Intro to Electrophysical Agents

Question 1

function of electrophysical agents

Answer 1

pain relief
influence proliferation and inflammatory process
reduce swelling 
re-educate and strengthen muscle
an adjunctive treatment

Question 2

features of electrophysical agents

Answer 2

electrotherapy + physical agents
-treatment of patients by electrical means
Applying forces to the body
Brings about physiological change

Question 3

example of electrophysical agents

Answer 3

shockwave
Laser
TENS
Heat 
Cold
NMES 
Ultrasound

Question 4

purpose of shockwave and LASER therapy as an electrophysical agents

Answer 4

promote healing

LASER affects collagenous tissue

Question 5

purpose of TENS as an electrophysical agents

Answer 5

Pain relief

stimulates nerves

Question 6

purpose of NMES as an electrophysical agents

Answer 6

Strengthening

Question 7

purpose of heat as an electrophysical agents

Answer 7

Pain relief, promote healing

Question 8

purpose of cold as an electrophysical agents

Answer 8

Reduce Swelling, pain relief

Question 9

how does electrotherapy affect electric cell activity

Answer 9

ions and molecules move across cell membrane against concentration and electrical gradient (active transport which requires ATP)
electrically active membrane potential of -70mV
Electrophysical agent adjust excitement level

Question 10

tissue that affects electrophysical agents

Answer 10

muscle
bones 
nerves 
tendons
ligaments

Question 11

3 phases in healing process

Answer 11

inflammation
proliferation
remodelling

Question 12

describe duration, purpose and changes during inflammation phase of healing

Answer 12

acute - 24-48 hrs
sub acute- 10-14 days
purpose remove dead tissue and invading organisms or bodies
vascular and cellular changes occur during this phase

Question 13

describe the vascular changes that occur during inflammation

Answer 13

platelet activation and coagulation occurs - form matrix
vasoconstriction occurs - minimise blood loss
release histamine and prostaglandin
increase blood vessel permeability - release fibrinogen(bind platelets together), globulin and albumin (blood clotting)

Question 14

describe cellular changes during inflammation

Answer 14

neutrophils released - phagocytosis occurs
monocytes differentiate into macrophages
phagocyte and release collagenase and proteoglycan degrading enzymes

Question 15

describe proliferation phase of healing

Answer 15

lasts 3-4 weeks

granulation tissue - fibroblasts(new skin cells), angiogenesis (new blood circulation)

Question 16

describe remodelling phase of healing

Answer 16

cna take months
more fibrous less vascular
strength of wound increases from 15% or O.G tissue to 70-80%
Type III collagen replaced w/ type II

Question 17

describe pain pathway

Answer 17

Pain/Temperature (lateral spinothalamic tract):
Peripheral nerve →
Spinal cord, synapses w/ 2nd order neuron and decussates to the contralateral side →
Contralateral side to the thalamus →
Third order neuron in the thalamus →
Postcentral gyrus (contralateral to the original sensation).

Question 18

describe pain receptors

Answer 18

nociceptors 3 types 
mechanical 
chemical 
thermal 
polymodal

Question 19

location of nociceptors

Answer 19

Found in the skin, muscle, joints, bone, and organs (other than the brain)

Question 20

what chemicals do pain receptors release and what is its purpose?

Answer 20

Release of chemicals e.g. substance P,prostaglandins

Convert the initial stimuli into electrical activity – action potentials

Question 21

central pathway of nociceptors

Answer 21

from site of pain to dorsal horn of spinal cord
synapse second order neuron
cross midline to ascend to spinothalamic and spinoreticular tracts

Question 22

list 3 endogenous opiates

Answer 22

enkephalins
beta endorphins
dynorphins

Question 23

list 2 types of enkephalins and what receptor enkephalins bind to

Answer 23

Leu-enkephalin and Met-enkephalins

delta and mu opiate

Question 24

how does endorphins inhibit pain stimuli and what receptors do they bind to

Answer 24

inhibit Ca2+ influx -> stop release of substance P and glutamate
bind to mu receptors

Question 25

what receptors do dynorphins bind to

Answer 25

kappa receptors

Question 26

list 3 different pain fibres involved in pain gate theory

Answer 26

A delta
A beta
C polymodal

Question 27

describe A delta pain fibres and its purpose

Answer 27

myelinated pain afferents, react noxious stimuli related to pain or tissue damage (short period of time)

Question 28

describe c polymodal fibres and its purpose

Answer 28

slow conducting, non-myelinated carry info about dull, throbbing pain (long period of time) Anti-pain*

Question 29

describe a beta fibres and its purpose

Answer 29

myelinated mechanical (touch) sensitive afferents, activated by rubbing, massage, heat inhibit perception of pain

Question 30

physiological effect of shockwave therapy

Answer 30

Tissue Temperature Increase
Increased Blood Flow (Vasodilation)
Increased Venous and Lymphatic Flow
Increased Metabolism
Changes In Physical Properties of Tissues
Muscle Relaxation
Analgesia

Question 31

how does muscle and bone react to shockwave therapy

Answer 31

composed of ions and dipolar
Ions = accelerate along lines of electric field. The alternate direction at the same frequency of the oscillating electric field. The kinetic energy is converted into heat energy.
Dipolar = dipolar molecules rotate at the same frequency as the oscillating electric and generate some heat

Question 32

why is fat tissue non responsive to shock wave therapy

Answer 32

Fat has a high non-polar molecule content – less responsive.