If a patient presents with pain and muscle spasm in the upper back that encompasses a large area, how should the therapist approach treatment with a 5-cm² ultrasound sound head?

When treating a large area affected by pain and muscle spasm, using ultrasound therapy requires careful consideration of both the treatment area and duration. Selecting to allot 5 minutes for each section effectively utilizes the ultrasound's properties while ensuring adequate treatment of the symptoms.

When using a 5-cm² ultrasound sound head, it's essential to cover the target area sufficiently to deliver effective therapeutic ultrasound energy. The recommendation is to treat larger areas by dividing them into smaller sections, which allows the therapist to maintain an appropriate dosage of ultrasound energy per unit area. Allotting 5 minutes per section allows for a more gradual and controlled application, reducing the risk of overheating the tissues or causing discomfort. This thorough approach also helps maintain the effectiveness of the treatment modality for muscle relaxation and pain relief by ensuring adequate time for the ultrasound waves to penetrate the tissues.

By dividing the application time into 5-minute segments, the therapist ensures that each section receives enough treatment time to experience the benefits of the ultrasound, including increased circulation, reduced muscle spasm, and pain relief. This method aligns with clinical practice protocols that recommend treating larger areas within safe and effective parameters.