electromagnetic waves Flashcards
waves of energy (electrical and magnetic) that are propagated through space at the speed of light
electromagnetic radiation (waves)
Waves are measured by quantum
energy, frequency and wavelength
decreasing wavelength =
increasing frequency
increasing wavelength =
decreasing frequency
rank the electromagnetic spectrum
lowest to highest
- radio waves
- microwaves
- infrared radiation
- visible light
- UV
- Xray
- Gamma rays
diathermy uses what type of waves
uses waves from either the shortwave or microwave frequency ranges
infrared lamps
heat produces from the infrared range
laser or led devises
lasers produce electromagnetic waves from the visible light frequency range
UV light devices
uses electromagnetic waves from the ultraviolet range
diathermy delivers
shortwave or microwave EM waves to heat the tissues of the body
true or false: short wave is more common and predictable than microwave EM energy
true
electromagnetic radiation is non ionizing meaning
that it does not carry enough energy in the radio frequency range to dislodge orbiting electrons
true or false: diathermy is able to depolarize nerve or muscle due to short pulse durations and high frequencies
false: unable to
diathermy can affect deeper tissues of the body than superficial modalities due to
radio frequency waves can travel through superficial tissues
absorption of energy by the tissues increases tissue temperature that depends on?
the intensity of the waves and whether the wavs are continuous or pulsed
diathermy indications
- heating tissues/increased tissue flexibility/joint rom
-decrease pain
-non thermal effects: promote tissue healing bone and wound healing
average treatment for diathermy
15-20 minutes —- can be up to 3 hours
diathermy precautions
- small pieces of metal in body
- decreased sensation
- impaired circulation
- epiphyseal plates in children
- obese patients
- near tore medical electrical devices
- over low back or pelvis (pregnant lady)
- atrophic, infect or damaged skin
diathermy contraindications
- metals on body
- cancer
- hemorrhage
pacemakers/implanted stimulators - acute injury or inflammation
- pregancy
- wet clothing/dressing
- high fluid volume
- FACE/TMJ
- loss of sensation
Capacitive meth short wave diathermy
- also called electric filed method
- placed between two capacitive electrodes
- resistance of tissues to this electric field current flow results in tissues being heated
capacitive method is best for treating
neck, back or pelvis
inductive short wave
- also calle magnetic field method
- creates oscillating magnetic filed
- induces eddy currents in body that flow along pathways of higher conductivity causing heating in these tissues
which short wave diathermy causes greater heating in skin and subcutaneous fat tissue than muscle
capacitive short wave
which diathermy will more effectively heat muscle
inductive short wave
examples of light therapy
- uv
-light emitting diode (LED) - supra luminous light emitting diode (SLED)
- light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation (LASER)
The most common laser application used in PT setting
Low power output or low level laser therapy (LLLT)
laser physiologic effects of laser are associated with the wavelength of the reduced light due to
specific cellular components that absorb certain wavelengths of light energy
results of laser effects
- alteration, facilitation, or inhibition of chemical reactions that are not the effect of thermal stimulation
water absorbs light at
greater than 1150 nm
hemoglobin and melanin absorb light at
less than 600nm
light therapeutic window for tissues is
600-1000nm
600 to 1000nm falls in the range
red light to infrared light range
longer wavelength penetrates ____ into tissues (light therapy)
deeper into the tissues
blue light range and absorbed in what tissues
450 -490nm and absorbed in superficial tissues
radiation with smaller wavelengths and high energy tends to
ionize and damage tissues
laser effect on tissue repair
mitochondrial stimulation result:
- increase respiratory chain activity
- enhances ATP synthesis
- cellular repair and reproduction
- increase production of mRNA
laster effects on inflammation
- increase vasodilation via increased histamine and NO2
- decreases tissue ischemia
- increase perfusion
- increase transport of nutrients
- removal of cellular debris
laser effects unpin
- increases levels of beta endorphin
- modulates various chemical mediators of pain
- suppresses depolarization of C fibers
HeNe lasers depth
.5cm depth
Infrared lasers depth
2-4cm depth
effectiveness of LLLT may depend on
specific ranges of dosages applied to injured or inflamed tissues and structures
laster indications
- pain
- inflammation
- chronic skin wounds
- RA/OA
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- fibromyalgia
- epicondylitis
laser precautions
- impaired sensation
- indirect eye explorer
laser contraindications
- direct eye exposure
- pregnancy
- cancer
- active hemorrhage
- open growth plates
- endocrine system
Light emitting diodes
produce light that is monochromatic or polychromatic and includes visible and infrared light wavelengths
- limited coherence and directionality compared with laser
LED indications
comparable to this of LLLT
effects of LED
increased circulation resulting in enhanced tissue oxygenation, nutrient delivery, and removal of waste products of metabolism
LED precautions and contraindications
same as for LASER , but may also cause thermal effects
- be aware of impaired sensation or mentation
ultraviolet light
- ciliates the healing of chronic skin wounds
rational for blue light
- general sanitation
- bactericidal effect
- fungicidal effect
red light rationale
- resolution of inflammation
- reduction of edema
- pain relief
- superficial tissue repair
- absorbed in superficial layer of tissue
IR light rationale
- tissue repair superficial or deep
- pain relief
-resolution of inflammation - reduction of edema
- penetrates to deeper layers of tissue
