Real-Time Ultrasound

Get an accurate assessment of deep abdominal discomfort and pelvic floor muscle activation at Restore Physiotherapy.

What is a real-time ultrasound?

An ultrasound procedure is done to assess the muscles in your body through a device that emits high-frequency sound waves. Ultrasounds are widely used in the medical field to assess muscle tone and motor control, as well as during and after pregnancies, providing a visual representation of the muscles contracting and relaxing on a monitor.

Restore Physiotherapy is one of the few physios in Kew that uses real-time ultrasound in our physical assessments. Our physiotherapists are able to visualise any abnormalities in the deep abdominal and pelvic floor muscles, helping patients assess muscle activation, speed up their rehabilitation and prevent future injuries.

Our real-time ultrasounds are suitable for

Individuals with lower back pain

Before and after spinal surgery

Females during and post-pregnancy

Individuals with pelvic floor weakness

Before and after gynaecology surgery

Before and after prostate surgery

Athletes wanting to improve their performance

Leading-edge leading-edge healthcare

Here are some of the benefits of Restore’s real-time ultrasound

Instant feedback on muscle sprains and tears

Speeds up the rehabilitation process

Enhances muscle strength training

Painless and non-invasive

Minimises risks for further injury

Performed by certified physiotherapists

Success story: Supporting core activation with real-rime ultrasound

Ultrasound Machine

Scenario

A 57-year-old woman came to us with long-standing lower back pain that had persisted since the birth of her children over 20 years ago. She was new to pilates and wanted to build core strength, but struggled to activate her deep abdominal muscles correctly. Specifically, she also had poor core control and faced increased abdominal pressure during clinical pilates.

Solution

Using real-time ultrasound, we were able to visually demonstrate what her transversus abdominis (TrA) looked like and how it functioned. With our visual feedback, she learned to activate her TrA correctly in a relaxed supine position. This foundational control allowed her to safely begin clinical pilates and improve her spinal stability.

Results

With more awareness and control of her core, she progressed confidently through her clinical pilates program. She has now been pain-free and consistently attending pilates for 8 months, with a renewed confidence in her physical health.

Frequently asked questions

What does the real-time ultrasound session involve?

Our physiotherapist applies a water-based gel to the skin of your lower abdomen and uses a probe to gently glide over the area. Images of your muscles are seen on the screen, and our physiotherapist will assess the activation, timing and coordination of your muscles to determine whether they are working effectively to support your spine. You will also be asked to contract and relax your muscles during the process.

Is the real-time ultrasound a compulsory part of my physiotherapy process?

We may recommend an ultrasound as part of your initial clinical assessment, but it is not compulsory. Our highly trained physiotherapists will determine whether an ultrasound is necessary, and we will book this as a separate session if required.

You can also request a real-time ultrasound session from us. We understand that these scans improve patient confidence, as they provide assurance that you are activating the right muscles during your clinical pilates sessions.

Are ultrasounds invasive?

Not at all! They are a non-invasive and non-painful procedure. Ultrasounds do not emit any radiation, making them a perfectly safe scan. We perform all real-time ultrasounds in a calm space where you can see your own muscles in action on a screen.

Do I need a referral to book an ultrasound session?

No referral is needed. Simply contact our friendly team to book a session at (03) 9855 1122.