Therapeutic Physical Modalities

Therapeutic Modalities These are the various heating, cooling, and mechanical/electrical methods of treatment for the human body.

Thermal Modalities Cryotherapy refers to the use of cooling agents. Cold decreases feeling by reducing the ability of nerve endings to conduct impulses.

Thermal Modalities (cont.) Cold compress therapy utilizes both cold and compression to help alleviate inflammation and swelling.

Thermal Modalities (cont.) Hydrocollators use specifically designed heat packs to administer long-term warmth.

Thermal Modalities (cont.) Ultrasound involves therapeutic deep heating produced by high-frequency sound waves.

Thermal Modalities (cont.) Sample Ultrasound Parameters Condition Frequency Duty Cycle Deep muscle adhesion 1 MHz 100% Deep bursitis 1 MHz 20 – 50% Superficial scar 3 MHz 100% Superficial tendonitis 3 MHz 20 – 50%

Thermal Modalities (cont.) Ultrasound at 3 MHz will penetrate up to 2 cm and at 1 MHz will penetrate up to 5 cm.

Electrical Modalities E-Stim (electrical stimulation) uses electrical impulses to produce muscle contraction. TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) uses electrical impulses to reduce pain by stimulating the sensory pain receptors.