title: Segment therapy: the effects of ultrasound and benzocaine spray in the treatment of contractures and spasticity.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johnson Memorial Hospital, Stafford Springs, CT, USA.
authors.forename: V G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Sonnen
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D001566:Benzocaine