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Therapeutic Ultrasound in La Crosse
Sound wave energy delivered to deep soft tissue to accelerate healing, reduce pain, and improve tissue mobility.
What Is Ultrasound Therapy?
Therapeutic ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves — delivered through a small handheld transducer — to penetrate deep into soft tissue. These sound waves generate gentle mechanical vibration within the tissue, producing a thermal effect (mild warmth that increases circulation) and a non-thermal cavitation effect (microscopic pressure waves that stimulate cellular repair and reduce inflammation).
Unlike diagnostic ultrasound used for imaging, therapeutic ultrasound is applied to treat — not visualize — tissue. It is particularly effective at reaching structures that are too deep for surface-level treatments, such as tendons, joint capsules, and fascial layers.
Conditions and Symptoms We Commonly Treat
What to Expect During Treatment
A small amount of ultrasound gel is applied to the skin over the target area. The transducer is moved slowly in a circular motion. Treatment is painless — most patients feel a mild warmth or tingling sensation at most. Sessions typically last 5–10 minutes per area within a broader PT appointment.
Therapeutic ultrasound is most effective when combined with manual therapy, exercise, and other hands-on techniques. Your therapist will integrate it into your treatment plan where it adds value for your specific presentation.
Meet Our Providers
The specific care you need and deserve—all brought together under one practice, all our providers across three locations in
La Crosse and Onalaska are ready to help you.
Does therapeutic ultrasound hurt?
No. Therapeutic ultrasound is painless. Most patients feel mild warmth or a gentle tingling sensation. The transducer is moved continuously during treatment to prevent heat buildup in any one area.
Is this the same as an ultrasound scan?
No. Diagnostic ultrasound creates images of internal structures. Therapeutic ultrasound delivers sound wave energy to promote healing and reduce pain — entirely different applications, frequencies, and intensities.
How quickly does it work?
Therapeutic ultrasound is typically used over several sessions as part of a broader plan. Some patients notice changes in tissue mobility or pain after a few sessions; it is best viewed as a background support to manual therapy and exercise.
Is therapeutic ultrasound used on its own?
At Dynamic Performance and Therapy, therapeutic ultrasound is always used as one component of a comprehensive treatment plan — not as a standalone treatment. Its effects are significantly amplified when combined with manual therapy and targeted exercise. Sometimes US is combined with Electrical Stimulation as an E-Stim/US Combo to help with localized myofascial restrictions and trigger points, often used when Dry Needling isn’t an option.
Are there any reasons ultrasound can't be used?
Yes — it should not be applied over cancerous tissue, pacemakers, active infection, open growth plates in children, pregnancy, or directly over metal implants. Your therapist will screen for contraindications at your evaluation.
Healing from the inside out.
Therapeutic ultrasound reaches tissue that surface-level treatments can't — making it a valuable tool in treating deep tendon, joint, and fascial conditions.
Call us today Onalaska (608) 351-3049 for State Road (608) 668-6700
Front Desk Hours
Monday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Friday: 800am - 4:30pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
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Our Locations
Onalaska Location
1430 Main St, Onalaska, WI 54650
State Road - La Crosse
3208 State Road, Suite A, La Crosse, WI 54601
Unity - La Crosse
2801 Losey Blvd, La Crosse, WI 54601
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