What effect does therapeutic ultrasound primarily aim to achieve in tissues?

The primary aim of therapeutic ultrasound is to promote tissue repair and alleviate pain. This therapeutic modality uses sound waves to penetrate tissues, producing thermal and non-thermal effects that can enhance blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and stimulate cellular activities. Through these mechanisms, therapeutic ultrasound accelerates the healing process in injured or damaged tissues while also providing pain relief for various musculoskeletal conditions.

The thermal effects of ultrasound can increase the tissue temperature, facilitating faster metabolic reactions and aiding in the healing of tissues. The non-thermal effects, including cavitation and acoustic streaming, can lead to improved cellular activity, contributing to tissue repair and regeneration. This dual action is particularly beneficial in physical therapy and rehabilitation settings.

While enhancing visibility of internal organs could be a function of diagnostic ultrasound, it is not the primary goal of therapeutic ultrasound. Generating electrical signals in the brain and extracting toxins from the bloodstream are unrelated to the specific therapeutic applications of ultrasound, further affirming that promotion of tissue repair and pain alleviation remains its main focus.