Introduction to Physical Agents

Question 1

A method of applying energy, force, and
equipment or material to a patient’s body.

Answer 1

Physical Agents

Question 2

Categories of Physical Agents

Answer 2

Thermal
Mechanical
Electromagnetic

Question 3

An equipment/ material that could either increase or
decrease tissue temperature.

Answer 3

Thermal

Question 4

A type of agent that can increase or decrease pressure on the body. It could either put pressure or reduce the pressure

Answer 4

MECHANICAL

Question 5

A form of treatment that uses water as a form of
providing therapeutic effects or benefits to a
patient.

Answer 5

Hydrotherapy

Question 6

Helps patients with ADHD vis treatment
with warm water, which helps the patient relax.
The cold water helps in reducing inflammation.

Answer 6

Thermal Conductivity

Question 7

An upward thrust allowing the body to float in
water. We could maximize this force as
a form of treatment in rehabilitation. It
relieves pressure by decreasing the force of
our collective/body as it hits the ground. It produces
low-impact forces on certain joints in our
body. It facilitates weight-bearing activities.

Answer 7

Buoyant Force

Question 8

The amount of weight an object/person; whether
it floats in water. (Density of water is 1, if greater than 1 it will sink, if less than 1 it will float)

Answer 8

Density

Question 9

Form of pressure that is exerted all throughout
the body as it is immersed underwater.
The deeper the water, the greater the pressure being exerted on distal parts of the body. According to
Pascal’s Law. Decreased edema because HP can help
regulate blood circulation. Also helps in decreasing blood pooling in the lower extremities.

Answer 9

Hydrostatic Pressure

Question 10

A force that separates certain joints or body
structure. Spinal decompression unit.

Answer 10

Traction

Question 11

Approximates a particular joint or body structure.

Answer 11

Compression

Question 12

An agent that uses radiation/rays or electric
current. Emits heat/energy.

Answer 12

Electromagnetic

Question 13

● disease or injury
● Refers to the medical condition; alteration on the
anatomy or the function of the body leading to a
medical condition.

Answer 13

Pathology

Question 14

Abnormality of structure or function
● Primary level of which physical agents have
direct effects
● Anatomical/Physiological loss.

Answer 14

Impairment

Question 15

Restrictions in the ability to perform components
of daily life

Answer 15

Functional Limitation

Question 16

Inability to perform typical activities of daily living.

Answer 16

Disability

Question 17

A form of energy generated because of the two different temperatures; one is higher than the other, causing an energy.

Answer 17

Heat

Question 18

Boiling point

Answer 18

Fahrenheit: 212 F
Celsius: 100 C
Kelvin: 373 K

Question 19

Freezing point

Answer 19

Fahrenheit: 32 F
Celsius: 0 C
Kelvin: 273 K

Question 20

The amount of heat an object can hold.

Answer 20

Heat Capacity

Question 21

A principle that helps us understand the amount of
the heat that is being gained or lost in an object.

Answer 21

Heat Capacity

Question 22

Amount of energy required to increase the
the temperature of a given material by a given number
of degrees

Answer 22

Specific Heat

Question 23

Specific Heat of Various Materials

Answer 23

➔ Specific Heat of Various Materials
◆ Water 4.19 J/g/C
◆ Air 1.01 J/g/C
◆ Average Human Body 3.56 J/g/C
◆ Skin 3.77 J/g/C
◆ Muscle 3.75 J/g/C
◆ Fat 2.30 J/g/C
◆ Bone 1.59 J/g/C

Question 24

True or False:
Heat energy always moves from HOT object →
COOLER object.

Answer 24

True

Question 25

Sources of Heat

Answer 25

Chemical Mechanical Electrical Current Thermal

Question 26

Referring to something related to food metabolism. - Fuel burning

Answer 26

Chemical

Question 27

In relation to friction. - Rub or shear forces to another object, it may produce heat. Examples: Rubbing your hands together

Answer 27

Mechanical

Question 28

Through the use of electricity.

Answer 28

Electrical Current

Question 29

The sun is a primary source of ________

Answer 29

Thermal heat

Question 30

How heat is transferred from one object to another.

Answer 30

Energy Transfer:

Question 31

a. Heat is transferred through a material by being passed from one particle to the next.

Answer 31

Conduction

Question 32

a. Takes place in a material where particles can move around inside the material, i.e. liquid or gas

Answer 32

Convection

Question 33

Heat transfer by movements of air or fluid from a warmer area to a cooler area or moving past a cooler body part

Answer 33

Convection

Question 34

e. Heat transfers from a warmer object to a cooler object through direct molecular interaction of objects in physical contact.

Answer 34

Conduction

Question 35

The rate of heat transfer depends on the temperature difference between the two objects

Answer 35

Conduction

Question 36

A transfer of heat directly from the source to the object by a wave or by a ray or radiation.

Answer 36

Radiation

Question 37

transfer of heat from a warmer object to a cooler object through the transmission of electromagnetic energy without heating an intervening medium.

Answer 37

Radiation

Question 38

It's an absorption of energy as the result of the conversion of a material from a liquid to a vapor. b. Example: Vapocoolant sprays used in acute injuries.

Answer 38

Evaporation

Question 39

a. Temperature changes result when energy is transformed from one form to another. b. Example: Mech energy → Thermal energy c. Modality: Therapeutic ultrasound

Answer 39

Conversion

Question 40

Refers to the vessels; the arteries, veins, and capillaries.

Answer 40

Hemodynamic effects

Question 41

When we apply heat to the patient locally, on certain areas of the body, it could cause ____________.

Answer 41

Vasodilation

Question 42

a. stimulated cutaneous thermoreceptors; causes vasodilation of local/adjacent blood vessels b. Increase local release of chemical mediators of inflammation

Answer 42

Reflex Vasodilation

Question 43

True or False: Vasodilation is the narrowing of the blood vessels

Answer 43

False: Widening

Question 44

True or False: Vasodilation causes an increase in blood flow to the heated area.

Answer 44

True

Question 45

Heating and increase in blood flow will increase the capillary pressure and permeability of the cells.

Answer 45

Increased fluid dynamics

Question 46

Hemodynamic Effects includes

Answer 46

1. Vasodilation 2. Increased fluid dynamics

Question 47

Elevation of muscle temperature by 42C has been shown to result in:

Answer 47

○ Decreased firing rate of type II muscle spindle and gamma efferent fibers which reducing afferent firing from the spindles ○ increased firing rate of type lb fibers from GTO (Golgi Tendon Organ) that leads to reflex inhibitory effect of the respective muscle. ● Stimulation of Alpha motor neurons that allow muscular spasm and relaxation of muscle.

Question 48

NCV increase by how much?

Answer 48

2m/sec for every 1 deg C (1.8deg F) increase in temperature

Question 49

Neuromuscular effects include

Answer 49

A. Changes in nerve conduction velocity and firing rate B. Increased pain threshold

Question 50

Refers to the free nerve ending pacinian corpuscles merkel's disc, and meissners

Answer 50

Sensory Receptors

Question 51

A-beta, C-fibers, and A-delta fibers.

Answer 51

Sensory fibers

Question 52

Fibers responsible for pain

Answer 52

C and A Delta fibers

Question 53

● responsible for pain; ● myelinated; allows saltatory conduction which causes speeding up of transmission (Hoping of impulses because of nodes of ranvier). ● Transmission of pain is faster ● Referred to as acute pain. (Sharp type of pain

Answer 53

A-delta fibers

Question 54

● Also pain receptor. ● Unmyelinated; no saltatory conduction kaya mas mabagal ang transmission of impulses ● Referred to as chronic pain. Manifestation of pain occurs at a later time

Answer 54

C-fibers

Question 55

● Medium-sized fiber that is myelinated. ● Not a pain receptor; ● Signals/Sensation: tapping, rubbing, scratching, deep touch, temperature, or pressure

Answer 55

A-beta fibers

Question 56

Activation of ______ fibers leads to inhibition of pain receptors. (Application of heat)

Answer 56

A-beta fibers

Question 57

Activation of spinal gating mechanism through stimulation of free nerve ending (A-beta/Free nerve ending) leads to blocking the transmission of pain at the level of the spinal cord.

Answer 57

Direct Mechanism

Question 58

Heat leads to vasodilation and increased blood flow resulting in reducing pain through which what mechanism?

Answer 58

Indirect mechanism

Question 59

Change in the firing rate of type II fibers, gamma efferent and Ib fibers from Golgi's tendon organ.

Answer 59

Change in muscle strength

Question 60

Metabolic effects includes:

Answer 60

Increase Metabolic rate

Question 61

True or False: The older the patient, the longer the heating time. The younger the patient is, the shorter the heating time.

Answer 61

True

Question 62

True or False: 10 - 15 mins is already sufficient to produce tissue extensibility to younger individuals, but to older patients, it must reach 30 mins.

Answer 62

True

Question 63

SYSTEMIC EFFECTS includes:

Answer 63

Generalized skin vasodilatation Generalized sweating Increase pulse rate Increase respiratory rate Decrease blood pressure

Question 64

Therapeutic effects of heat

Answer 64

A. Pain control B. Increase range of motion and decrease joint stiffness C. Accelerate healing

Question 65

General indications of thermal agents

Answer 65

➔ Subacute and chronic pain ➔ Subacute and chronic inflammation ➔ Subacute and chronic infection ➔ Tissue healing ➔ Muscle spasm ➔ Reduction of edema ➔ Prior to range of motion exercise

Question 66

General contraindications of thermal agents

Answer 66

➔ Acute injuries ( sprain & strain) ➔ Acute inflammation ➔ Impaired circulation ➔ Impaired sensation ➔ Neoplasm

Question 67

Factors Affecting These Physiological Effects

Answer 67

➔ Size of the heated area ➔ Depth of absorption of specific radiation ➔ Duration of heating ➔ Frequency of treatment ➔ Intensity of radiation ➔ Method of application