Introduction to Therapeutic Physical Agents

Introduction to Therapeutic Physical Agents

1. What

   • A form of acoustic, aqueous, electrical, mechanical, thermal, or light energy applied to living tissues in a systematic manner to alter physiologic processes, in conjunction with or for therapeutic purposes
     • modality
       • a method of application of, or the employment of, any therapeutic agent; limited usually to physical agents

2. Who

   • Indication
   • Contraindication
   • Precautions
   • Risks

3. When

   • Acute
     • severe & sudden on set
   • Subacute
     • longer duration than acute
   • Chronic
     • indefinite duration or virtually no change

4. Where

   • Joints
     • stiffness
   • Muscles
     • tightness
   • Bones
     • healing
   • Nerves
     • numbness

5. Why

   • Pain MX
   • Joint Mobilization
   • Muscle Flexibility
   • Healing Process

6. How

   • PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
     • NEUROMUSCULAR EFFECTS
       • Gate Control Theory
     • HEMODYNAMICS EFFECTS
       • Blood Flow
   • THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS
     • ROM
     • Muscle

7. Types

   • Superficial Heating
     • Hot Pack
     • Parrafin Wax
   • Superficial Cooling
     • Ice Pack
     • Cryotherapy
   • Fluidotherapy
   • Contrast Therapy

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