Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging: Therapeutic Associates Physical Therapy- Nampa

Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging (RUSI) is a new and exciting tool used by physical therapists to evaluate your muscle and soft-tissue function during physical tasks. Ultrasound Imaging is probably most known for its use in examining the developing fetus during pregnancy. Additionally, it is now used for musculoskeletal impairments.

RUSI is a valid tool for physical therapists to assess your function(1). The use of RUSI in the treatment of lower back pain has allowed the practicing therapist to focus treatment on dysfunctional muscle patterns and help return you to normal function faster. RUSI gives you, the patient, a real time image of your muscle contraction allowing for immediate feedback.

How It Can Help

• RUSI allows the therapist to look inside your body to assess important muscles that are not visible on the surface.
• In the treatment of low back pain and pelvic pain, the therapist is able to examine your core muscle, abdominal wall, pelvic floor, and lumbar musculature in real time. The therapist can then determine if your core stabilizers are functioning appropriately. In addition the therapist can use RUSI as a visual feedback to help teach you how to properly stabilize your spine.
•  Research has shown that using RUSI in training lumbar stabilizers resulted in greater success than with traditional rehabilitation techniques(2).
• RUSI is also a non-invasive way to assess the function of the pelvic floor and can be useful in training patients with incontinence. 

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Proven results for many conditions including:

• Low Back Pain
• Lumbar Stability
• Pelvic Pain
• Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

1. Hides JA, Wong I, Wilson SJ, Belavy DL, Richardson CA. Assessment of Abdominal Muscle Function During a Simulated Unilateral Weight-Bearing Task Using Ultrasound Imaging. Joumal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. 2007;37:467-471.

2. Herbert JH, Heiss DG, Basso OM. Influence of Feedback Schedule in Motor Performance and Learning of a Lumbar