Therapeutic modalities used for physiotherapy treatment (modalities therapy 2024 info)
Definition of therapeutic modalities
“Therapeutic modalities are the electrical machines ,physical, mechanical devices , tools and techniques that are used to cure the patient of injuries, stroke, dysfunction, and pain by using modified current ,other devices and appliances”. Therapeutic modalities(healing modalities) are the tools are appliance used for treatment or healing process”. They could be used in conditions like injuries , stroke, dysfunction and pain treatment. Most of them are automatic and some are manually used. These are also called healing modalities. They are often known as physiotherapy treatment modalities of treatment modalities.
Types of physio modalities
- Electrical modalities
- Non electrical modalities
List of physical therapy modalities
Thermotherapy
- Hot packs
- Paraffina or wax bath
- Infrared(IR)
Cryotherapy
- Cold packs
- Ice bath
Kinesiology Taping
Body electrical stimulator
- neuromuscular or electrical muscle stimulator(NMES or EMS)
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation machine (TENS)
- Soft tissue massager
- Functional electrical stimulator machine (FES)
Other electrical modalities
- Short wave diathermy (SWD)
- Heat wave diathermy
- Traction (LT and CT )
- Ultrasound therapy (ULT)
- Infrared therapy(IRT)
- Continuous passive motion (CPM)
Advance electrical modalities
- Virtual assistance ROM games
- Laser therapy
- Biofeedback therapy
Practical techniques
Why are modalities used(benefits or indications)?
- Manage pain
- Increase tissue healing
- Reduce swelling and inflammation
- Enhance mobility and fitness
- Muscle relaxation and reduce spasm
- Enhance healing
- Regain or gain muscle power
- Improve blood circulation
- Improve neuromuscular control
- Improve healing
- Relax body and mind
- Increase range of motion
Cryotherapy
“Cold packs or ice packs are packs of ice cube or gel-like material that are used at affected areas in the acute injury phase”. They are used to decrease inflammation ,pain, and muscle spasm.
Therapeutic effects
- Cryotherapy does Vasoconstriction narrow the blood vessels and decrease swelling.
- Cryotherapy does reduce muscle excitability to decrease muscle soreness and alleviate muscle spasm.
- Cryotherapy decreases nerves transmission to reduce the pain.
- Cryotherapy minimizes metabolism rate and oxygen supply to tissues to prevent cellular damage
Heat therapy
Heat therapy is done by heat pack or other way by using a bearable heat on the affected area to decrease pain, stiffness, and stress by enhancing blood flow.
Therapeutic effects
- Pain relief: heat therapy relieves pain by muscle relaxing, decreasing spasm ,stiffness and soreness.
- Blood flow: heat therapy increases blood flow by dilating blood vessels. This act promotes healing.
- Reduce stress: Heat therapy reduces stress as it promotes relaxation.
- Promote healing: Heat therapy enhances healing as it increases blood flow that removes toxic and metabolic wastes.
- Muscle relaxation : heat therapy relaxes the tight muscles and increases tissue elasticity. That’s why ROM increases.
