Therapeutic Ultrasound: Some Historical Background and Development in Knowledge of its Effect on Healing

The origin and early clinical use of ‘therapeutic’ ultrasound are reviewed and theories about the mechanism of action of ultrasound are traced and discussed. Changes of emphasis which have taken place in the empirically-based use of ultrasound are described. Some experimental evidence about the effect of ultrasound on tissue healing in vivo is presented, which indicates the need for controlled clinical trials in physiotherapeutic practice