I was wondering whether someone with a greater
knowledge than myself regarding the action of
anti-inflammatory medications, could answer this
question. Electrotherapy modalities such as
ultrasound and pulsed magnetic energy have been termed
"pro-inflammatory" in recent years because it is
beleived that they "speed up" the inflammatory
process, facilitating healing. An article which I saw
a few months back made the conclusion that therefore,
NSAIDs and ultrasound have opposing actions. Is this
the case ? And if so, in the case for example of a
soccer player post-injury who has been prescribed
NSAIDs, is ultrasound opposing rather than
complimenting the effects of these drugs ?
Many thanks,
Nick Bent, B.Sc (Hons), MCSP, SRP
___________________________________________________________________
Dear Nick,
In a sense your conclusion is true...however I might word it a little
differently. The NSAID is actually opposing the benefits of Ultrasound (US)
. There are few benefits, IF ANY, of using NSAID's in a young healthy person
such as a soccer player who has suffered a mechanical wound. He is not
suffering from a disease, therefore I question the medical community's use
of theses drugs. These drugs may help in cases of systemic disease, but they
do more harm than good when used to treat mechanical injuries.
US on the other hand works because it enhances the early arrival of
inflammatory cells to the wounded area to first: begin phagocytosis, and
secondly to begin the repair process. These phagocytic cells release
proteases and collagenases to degrade damaged structures and release growth
factors to initiate fibroplasia. Ultrasound is therapeutically effective AND
cost effective! US simply works better.
I would reference the work of Mary Dyson...you can find her work on
ultrasound....almost anywhere! Mary Dyson also authored a chapter in our
text book that I had the fortunate experience of co-editing. It is entitled
Wound Healing: Alternatives in Management, Second Edition, edited by
Jeffrey A. Feedar, PT, CWS, et. al. You can access information by looking
under the Books for Sale section at our web site located at
www.woundcareresources.com
This site also lists our continuing education seminars both in the US and
internationally. The next international location is in Seoul, Korea July 15
& 16, 2000.
You may want to take a few moments to glance at our "Wound Healing Myths"
section as well. You might find the myths "entertaining"! If you have any
quick questions regarding the use of Ultrasound, Electrical Stimulation,
Ultraviolet, etc., I would be happy to answer them ....time permitting.
Best Wishes,
Jeffrey A. Feedar, PT, CWS, Director
Wound Care Associates
(A DIVISION OF WOUND CARE RESOURCES, INC.)
180 Cherry Street
Williams Bay, Wisconsin 53191
USA
www.woundcareresources.com
phone: 1-262-245-6812
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