What is Phonophoresis?

peppermint

Phonophoresis is the use of ultrasound to enhance the delivery of topically applied drugs. Effectively, medicines contained within or under the ultrasound gel are pushed by the sound waves of the ultrasound and driven deep below the skin. Phonophoretically administered medications can penetrate the body to a much deeper level than those massaged by hand over the surface of the skin.

Only some medications can be delivered phonophoretically. The process is dependant on many, many factors. For example, the type of drug and molecule size are critical. The drug molecule has to be just the right size to be picked up by the ultrasound waves and the right size to pass through the body tissue. As well, the medicinal molecule can't react with the ultrasound gel. It must also be able to survive the thermal and vibrational effects of the ultrasound. The delivery of medications via ultrasound is truly a science unto its own.

eucalyptus

The duration of the treatment and the need to specifically adhere to a specific dose size is also a large consideration. Obviously, the longer ultrasound is used over a topical phonophoretic drug, the more the medication is delivered and the deeper it goes. Drugs that require precise dosing, like insulin for example, cannot be controlled accurately enough to be delivered via Phonophoresis. Many natural analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs though are excellent candidates for phonophoretic application.

One of the greatest benefits to delivering medications via phonophoresis is that the medication can be delivered locally to a desired area. Oral pain killers and anti-inflamatory drugs are introduced to the entire body in equal amounts. Even if you only need pain relief in your tennis elbow or an anti-inflammatory in your swollen bursa, with oral medications you end up drugging your entire body - your brain, your heart, your lungs even if they might not need the drug. With phonophoresis, the part of the body that receives the medication is the part of your body that needs it.

Where is Phonophoresis Typically Used?

Articles on Phonophoresis

Conditions Treated With Phonophoresis:

• post-injury conditions (dislocations, distortions of joints, inflammation of muscles, tendons, etc)
• pain in rheumatic diseases
• low-back pain of neurological origin (i.e. root pain, discopathies, sciatica)
• Bursitis and similar inflammatory ailments
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Foot/Toe Sprains/Achilles Sprains and Strains
• Ankle/shoulder/Calf/Neck Sprains and Strains
• Hip Sprains, Thigh Sprains/Strains
• Ligament Strains
• OsteoArthritis
• Post - Exercise Recovery (when the workout goes a bit too far)
• Plantar Fascitis (Heel Spurs)
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Shoulder Capulitis
• Supraspinatus / Infraspinatus
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Tendonitis (acute or chronic)
• Tennis Elbow, Golfers Elbow,
• Tension Headaches
• Upper and Lower Back Strains
• Wrist/ Hand/Elbow/Shoulder Sprains and Strains

Our Hot/Cold Compression Wraps are recommended as the best by the Mayo Clinic, several professional sports organizations, and countless medical professionals. That's why we sell them, because they are the best. We have noticed over time that our customers are so fond of our cold wraps that they are frequently coming back and ordering a second one - this way they can heat or cool one while wearing the other. The wraps are becoming very popular with baseball and soccer trainers, and the wraps can be conveniently stored in a cooler for quick application on the field when needed.

Ultrasound Therapy is also a helpful tool for pain prevention of a rotator cuff injury, and having a mendmeshop ultrasound device at home can be a powerful and convenient treatment tool. If you have symptoms or are recovering from a hamstring injury, using ultrasound on a regular basis before your activity or throughout the day will help relax your hamstring muscles, tendons and tissues, diminish pain and inflammation, soften scar tissue and contribute greatly to the healing of your injury.

If you suffer from mild inflammation or pain after certain activities or movements use ultrasound therapy when you complete the activity and then rest and elevate your shoulder. Limit the application of ultrasound to a couple of treatments per day (the manual will recommend treatment frequency depending upon the injury). In between ultrasound treatments, maximize your pain relief and injury recovery by using the Cold Compression Wraps. When you're on the go, and not near an electrical outlet, take advantage of the "wear anywhere" concept of our hot/cold wraps - the highest rated wraps in the industry. Proven Performance, Proven Relief - only found at MendMeShop and AidMyRotatorCuff.com. If you have been given a treatment plan by your health professional, make sure you adhere to it to ensure pain free living. In general, people who are committed to their therapies and exercises will have the best medical outcomes.