Ultrasound Therapy

Therapeutic ultrasound is a well-established, non-invasive modality that uses highfrequency sound waves to produce targeted physiological effects deep within soft tissue — promoting healing, reducing inflammation, and creating an optimal tissue environment for the active treatments that drive lasting recovery. At Fultz Physical Therapy & Joint Rehab, ultrasound therapy is applied strategically at our South Shreveport, North Shreveport, and South Bossier clinics as part of individualized, diagnosis-specific treatment plans.

How Therapeutic Ultrasound Works

Therapeutic ultrasound is delivered through a handheld transducer applied to the skin over the treatment area with a coupling gel. The sound waves produced by the transducer penetrate the skin and are absorbed by the underlying soft tissues, producing two distinct categories of therapeutic effect:

  • Thermal Effects – Continuous ultrasound produces a gentle, localized heating effect in the deep tissue that increases blood flow, improves tissue extensibility, reduces muscle spasm, and enhances the effectiveness of subsequent stretching and manual therapy. This thermal effect reaches tissue depths that surface-level heat packs cannot access
  • Non-Thermal (Mechanical) Effects – Pulsed ultrasound produces acoustic streaming and cavitation effects at the cellular level that accelerate tissue healing, reduce inflammation, promote collagen synthesis, and support the repair of damaged soft tissue structures without the heating effect — making it appropriate for acute injuries where heat is contraindicated

What Ultrasound Therapy Treats

Therapeutic ultrasound is effective across a wide range of conditions, including:

  • Soft tissue injuries including muscle strains, ligament sprains, and tendon injuries
  • Chronic tendinopathies including Achilles tendinopathy, patellar tendinopathy, and rotator cuff tendinopathy
  • Bursitis and joint inflammation
  • Plantar fasciitis and chronic fascial conditions
  • Post-surgical tissue healing and scar tissue management
  • Calcific deposits in soft tissue structures
  • Joint capsule tightness and mobility restrictions

Ultrasound as Part of a Complete Treatment Plan

Therapeutic ultrasound is most powerful when used to prepare tissue for active treatment rather than as a standalone intervention. By increasing tissue extensibility, reducing pain, and promoting a healing environment prior to manual therapy and therapeutic exercise, ultrasound enhances the effectiveness of everything that follows in your treatment session. Your physical therapist will determine the appropriate ultrasound parameters — frequency, intensity, duty cycle, and duration — based on your specific diagnosis and stage of healing.

The team at Fultz Physical Therapy & Joint Rehab is ready to help, with locations in South Shreveport, North Shreveport, and South Bossier, LA serving patients throughout the Shreveport-Bossier area.

Contact us today to request your evaluation and start your path to recovery.