{"title":"Therapeutic ultrasound in physiotherapy","seoTitle":"Therapeutic ultrasound in physiotherapy | PES Luxembourg Bascharage","metaDescription":"Therapeutic ultrasound to prepare tissues and gain comfort before movement, at Pôle Équilibre & Santé Bascharage. Informations et rendez-vous au Pôle Équil","content":"**Ultrasound therapy transmits inaudible vibrations through a probe and a coupling gel. At Pôle Equilibre & Santé, in Bascharage, the [BTL 4000 Premium](https://www.btlnet.com/ultrasound) works at 1 MHz (deeper) or 3 MHz (more superficial), continuous or pulsed. Used as an adjunct in an active session, it helps prepare the tissues and gain comfort before movement.**\n\n## 1 MHz, 3 MHz, continuous or pulsed\n\nIn **continuous mode**, part of the energy turns into heat in depth. In **pulsed mode**, the mechanical effect predominates; it is often preferred when one does not wish to heat. **1 MHz** targets deeper structures; **3 MHz** stays more superficial (fascia, a cutaneous scar, an accessible tendon). Without **gel**, the wave does not pass correctly and the probe overheats.\n\n## Indications — an adjunct, not a miracle\n\nOne can resort to it, for **a few minutes**, for a scar, a haematoma, stiffness, or as a complement to a loading programme on a tendon — never in its place. This is not the treatment of a fracture, an infection, nor of a recent tendinopathy that has not been put to work. On certain chronic tendons, [shock waves](/bascharage/equipement/onde-de-choc) are discussed separately; we do not stack modalities out of habit.\n\n## Evidence: Choosing Wisely and Cochrane\n\nChoosing Wisely and several reviews recall that ultrasound therapy is not a stand-alone treatment for **rotator-cuff tendinopathy**, **ankle sprain** or **low-back pain**: it integrates with mobilisation and exercises. Desmeules et al. (*Physical Therapy in Sport*, 2015) and the 2025 JOSPT clinical practice guideline on rotator-cuff tendinopathy underline the value of prioritising active work. The Cochrane review on ankle sprain (van den Bekerom et al., 2011) and that on chronic low-back pain (Ebadi et al.) go the same way: ultrasound is a **targeted adjunct**, useful within a complete session.\n\nParameters (intensity, frequency, mode) are set according to the area, the goal, the intended depth and the manufacturer’s recommendations, for precise and comfortable care.\n\n## How it goes\n\nGel, slow circles, without a deep-massage pressure. Slight warmth, friction, or no sensation. Sharp pain or excessive heat: we stop. Duration: often **5 to 10 minutes** per area, within a session that mainly contains mobilisation, exercises, sometimes [electrotherapy](/bascharage/equipement/electrotherapie).\n\n## Preparation\n\nAccessible area, intact skin. Mention a pacemaker, neurostimulation, a nearby metal prosthesis, a recent thrombosis, progressing cancer on the site, pregnancy (no application on the lower abdomen or the lower back). Eyes, gonads, heart and growth plates: avoided areas.\n\n## After the session\n\nWipe off the gel. No burn is expected. Walking and activities of the day are generally possible. Intense sport on an irritable tendon the same evening is discussed.\n\n## Contraindications\n\nA pacemaker and implanted stimulators, pregnancy over the abdomen or the lower back, a wound, an infection, a recent thrombosis, a tumour on the site. A joint prosthesis does not always forbid it; the mode and the area are chosen.\n\n## Frequently asked questions\n\n
\nIs it painful?\n\nNo. That is one of its advantages on a still-sensitive area. Frank heat that is too strong is not the goal: we lower the power or switch to pulsed.\n\n
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\nHow many minutes, and are many sessions needed?\n\nA few minutes per area, within a physiotherapy session of about 30 minutes. We do not chain dozens of applications without reassessing. If the benefit does not appear, we change strategy.\n\n
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\nA prosthesis, a pacemaker, pregnancy: is it contraindicated?\n\nA pacemaker and implanted stimulators, pregnancy over the abdomen or the lower back, a wound, an infection, a recent thrombosis: we abstain or adapt strictly. A joint prosthesis does not always forbid it, but the physiotherapist chooses the area and the mode. Say so at the assessment.\n\n
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\nHow should I prepare my skin?\n\nClean, without thick cream. Clothing that uncovers the region. Mention a recent scar, an inflamed tattoo or very fragile skin.\n\n
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\nCan I resume sport the same day?\n\nWalking and the prescribed exercises, yes in general. A match or an interval session on a still-irritable tendon is decided with the physiotherapist, not alone on the way out.\n\n
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\nIs a prescription required?\n\nPhysiotherapy is provided on medical prescription so that it can be reimbursed by the [CNS](https://cns.public.lu/fr/assure/remboursements/prestations-remboursees/prestations-paramedicales/kinesitherapeutes.html). The practice handles the paperwork. Details: [The Consultation](/bascharage/kinesitherapie/consultation-kine).\n\n
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\nHow can I book an appointment?\n\nVia [Doctena](https://fr.doctena.lu/cabinet/Pole_Equilibre_Sante-281318) or on +352 26 65 28 42. Practice at 20B Rue du Bois, 4912 Bascharage — see [Contact & access](/contact).\n\n
\n\n## Find out more\n\n- [Shock waves](/bascharage/equipement/onde-de-choc)\n- [Electrotherapy](/bascharage/equipement/electrotherapie)\n- [Our technical platform](/bascharage/equipement)\n\n
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Sources : Choosing Wisely — do not use ultrasound routinely (cuff, ankle, low-back pain) ; van den Bekerom et al., Cochrane, 2011 (ultrasound and ankle sprain) ; Ebadi et al., Cochrane (ultrasound and chronic low-back pain) ; JOSPT 2025 — rotator-cuff tendinopathy CPG (DOI 10.2519/jospt.2025.13182).

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