Untitled Deck Flashcards
What are Biophysical Agents (BPA)?
Modalities that use electrical, thermal, or mechanical energy to induce physiological changes
Used in physical therapy for various purposes, including pain relief and improving circulation.
List the primary purposes of Biophysical Agents.
- Relieve pain
- Decrease edema
- Increase circulation
- Improve healing
- Relieve muscle spasms
- Pass medication transdermally
- Improve muscle activation, ROM, motor control
- Reduce scarring & improve posture
What are the types of Biophysical Agents?
- Thermotherapy
- Cryotherapy
- Hydrotherapy
- Deep Heat
- Traction
- Soft Tissue Mobilization
- Manual Therapy
- Electrical Stimulation
- Other Agents
What biophysical agents are used in the Acute Phase (0-4 days)?
- Cryotherapy
- Electrical stimulation
- Non-thermal Ultrasound
What biophysical agents are used in the Fibroblastic Repair Phase (2 days-6 weeks)?
- Thermotherapy
- Electrical stimulation
- Intermittent compression
- Non-thermal Ultrasound
Barriers to the use of Biophysical Agents include _______.
[key learning term]
Therapist complacency, lack of research, reimbursement issues, and perception of BPA as ‘unskilled’ by some insurance providers.
True or False: Electrical stimulation can only affect sensory nerves.
False
It can also affect motor nerves and is commonly used for muscle re-education.
What is the primary physiological effect of spinal traction?
Reduces pressure on nerve roots
It separates joint surfaces and increases circulation.
Which of the following is NOT a contraindication for mechanical traction?
Disc herniation
Mechanical traction is often used to relieve symptoms associated with disc herniation.
What does central sensitization result in?
Amplified pain signaling in the CNS
It occurs in chronic pain conditions.
Fill in the blank: _______ states that bone adapts to the loads placed upon it.
Wolff’s Law
List the indications for Cryotherapy.
- Acute injuries
- Post-surgical pain
- Inflammation
- Muscle spasms
- Edema
- Acute tendinitis
- Ligament sprains
What are some contraindications for Thermotherapy?
- Acute inflammation
- Recent hemorrhage
- Thrombophlebitis
- Impaired sensation
What physiological effect does Cryotherapy have?
- Vasoconstriction
- Reduced nerve conduction velocity
- Decreased metabolic rate
- Reduced inflammation
What is the best biophysical agent for post-surgical ACL repair (2 days post-op)?
Cryotherapy + Electrical Stimulation (NMES)
Cryotherapy reduces pain and swelling, while NMES prevents muscle atrophy.
True or False: Inversion traction is contraindicated for patients with glaucoma.
True
What is the primary purpose of spinal traction?
To apply a distractive force to separate joint surfaces and stretch soft tissue
It aims to relieve conditions like disc bulges and nerve root compression.
Identify the physiological effects of Ultrasound (Non-Thermal).
- Cavitation
- Microstreaming
- Enhanced tissue healing
- Increased membrane permeability
What are the effects of the Inflammatory Healing Phase?
- Reduces pain
- Controls swelling
- Decreases metabolic rate
What types of traction are there?
- Mechanical
- Manual
- Positional
- Inversion
List some precautions to monitor during traction treatment.
- Monitor symptoms closely
- Be cautious with hypermobility
- Watch for dizziness or nausea
Fill in the blank: BPAs are used as an adjunct to _______ interventions.
physical therapy
What are the primary goals of spinal traction?
- Increase joint separation
- Reduce disc pressure
- Improve synovial fluid exchange & disc hydration
- Decrease pain via decompression of nerve roots
- Induce muscle relaxation
What is inversion traction used for?
- Hypertension
- Glaucoma
- Heart Disease
