Therapeutic ultrasound uses sound waves to stimulate or promote healing in tissues. The fur coat of dogs may compromise this procedure: therefore the area to be treated may need to be clipped.

The main benefit from therapeutic ultrasound is the warming of tissue inside the body, which can increase cells' metabolic rate, increase blood supply, elevate pain threshold, reduce muscle spasms, and increase viscoelasticity of connective tissue. Ultrasound can heat tissue to a depth of about 2 1/2 inches, whereas topically applied heat is only effective to a depth of about 1/2 inch.

The sound waves generated by this device also cause other non-thermal benefits by mechanically activating tissues. The mechanical energy promotes healing of soft tissues and bone. This procedure also benefits patients by increasing other physiologic functions including cell diffusion and cell membrane permeability.