Which intensity range should be kept around for safety?

• A. 1-1.25 W/cm2
• B. 0.1-0.5 W/cm2
• C. 1.75-2.25 W/cm2
• D. 2.5-3.0 W/cm2

Answer: (A)

Therapeutic ultrasound safety centers on delivering enough energy to get a therapeutic effect without causing tissue overheating. Keeping the intensity around 1 to 1.25 W/cm^2 provides a level of energy that can produce beneficial heating and non‑thermal effects when paired with a proper duty cycle and treatment duration, while reducing the risk of excessive temperature rise. Lower ranges like 0.1‑0.5 W/cm^2 may be too mild to achieve the desired therapeutic benefits, whereas higher ranges such as 1.75‑2.25 or 2.5‑3.0 W/cm^2 increase the risk of overheating or tissue damage, particularly with longer exposures or inadequate coupling.