Real Time Ultrasound - for Technology Enhanced Rehab

Real Time Ultrasound Imaging has seen increased use at Balance as part of our approach to provide relief and a return to normality for those with back pain and other spinal problems. It is a great tool that offers instant feedback to help clients effectively activate the musles of their deep core.

Real Time Ultrasound Imaging has seen increased use at Balance as part of our approach to provide relief and a return to normality for those with back pain and other spinal problems. It is a great tool that offers instant feedback to help clients effectively activate the musles of their deep core.

Activation, sensitivity and control, endurance and strength of the trunk muscles is a key component to the long term solution we offer. Theses muscles provide the stable base we need to move confidently and free from pain. It is the deep ones that are particularly effected when we have pain or injury and stop us from doing the things we want and need to do. Endless/mindless planks will not provide what you need!

For further enquiries and to book a session of Real Time Ultrasound CLICK HERE

More information from Sports and Spinal Specialist Paula Coates:

Real Time Ultrasound is being used by both research and clinical physiotherapists at Balance Performance Physiotherapy, as a way of improving the assessment and treatment of patients suffering from back pain. 

"It facilitates the re-learning process of the motor control problems which can result from back pain and spinal surgery.  This helps patients improve the recruitment and strength of their abdominal ‘core’ muscles, multifidus in the spine and the pelvic floor."

The true value of using RTUS in the clinical setting is that it allows you and your physiotherapist to see these deep muscles on a computer screen as they contract.  It is a non invasive procedure which creates a video of what is going on inside the body from the outside.  This gives both you and your physiotherapist biofeedback on how well you are using these muscles.  As you are dynamically assessed this provides a measure on which to build as you learn to improve your motor control.

Muscle imaged

Pelvic Floor – we can assess whether the pelvic floor muscles are moving in the right direction, and being recruited in the correct way.

Transversus Abdominus – we can assess whether your “deep abdominals” are able to work to support your spine and pelvis.

Multifidus– your spine also has deep muscles close to the spine that help stabilize the spine. In clients with back pain these are usually not functioning well, so we can assess their function and teach you how the retrain them back to normal strength.

Back Rehab Classes:

Jacqui Archer has intergrated this into the spinal rehab class that she runs with great effect so contact her for more information.

Other uses:

Sally Murray uses it successfully with many incontinence problems related to womens health, pregnancy and child birth.

Regan, Raph and Fran are using it for many of the sports injuries they see, to educate clients, monitor progress and see exactly how efective their rehab drills are being performed.

Background information

Ultrasound imaging has been used since the 1950’s to identify the structural integrity and tissue make-up in both musculoskeletal and gynaecological assessment.  As the cost and portability of the ultrasound machines have reduced it has become a much more accessible assessment tool.

Physiotherapists and Sports medicine Doctors have been using ultrasound imaging since the 1980’s mainly to assess muscle size changes and activation, trauma and swelling of joints and tendons.  Structural changes of the bladder and pelvic floor is also assessed.

Physiotherapists have embraced the clinical use of RTUS as a result of recent and on going research that showed the main problem patients with back pain have is one of motion control of the deep muscles of the trunk, rather than weakness.  These deep muscles include the transversus abdominis, the deep segmental fibers of lumbar multifidus, the pelvic floor, and the diaphragm. The use of RTUS to observe the contraction of muscles is so valuable, as they are so deep and not easily palpated or visable.

Go to the contact page by CLICKING HERE or call 0207627 2308 and ask to speak to one of the Back Pain or Sports Injury Team to discuss Real Time Ultrasound.