Introduction To Electrotherapy Flashcards
What is electrotherapy ?
Exogenous electric current/energy applied to human body to alter physiological and pathological processes in order to:
- treat a disease and
- heal/repair tissue.
Forms of electrotherapy
- external equipment
- electrophysical agent
- internal devices
Examples of internal devices used in electrotherapy
Pacemakers
Implanted stimulators
Other names of electrotherapy
Electrotherapeutics
Medical electricity
Three major uses for electrotherapy
Treatment
Evaluation
Prevention
Some energies are used for the purpose of treatment as they produce effects at the cellular tissue, organic and whole-body levels. What are these energies?
Electromagnetic
Acoustic
Mechanical
What is the aim of using electrotherapy for treatment ?
Achieve physiological and clinical effects which serve to MAINTAIN and optimize patient’s health
What can be used for evaluation to assist with diagnosis, guide treatment procedures and evaluate treatment outcomes ?
Ultrasound imaging
Electro neurophysiological testing (EMG)
How can electrotherapy be used for preventative measures?
- prevents muscle atrophy
- prevents pathological changes
- muscle-tendon unit shortness
- contracture
- muscle weakness
What pathological changes may result from immobility ?
Muscle-tendon unit shortness
Contracture
Muscle weakness
Physical therapy treatment plans involve ?
When delivering EPAs, what are required to achieve good clinical practice
Efficiency + effectiveness
Types of EPAs
Who uses electrotherapy ?
What does EPA stand for?
Electrophysical agents
