| As we age, our once lubricated joints can become | | | | best because the ultrasonic waves efficiently |
| less efficient at absorbing shocks and protecting our | | | | decrease inflammation and relive pain. |
| bones. This condition, known as arthritis, can be both | | | | Joints have limited blood flow and as a result, they |
| mentally and physically crippling and affects | | | | recover from arthritis flare-ups very slowly. In addition, |
| approximately 50% of adults 65 years and older. | | | | inflammation and waste matter build-up due to the |
| Arthritis can significantly reduce a person's quality of | | | | decreased blood flow causing extreme pain to arthritis |
| life because it commonly affects joints, such as the | | | | sufferers. A personal, therapeutic ultrasound device |
| knees, hands and elbows, which are vital for daily | | | | acts as a blood flow stimulation therapy to increase |
| functioning. | | | | circulation in the inflamed joint and decrease arthritic |
| Types of Arthritis: | | | | pain. |
| Arthritis is an inflammation of a joint, usually | | | | For those suffering from chronic Rheumatoid arthritis |
| accompanied by pain, swelling, and stiffness. It | | | | or Osteoarthritis pain, rehabilitation at home is now |
| comprises more than 100 different rheumatic diseases | | | | possible with the advent of portable ultrasound |
| and conditions. It results from infection (gonococcal, | | | | machines. The ultrasound therapy utilized by these |
| tuberculous, pneumococcal,) trauma, degenerative | | | | devices can be used as an advanced treatment of |
| changes (osteoarthritis, hypertrophic arthritis, senescent | | | | arthritis and the chronic pain that accompanies the |
| arthritis), metabolic disturbances, autoimmune disorders | | | | condition. Therapeutic ultrasound can be used to |
| (lupus erythematous) or other causes. It occurs in | | | | reduce pain, stimulate blood flow and injuries twice as |
| various forms, such as bacterial arthritis, osteoarthritis, | | | | fast. |
| or rheumatoid arthritis. | | | | Ultrasound physical therapy not only helps alleviate |
| Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder, is | | | | pain, but speeds up healing process as well. Ultra |
| considered a chronic disease and patients with | | | | sound waves generate deep tissue vibrations that |
| rheumatoid arthritis develop chronic arthritis pain. | | | | provide gentle heating to decrease pain and |
| Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint | | | | inflammation. Utilizing therapeutic ultrasound at home |
| disease, is the most common form of arthritis, | | | | helps to achieve maximum rehabilitation benefits. |
| especially among older populations, affecting over 20 | | | | Case Study: |
| million Americans. Rheumatoid arthritis and | | | | In a study by Casimiro et al, 2002 investigating the use |
| osteoarthritis both cause arthritic joint pain that can | | | | of therapeutic ultrasound for the treatment of |
| interfere with a person's ability to enjoy life. | | | | rheumatoid arthritis (RA), it was found that continuous |
| Causes: | | | | ultrasound benefits grip strength when applied to the |
| Daily activities such as getting out of bed and even | | | | hands of RA sufferers. Because of ultrasound's |
| walking can be affected by a painful joint. This arthritic | | | | anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, it is one of the |
| joint pain is occurs when the lubricant, known as | | | | most prescribed modalities for arthritis by qualified |
| synovial fluid, present in the joints and cartilage | | | | health care professionals. |
| becomes damaged. Because this fluid acts as a shock | | | | In two randomized trials, it was proven that continuous |
| absorber and ensures that the ends of our bones are | | | | ultrasound applied to the hand increased grip strength |
| protected, when it is comprised, our bones can grind | | | | and wrist dorsal flexion, as well as decreased morning |
| against each other, causing significant pain in our joints. | | | | stiffness and the number of swollen painful joints as |
| Some causes of arthritis, painful joints and joint | | | | compared with placebo. |
| inflammation and stiffness include overuse, basic wear | | | | Home Ultrasound Machines: |
| and tear, pseudogout, infections, autoimmune disorders, | | | | A home ultrasound unit works the same way as |
| bone diseases or fractures, and bone tumors or | | | | bigger machines, found in physical therapist and |
| cancer. In addition, medications, such as penicillin, and | | | | chiropractor practices, but is more compact and priced |
| the common cold or flu often cause sore aching joints | | | | reasonably so home users can afford to purchase. |
| or stiff joints. | | | | Portable ultrasound machines are also safe for use |
| Treatments: | | | | by the general public because they utilize pulsed, |
| While there is no known cure for a chronic condition | | | | instead of continuous, ultrasound waves, which are just |
| like arthritis, there are treatments for inflamed, arthritic | | | | as effective when used on a daily basis. Plantar |
| joints that really work and help sufferers manage their | | | | fasciitis physical therapy involving ultrasound will provide |
| pain to lead normal healthy lives. | | | | users with immediate relief and continual healing over a |
| Most often, a doctor, chiropractor or physical therapist | | | | 3-4 week period. |
| will prescribe a medication program of prescription | | | | Because arthritis involves joint and bone inflammation, |
| medicines and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or | | | | a specific kind of home ultrasound machine is required |
| NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to treat an | | | | for treatment. A home ultrasound physical therapy |
| injured joint. These medications aim to reduce the pain | | | | machine should emit 1Mhz ultrasound waves. It is also |
| and inflammation of sore arthritic joints. However, they | | | | important to purchase an FDA approved ultrasound |
| are associated with a number of bad side effects, | | | | unit that is quality manufactured. The portable |
| such as drowsiness, constipation, nausea, diarrhea, | | | | therapeutic ultrasound device should also be covered |
| vomiting, headache and rash. These anti-inflammatory | | | | with at least a 1 year warranty. And best of all, with a |
| drugs also do not heal your joints, only mask the | | | | portable therapeutic ultrasound machine, you can treat |
| arthritis pain, so are not the best treatment option. | | | | your arthritis daily when it is most convenient for you. |
| A stiff injured joint is also sometimes managed with | | | | Conclusion: |
| splints or braces of various types which allow the joint | | | | Studies have shown that people who receive early |
| to rest. | | | | treatment for arthritis feel better sooner and more |
| The intense flare-ups of arthritis pain can be best | | | | often, are more likely to lead an active life, and are less |
| managed through conservative, regular treatments. | | | | likely to experience chronic arthritis pain, and the type |
| Patient education on how to treat arthritis and | | | | of joint damage that leads to joint replacement. |
| self-care are critical components in healing painful joints. | | | | By reducing inflammation in your joints faster and |
| Patience is also key, as an inflamed joint can we slow | | | | quickly relieving arthritic pain with a home ultrasound |
| to heal. | | | | machine, you can lead a more active normal life. If you |
| Ultrasound Therapy: | | | | would like to reduce or eliminate you intake of harmful |
| RICE (rest, ice, compress, elevate) can we a very | | | | pain-killers and improve your arthritic symptoms and |
| useful procedure for managing arthritis pain, however, | | | | chronic joint pain, a portable ultrasound unit would be a |
| using therapeutic ultrasound prior to RICE treatment is | | | | great, affordable option for managing your arthritis. |