Modalities Flashcards
what are therapeutic modalities
the application of any physical agent applies to produce therapeutic changes to biologic tissues
what do physical agent modalities include
terminal, acoustic, electromagnetic, electrical, or mechanical energy
what is the purpose of physical modalities
stimulate the tissue in ways that are not possible with voluntary pt activity or manual therapy
Types of Physical Modalities
1) superficial heat and cold
2) intermittent pneumatic compression
3) traction
4) hydrotherapy
Purpose of electrotherapy’s
1) to promote muscle contractions (neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES))
2) to modulate pain (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS))
3) to promote edema reduction and wound healing
mechanical modalities
1) hydrotherapy
2) intermittent pneumatic compression
3) mechanical traction
what can manual traction be used for
1) lumbar for disc herniation, sciatica, DDD, or DJD
2) cervical
3) continuous
4) intermittent
what is intermittent pneumatic compression
the application of external mechanical pressure to the body for therapeutic purposes
Indications for Intermittent Pneumatic Compression
1) traumatic edema
2) stump reduction following limb amputation
3) wound healing
4) prevention of DVT
5) venous stasis ulcers
6) lymphedema
Contraindications for Pneumatic Compression
1) acute pulmonary edema: dont want more fluid to lungs
2) congestive heart failure: dont want to overload a weak heart
3) uncontrolled hypertension
4) acute or resent DVTS: dont want to dislodge
5) infection: dont want to spread infection around the body
typical protocols for intermittent pneumatic compression
1) continuous with very low intermittent pressure
2) maximal pressure must be below diastolic for 15-30 mins
3) want to avoid swelling in other areas, stiffness, numbness, SOB or other cardio plum issues
modalities that are often applied in combination
- mechanical traction with moist heat
- ice or heat packs with TENS
- ultrasound following whirlpool
heating agents transfer energy
to the body
cooling agents transfer energy
away from the body
Conduction
direct contact between two objects that have different temperatures. hot molecules will collide with slow molecules until speed of molecules equalize
examples of conduction
hot and cold packs
convection
there is a medium present. heat is transfered from the circulating medium to the tissue
examples of convection
whirlpool and fluidotherapy
conversion
converts non-terminal form of energy to heat. does not require direct contact and the amount of energy depends on how much power the energy source provides
examples of conversion
ultrasound, diathermy