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CURRENTLY AVAILABLE THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT DEVICES
ULTRASOUND
Ultrasound treatment is one of the most widely used methods of repairing soft tissue injuries.
The high frequency sound waves (1000 MHz) that radiate from the applicator head produce both heat and a micro massage effect within the muscle fibres, and the heat so produced dilates the blood vessels, while the micro massage effect breaks up blood clotting.
The frequency of the sound wave produced is extremely important, because at 1000 MHz it has a penetrating ability of around 6 centimetres or more (2-½ inches), while at a frequency of 3000 MHz this penetrating ability is reduced to 1 centimetre (1/2 inch).
Limitations
The use of ultrasound is strictly limited to the treatment of soft tissue injuries, such as damage in muscle tissue, tendons and ligaments.
Contraindications
Ultrasound radiation should never be used for the treatment of bone fractures as it produces excessive heat on the bone surface, creating extreme bone pain, and the likelihood of permanent damage to any muscle or tendon attachment at the radiated area.
The use of ultrasound treatment too soon after the occurrence of an injury may increase internal bleeding at the injury site.
The excessive use of ultrasound produces a feeling of fatigue, and should not be used within 24 hours of racing.
PULSED MICROWAVE
Pulsed microwave may be used in all types of injuries where the application of deeply penetrating heat is deemed to be beneficial, and may be used for both soft tissue damage, and bone fractures.
Limitations
Because the heat produced by the pulsed microwave covers a large area, it also radiates the sound tissue around the injured muscle, limiting its use to a general treatment of soreness due to stage 1 injuries, and minor bone fractures.
Contraindications
Due to the fact that microwave radiation has been linked to various types of cancer, and the danger this represents to both the patient and operator, the use of microwave radiation as a therapeutic treatment tool has largely been discontinued for general medical use.
The heat produced by the pulsed microwave has a tendency to “cook” or “dry out” the muscle tissue, and therefore its use should be limited to one treatment every 24 to 36 hours.
The use of microwave radiation over large areas of the body produces a feeling of extreme fatigue and debility, and should not be used within 48 hours of racing.
LASER
Since its introduction as a therapeutic treatment device, laser treatment has been surrounded by a great deal of “hype”, and it is “reputed” to be able to treat anything from a torn muscle to a sore tooth.
Unfortunately some of its treatment reputation is unwarranted; however the use of laser therapy is beneficial in all areas where stimulation of healthy cell growth is required.
This includes all soft tissue injuries, trauma on the skin surface, the bone periosteum, as well as reduction of fibrosis tissue and scar tissue.
Laser therapy seems to be more effective when used around 48 hours after an injury has been injected with a sclerosing agent. The sclerosing agent stimulates rapid scar tissue formation, and while this is occurring, laser therapy appears to improve healthy cell growth rather than scar tissue.
Limitations
Because of the fact that the laser treats such a small area at each application (about the size of a ten cent piece) and the requirement that sufficient energy needs to be absorbed into each area, laser treatment can be quite time consuming.
Therefore its use tends to be limited to the treatment of tendon and ligament injuries.
While the cost is still high, the advent of multi head laser units has certainly improved the use of laser therapy for larger soft tissue injuries.
It should however be clearly understood that the effectiveness of laser is dependent upon the output of each laser diode. For effective healing it is accepted that an absolute minimum of 2 Joule of energy (preferably 4) is delivered to the injury site in each treatment.
One joule of energy is delivered by a 1000 milliwatt laser in one second. Therefore a 100 milliwatt laser will take 10 seconds to deliver the same amount of energy.
Purchasing a cheaper 30 milliwatt laser can therefore be poor economy, as this laser will take 66 seconds, or just over one minute to treat an area the size of a ten cent piece with the minimum required 2 joule of energy.
Contraindications
There are currently no known contraindications to the laser as a therapeutic device.
PULSED MAGNETIC FIELD
As for laser, the original introduction of pulsed magnetic field as a therapeutic treatment device was surrounded by a great deal of unwarranted “hype”.
Pulsed magnetic field may be used in all soft tissue areas where a low level of blood flow stimulation may be beneficial, such as in a “tying up” syndrome, or in those Greyhounds that suffer from tightness and excessive muscle tone all over the body.
However it is in the treatment of bone trauma that pulsed magnetic field treatment really is worthwhile, as its most beneficial effect is on the bone matrix, where it at least halves normal healing time.
Limitations
The use of pulsed magnetic field to treat minor muscle trauma is simply not worthwhile, a good liniment will have a similar beneficial effect.
Contraindications
It has been reported in the media that pulsed electromagnetic fields have been implicated in causing cancerous brain tumours
Due to the fact that magnetic field has a greater effect on the kidneys than muscle tissue; excessive use may lead to loss of electrolytes from the body.
INFRARED HEAT LAMPS
Infrared heat may be used in all areas where low level penetrating heat is deemed beneficial.
Limitations
The use of heat only on muscle tissue has a minimal beneficial effect, unless it is combined with massage.
Infra red heat lamps have a limited penetrating ability.
Contraindications
The use of heat alone on damaged muscle tissue may lead to excessive scar tissue formation.
The use of an infrared heat lamp too soon after incurring muscle trauma may increase internal bleeding.
The use of an infrared heat lamp may cause excessive heat on the skin surface.
If liniments are to be applied they must be applied after the treatment is completed, not before
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