Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging to Assess Motor Control and Muscle Morphology

• Do you work with postpartum patients and wish you could help them recover more quickly in the postpartum time period?
  Do you work with pelvic pain patients who have sacroiliac joint pain?
  Do you work with patients that have a weak core?

Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging is a tool that is very helpful for the clinician to assess motor control and muscle morphology. It is also very helpful as a biofeedback tool for patients trying to improve their pelvic floor or core strength.

In an article published in 2021, researchers performed a systematic review of the efficacy of rehabilitative ultrasound imaging for improving motor control exercises compared to no feedback and other feedback methods. Studies included in the systematic review assessed the abdominal wall muscles, pelvic floor, serratus anterior, and/or lumbar multifidus. What they found was that rehabilitative ultrasound imaging was more effective than tactile and verbal biofeedback for motor control exercise performance. Patients using ultrasound imaging demonstrated increased muscle activity, muscle thickness, and target exercise success compared to tactile and verbal biofeedback. Additionally, longer retention was noted when ultrasound imaging was used. Having constant feedback by watching the monitor of the ultrasound while performing an exercise compared to feedback after performing an exercise showed superior motor learning long-term (Valera-Calero, 2021).

Using ultrasound is a marketing tool and something that will enhance your clinical offerings. Patients enjoy using this biofeedback method!  When asked what they thought of the use of ultrasound, this is how a few patients responded:

• “Using the ultrasound has helped me to learn to use my deep core muscles. This has helped me to recover from back pain after having twins. I am a radiologist and Allison's use of ultrasound in therapy was very unique for me and made the difference between getting better and living with pain.”  (RK, 39 years)
• "I loved using ultrasound to view my pelvic floor muscles to help with my incontinence. It was so easy and made therapy kind of fun. I highly recommend using ultrasound.” (AJ, 65 years)
• “My doctor told me to get on the waitlist for therapy using ultrasound instead of going elsewhere. He was right, it was totally worth it! I have tried therapy several times before but this time, I feel I am actually getting stronger and better!” (MK, 29 years)

Learn to use rehabilitative ultrasound in your practice and take the course with Herman & Wallace. Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging: Pelvic Health and Orthopedic Topics is offered at multiple locations. If you have a  US machine with a curvilinear transducer that images a frequency that ranges from 3 to 10 MHz and is capable of abdominal viewing then you can also register as a "Self-hosted" attendee. This course is offered in a two-day option (Orthopedic Topics) with external labs, and a three-day option (Pelvic Health & Orthopedic Topics) that includes transperineal labs.

Join us to learn how to use this great clinical tool!

Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging: Orthopedic Topics - Satellite Lab Course - October 25-26, 2024

• Fort Wayne IN
• Little Rock AR
• Oklahoma City OK
• Self-Hosted

Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging: Pelvic Health & Orthopedic Topics - Satellite Lab Course - October 25-27, 2024

• Fort Wayne IN
• Little Rock AR
• Oklahoma City OK
• Self-Hosted

Reference:

Valera-Calero JA, Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Varol U, Ortega-Santiago R, Gallego-Sendarrubias GM, Arias-Buría JL.(2021). Ultrasound Imaging as a Visual Biofeedback Tool in Rehabilitation: An Updated Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 18(14):7554. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18147554. PMID: 34300002; PMCID: PMC8305734.

AUTHOR BIO:
Allison Ariail, PT, DPT, CLT-LANA, BCB-PMD, PRPC

Allison Ariail has been a physical therapist since 1999. She graduated with a BS in physical therapy from the University of Florida and earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Boston University in 2007. Also in 2007, Dr. Ariail qualified as a Certified Lymphatic Therapist. She became board-certified by the Lymphology Association of North America in 2011 and board-certified in Biofeedback Pelvic Muscle Dysfunction by the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance in 2012. In 2014, Allison earned her board certification as a Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner. Allison specializes in the treatment of the pelvic ring and back using manual therapy and ultrasound imaging for instruction in a stabilization program. She also specializes in women’s and men’s health including conditions of chronic pelvic pain, bowel and bladder disorders, and coccyx pain. Lastly, Allison has a passion for helping oncology patients, particularly gynecological, urological, and head and neck cancer patients.

In 2009, Allison collaborated with the Primal Pictures team for the release of the Pelvic Floor Disorders program. Allison's publications include: “The Use of Transabdominal Ultrasound Imaging in Retraining the Pelvic-Floor Muscles of a Woman Postpartum.” Physical Therapy. Vol. 88, No. 10, October 2008, pp 1208-1217. (PMID: 18772276), “Beyond the Abstract” for Urotoday.com in October 2008, “Posters to Go” from APTA combined section meeting poster presentation in February 2009 and 2013. In 2016, Allison co-authored a chapter in “Healing in Urology: Clinical Guidebook to Herbal and Alternative Therapies.”

Allison works in the Denver metro area in her practice, Inspire Physical Therapy and Wellness, where she works in a more holistic setting than traditional therapy clinics. In addition to instructing Herman and Wallace on pelvic floor-related topics, Allison lectures nationally on lymphedema, cancer-related changes to the pelvic floor, and the sacroiliac joint. Allison serves as a consultant to medical companies, and physicians.