Phonophoresis

Phonophoresis: What Is It?

Topical medication and ultrasound are combined in a physical therapy method known as phonophoresis. A drug applied topically is referred to as a topical treatment. The medicine is then absorbed by your skin into the tissues underneath with the aid of ultrasound waves.

Pain and inflammation in your joints, ligaments, and muscles are treated using phonophoresis. It is comparable to inotroporesis. Instead of using ultrasound, iontophoresis uses electrical currents to deliver topical drugs through your skin.

One can employ phonophoresis on its own or in conjunction with other therapies or treatments.

How is phonophoresis carried out?

Your physician, a physical therapist, or an ultrasound specialist can perform phonophoresis. You can receive a referral from your physician to a clinic that offers ultrasound treatment.

Your doctor or therapist will take three primary stages during the treatment. Initially, they will treat the area of your skin next to an injured or inflamed muscle or joint using a medicinal ointment or gel. Lidocaine, hydrocortisone, and dexamethasone are a few of the drugs commonly utilized in phonophoresis.

After applying topical treatment, they will apply ultrasonic gel to the affected area. The ultrasonic vibrations are aided in passing through the skin by this gel.

After applying the gel and topical treatment, an ultrasonic head instrument will be used on the affected area. Medication is injected into the tissue beneath the skin using ultrasound wave frequencies.

Conditions Handled by Phonophoresis:

Your physical therapist may employ phonophoresis as a therapy for an inflammatory injury. In order to increase general functional mobility, it might assist reduce discomfort and inflammation.

inflammatory response

• Phonophoresis is a treatment for inflammation in soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other tissues. It’s regarded as a remedy for inflammation.
• The body uses inflammation as a natural healing mechanism when it is injured. Inflammation is characterized by pain, swelling, redness, and elevated body temperature in the affected area.

prolonged onset of muscular soreness

• One treatment for prolonged muscular soreness is phonophoresis. DOMS, or delayed onset muscle soreness, is a common side effect of intense exercise that typically lasts one to two days.

Injuries

Treatment for the following ailments and wounds often involves phonophoresis:

• Tendon inflammation
• Bursitis
• Strains and Sprains
• Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis
• arthritic

Limitations of Phonophoresis:

Phonophoresis is generally a painless and secure procedure. On the other hand, phonophoresis might not be suitable in many circumstances.

The following are not suitable for phonophoresis:

• open injuries
• Infected cuts
• Abscesses from Eczema
• diabetes
• cancer
• tuberculosis
• deep Venous thrombosis
• stomach sore
• allergy to the drug being taken
• prosthetic
• medical devices implanted
• Disturbances in perception

Drugs Taken in Phonophoresis:

Medications that reduce inflammation are frequently used in conjunction with phonophoresis treatment. These anti-inflammatory drugs assist in lessening post-injury discomfort and swelling.

When applying phonophoresis, anti-inflammatory topical treatments (drugs administered topically) may be utilised. These include:

Salicylates4; hydrocortisone; dexamethasone
A painkiller called lidocaine is occasionally used in conjunction with phonophoresis.

In what way is phonophoresis effective?

For disorders like myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), phonophoresis may not be any more helpful than standard ultrasound therapy, according to some studies. Phonophoresis is superior to ultrasound therapy in treating disorders such as osteoarthritis of the knee, according to other research.

Most people believe that phonophoresis works better in combination with other therapies or treatments. For carpal tunnel syndrome or De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, for instance, a wrist splint may be utilized in addition to phonophoresis.

One investigation according to a reliable source, phonophoresis works best when combined with a dressing. For best effects, apply dexamethasone and an occlusive dressing (a type of wound dressing) at least half an hour before using ultrasonic waves.

Exist any dangers connected to phonophoresis?

Phonophoresis is not known to carry any dangers. If ultrasound is performed incorrectly, there is a little risk involved.

Burns:
In the event that a continuous beam is employed and left immobile.
The tissue may get overheated.
Lead will eventually burn.

Overdose:
Symptoms may worsen as a result of receiving too much treatment.

Equipment damage:
When the procedure’s head remains in the air while turned on, the reflected light of the beam back into the head damages the crystal.

Comparing Iontophoresis and Phonophoresis:

Although it is still very distinct from phonophoresis, another physical therapy treatment technique is Iontophoresis.

Iontophoresis and phonophoresis are two methods of delivering medication to your body through the skin. Both are used as mostly painless substitutes for injections to manage injury-related inflammation.

Conversely, the main difference is the transmissions mode. Whereas iontophoresis employs electrical current, phonophoresis uses ultrasonic waves to deliver topical medication to an affected body region.

What inquiries should I make of my doctor prior to trying phonophoresis?

Before starting any new procedure, as with any other, it’s crucial to discuss your treatment strategy with your doctor. Consider asking yourself the following queries.

• Will phonophoresis be effective in treating my injury or condition?
• What is the best option, phonophoresis? Is there a better option for a different kind of treatment, such as routine ultrasound therapy?
• What further therapies could I require in addition to phonophoresis?
• Will phonophoresis make my pain feel better or less intense?
• Does phonophoresis treatment get covered by my health insurance?

The evidence:

Patients who received phonophoresis had better results than those who only had ultrasound, according to a 1967 study. However, more recent research has not been able to reproduce similar findings.

According to other research, the drug used during the ultrasonic treatment cannot alleviate pain or inflammation because it does not pass through the skin.

An investigation was conducted to see how well phonophoresis worked for treating DOMS. Comparing phonophoresis to a placebo, they discovered that phonophoresis did not aid in the improvement of soreness.

No data from experimental research could support the conclusion that adding the medicine to the coupling medium (ultrasound gel) generated additional benefits over utilising ultrasound alone, according to a 2006 review published in the Physical Therapy Journal.

The takeaway:

The treatment of inflammation and discomfort can be effectively achieved with phonophoresis. It works particularly well for joint, muscular, or ligament injuries.

It is not advised to use phonophoresis as a long-term or substitute treatment for ailments like arthritis. When undergoing further therapies or treatments for musculoskeletal disorders and injuries, it can assist in easing some of your suffering.

FAQs

References

• Jewell, T. (2018, September 18). What Is Phonophoresis? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/phonophoresis#takeaway
• Physiotherapist, N. P. (2023, August 13). Ultrasonic therapy machine: Types, Effects, Indications. Mobile Physiotherapy Clinic. https://mobilephysiotherapyclinic.in/ultrasonic-therapy-machine-ultra-sound/
• Phonophoresis. (2024, June 26). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phonophoresis
• Pt, B. S. (2023, March 16). What Is Phonophoresis? Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/phonophoresis-in-physical-therapy-2696412

Author: Dr.Neha Kachhadiya