What is a common treatment effect of vigorous ultrasound?

The correct answer highlights tissue elongation as a common treatment effect of vigorous ultrasound. This technique utilizes high-frequency sound waves that penetrate deep into the tissue, creating a thermal effect. When administered vigorously, ultrasound energy can elevate the temperature of the muscle tissues, facilitating increased blood flow and promoting the extensibility of collagen fibers and connective tissues. This thermal effect encourages muscle relaxation and can enhance the elasticity of tissues, making it easier to achieve tissue elongation during stretching exercises.

While other options may also present potential benefits of ultrasound therapy, they are less directly associated with the vigorous application of this treatment modality. For instance, although a decrease in pain can sometimes be achieved through ultrasound, it is more often related to the thermal and mechanical effects rather than a primary outcome of using vigorous ultrasound. Similarly, while mild inflammation can improve with different ultrasound settings or treatment goals, the vigorous application focuses more on tissue manipulation and elongation. Lastly, maintenance of range of motion is a critical physiotherapeutic goal that can be supported through various methods, but in the context of vigorous ultrasound, tissue elongation directly aligns with the specific effects usually sought from this treatment.