What is the difference Between a 1MHz & 3MHz Ultrasound Machine?
Therapeutic Ultrasound Machines serve as essential tools in managing chronic pain and promoting tissue healing. Unlike the ultrasound devices used for imaging purposes, therapeutic ultrasound focuses on delivering sound waves deep into soft tissues to address various conditions such as and not limited to:
- Ligament Injury
- Damage Joint Tightness
- Tendonitis
- Shoulder Pain
- Joint Pain
- Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
- Osteoarthritis
- Phantom Limb
- and many more..
Types of Ultrasound Therapy:
- Mechanical Ultrasound Therapy: This approach utilises pulse-style sound waves to penetrate soft tissue, inducing minor warming effects while causing expansion and contraction in the tiny gas bubbles within the tissue. This mechanism helps decrease swelling, pain, and inflammatory responses.
- Thermal Ultrasound Therapy: In contrast, thermal therapy involves a continuous transmission of sound waves that generate microscopic vibrations in deep tissue, increasing friction and heat. This warming effect enhances healing at the cellular level by boosting metabolism in the soft tissue.
- Using the Ultrasound Machine:
To administer therapeutic ultrasound, apply ultrasound gel to both the skin surface and the transducer head.
Moving the transducer head continuously over and around the treatment area for at least 5 to 10 minutes ensures effective treatment. DO NOT hold the ultrasound machine still over the skin, as this could burn the skin rather than treat it.
Difference Between 1MHz & 3MHz Ultrasound Machines:
The distinction between 1MHz and 3MHz ultrasound machines lies in the depth to which the sound waves penetrate, a crucial factor in determining the most suitable machine for your needs:
- 1MHz Ultrasound Machine: Ideal for treating tissue depths ranging between 2.3 and 5cm, making it effective for pain relief in various conditions.
- 3MHz Ultrasound Machine: Suitable for treating tissue depths between 0.8 cm and 1.6 cm, making it particularly effective for addressing scar tissue, cellulite reduction, and skin conditions.
Safety Considerations:
While ultrasound therapy machines are generally considered safe, it's essential to keep the transducer head in constant motion during use.
Prolonged exposure of the transducer head to a single area may lead to the burning of underlying soft tissue, which can occur without immediate sensation. Therefore, continuous movement during treatment is crucial to prevent adverse effects.
