Real time ultrasound (RTUS) is an imaging technique helpful in the assessment and retraining of muscles. It allows visualisation of muscle contractions as they happen, either when the body is at rest or during an activity. It is most commonly used in a physiotherapy setting to assess the muscles that provide spinal stability (AKA your core muscles!).

Why is Real Time Ultrasound helpful?

Have you ever tried to contract a muscle and wondered if you were doing it right? Real time ultrasound can show you if you are using your muscles correctly (or not using them at all!).

We use the machine to observe:

• the ability to contract a muscle
• the quality of a muscle contraction
• the pattern of activation

Furthermore, we can then observe and assess your ability to maintain a contraction while breathing, moving, sitting and standing. All this collaborated information allows your physiotherapist to determine whether or not your muscles are doing a good enough job of supporting you. If they aren’t, it is likely to be a contributing factor to the problem you have come to see your physiotherapist about.