Segment therapy: the effects of ultrasound and benzocaine spray in the treatment of contractures and spasticity.
According to Krusen's Handbook of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, topical application of ultrasound exerts only an indirect and adjunctive effect as deep-heat treatment. In support of this idea the extensibility of an isolated tendon in a heated water bath is described. The significance of this experiment as a biological phenomenon has never been critically examined. In this article the existence of a segmental reflex is proposed. Such a segmental paradigm is in keeping with the segmental organization and evolution of the locomotor system. It is further suggested that ultrasound and related therapy, if applied segmentally, may have a curative effect.
Sonnen
V G
VG
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johnson Memorial Hospital, Stafford Springs, CT, USA.
D000368:Aged; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001566:Benzocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003286:Contracture / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy*; D014463:Ultrasonography
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D001566:Benzocaine