PHYSICAL THERAPY MODALITIES
While therapeutic exercise is the crux of physical therapy, it is by no means the only technique. Physical therapy modalities, or complementary therapies, are used to relieve pain, improve movement and aid in the healing process. While many people are familiar with the diagnostic capability of ultrasound, few have had experience with therapeutic ultrasound. Two types are primarily used in physical therapy - continuous ultrasound and pulsed ultrasound. Continuous, or thermal ultrasound heats the tissue it targets while pulsed, or nonthermal ultrasound, has been shown to accelerate healing on a cellular level. Beyond whether the sonic waves are continuous or pulsed, an ultrasound's intensity, wave length and frequency can be adjusted to treat soft tissue injuries, bone fractures, ulcers, incisions, or tendon injuries. Ultrasound Therapy
pain relief and wound healing. Electrodes are placed on the body and an electrical current is run between them, forcing the muscle below to contract. This contraction can have one or more effects. It can strengthen a muscle that has atrophied, stop a muscle spasm, promote healing, reduce swelling, or enhance the effectiveness of medications. Electrical Stimulation has also been shown to aid in wound healing, depending on where the electrodes are placed and how they are spaced. Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) uses a low-intensity light to trigger changes within the cells below. Rather than using heat to create a thermal reaction the way some ultrasound therapy does, LLLT uses light to create a photochemical reaction, much like photosynthesis in plants. LLLT is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat hand and wrist pain that is common in carpal tunnel syndrome, and to treat pain in the muscles and joints associated with arthritis, muscle strains and sprains. Low-Level Laser Therapy
Since LLLT uses light instead of heat, it carries virtually no side effects and can be used in combination with other modalities for pain relief. It is important to remember that no two people's physical therapy experiences will be the same since no two people's goals, commitment, pain and fitness levels, and needs are the same. Your physical therapist will create customized goals, therapeutic exercises and series of modalities that will address your individual needs. For more information on what physical therapy is or to find out what physical therapy can do for you, contact us for a consultation and to discuss your needs. http://www.apta.org/AboutPTs/ h t t p s : // w w w . n c b i . n l m . n i h . g o v / pubmed/18198783 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC4743666/ Sources
Electrical Stimulation
Also known as E-Stim, electrical stimulation is commonly used in physical therapy for
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