, nerves, and other soft-tissue structures.

IT’S RADIATION-FREE, COST-EFFICIENT, AND EASY TO USE

Another way pain management clinics benefit from ultrasound is through the inexpensive cost, ease of use, and lack of complications associated with ultrasound-guided pain management. Unlike traditional radiologic imaging technologies, ultrasound is radiation-free and eliminates the risks associated with contrast agents. It’s a logical alternative to CT-guided or CAT scan injections, which can be harmful, time-consuming, and expensive. Patients with pacemakers who can’t be diagnosed or treated by other common imaging modalities can safely undergo ultrasound-guided procedures. Ultrasounds are also beneficial to patients that don’t like receiving injections. Through a process known as phonophoresis, practitioners can use ultrasound to introduce medicines that are normally applied through the skin.

At MXR Imaging, we’re dedicated to supplying you with the efficient, high-quality ultrasound technology you need to do your job. We have transducer probes, replacement parts, professional repair services, and some of the latest ultrasound technology, including the 

GE LOGIQ E9™.