Ultrasound Imaging in the Treatment of Low Back Pain

Course overview

Ultrasound imaging (USI) has been used to visualize the soft tissues of the body safely since 1950. Most people are familiar with ultrasound images taken during prenatal care. Physical therapists have used conventional grayscale brightness mode USI in both the clinical and research settings to increase their knowledge of muscle function. Many clinics in Australia, Canada and the United States have incorporated USI into their physical therapy practices. Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging is used by PTs to evaluate the morphology and morphometry (behavior) of muscle and soft tissue during restoration of function and to carry out research aimed at informing clinical practice. (An alternate term for RUSI is real-time ultrasound imaging or RTUI.)