Physical Modalities in Rehabilitation

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Foundations & Thermotherapy - Warming Up, Cooling Down

  • Physical Modalities: Therapeutic application of physical agents (thermal, mechanical, electromagnetic) to aid rehabilitation.

Heat and Cold Therapy Modalities

FeatureSuperficial HeatCryotherapy
TypesHot packs, paraffin wax, fluidotherapy, infrared (IR)Ice packs, vapocoolant sprays, cold baths
Physio. Effects↑Blood flow, ↑metabolism, ↓pain, ↓muscle spasm, ↑collagen extensibilityInitial ↓blood flow, ↓metabolism, ↓pain, ↓muscle spasm, ↓edema
IndicationsChronic pain, joint stiffness, muscle spasm. Temp: 40-45°C; 15-30 minAcute injury (📌RICE), pain, muscle spasm. Duration: 10-20 min
Contraind.Acute inflammation, impaired sensation, malignancy, active hemorrhageCold hypersensitivity (e.g., Raynaud's), impaired circulation, open wounds

Deep Heat & Ultrasound - Penetrating Power

Deep heat: ↑ blood flow, ↓ pain, ↑ tissue extensibility.

  • SWD (Shortwave Diathermy): Deepest (3-5cm). ⚠️ Burns with metal implants. CIs: Pacemakers, malignancy.
  • MWD (Microwave Diathermy): Superficial (1-3cm). ⚠️ Higher risk with superficial metal. CIs: Pacemakers, malignancy.
  • US (Therapeutic Ultrasound):
    • Freq: $1MHz$ (deep, ~5cm), $3MHz$ (superficial, ~1-2cm). Intensity: $0.5-2.0 W/cm^2$.
    • Modes: Continuous (thermal), Pulsed (non-thermal/healing).
    • CIs: Malignancy, eyes, pregnancy, DVT, epiphyseal plates. Phonophoresis.
FeatureSWDMWDUS ($1MHz$/$3MHz$)
PenetrationDeep (3-5cm)Moderate (1-3cm)Deep (~5cm)/Superficial (~1-2cm)
HeatingDiffuse, largeFocused, smallerSmall, defined
Key CIsMetal implants, pacemakersSuperficial metal, pacemakersMalignancy, eyes, growth plates

⭐ Ultrasound is contraindicated over epiphyseal plates in growing children.

Electrotherapy - Shockingly Effective

ModalityMechanismPrimary UseKey Params (e.g.)CIs (Key) 📌
TENSGate Control TheoryPain reliefConv: $80-120 Hz$, $50-100 µs$; Acu: $2-5 Hz$, $200-300 µs$Pacemaker, over carotid sinus
IFTInterferential currents → beat freqDeeper pain reliefCarrier: $~4000 Hz$; Beat: $1-150 Hz$Similar to TENS
NMES/FESNerve depolarisation → muscle contractionMuscle re-ed/strength, FES (drop foot)PD: $200-600 µs$; Freq: $30-50 Hz$; On:Off: 1:3 (strength)Similar to TENS, unstable fractures

⭐ IFT utilizes two medium-frequency currents (e.g., $4000 Hz$ and $4100 Hz$) that interfere to produce a lower therapeutic beat frequency (e.g., $100 Hz$), allowing deeper tissue penetration with less discomfort than TENS.

Mechanical & Other Forces - Move & Mend

  • Traction: Spinal/limb pull (Cervical/Lumbar; types).

    • Effects: Decompresses spine, separates nerve roots.
    • Ind: Nerve root impingement/disc herniation. CIs: Malignancy, instability, acute injury.
    • Force: Cervical ~7-10$kg$ (5-7$%BW$); Lumbar 25-50$%BW$.
  • Massage: Tissue work (Effleurage, Petrissage, Friction, Tapotement).

    • Effects: ↑Circulation, ↓muscle spasm/edema.
    • Ind: Muscle soreness, lymphedema. CIs: Open wounds, DVT, acute inflammation.
  • LLLT (Photobiomodulation): Light healing; Mech: ↑ATP.

    • Params: 600-1000$nm$, 5-500$mW$, 1-10$J/cm^2$.
    • Ind: Wound healing, pain (OA). CIs: Malignancy, eyes, gravid uterus.
  • ESWT: Acoustic waves for repair (Focused/Radial).

    • Mech: Microtrauma → neovascularization.
    • Ind: Chronic tendinopathies (plantar fasciitis). CIs: Coagulopathy, infection.

⭐ ESWT: effective for chronic plantar fasciitis if conservative therapy fails.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Ultrasound (US): 1 MHz for deep, 3 MHz for superficial tissues; pulsed US for non-thermal effects.
  • Shortwave Diathermy (SWD): Contraindicated: metal implants, pacemakers due to deep heat.
  • TENS: Relieves pain via gate control theory or opioid release; high-frequency for acute pain.
  • Cryotherapy: Reduces pain, inflammation, spasticity. Contraindicated: Raynaud's, cold urticaria.
  • NMES/FES: Aids muscle strengthening, re-education, prevents atrophy, manages spasticity.
  • ESWT: Treats chronic tendinopathies (e.g., plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow).

Practice Questions: Physical Modalities in Rehabilitation

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Flashcards: Physical Modalities in Rehabilitation

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active physiotherapy

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