Week 9

Question 1

Types of physical agents in THERMAL category and examples

Answer 1

1) Deep heat (ultrasound, laser)

2) Superficial heat (ultrasound, hot packs)

3) Cold (cold packs)

Question 2

Types of physical agents in MECHANICAL category and examples

Answer 2

1) Traction (self traction)

2) Compression (bandages, tape)

3) Water (hydrotherapy)

4) Sound (ultrasound)

Question 3

Types of physical agents in ELECTRICAL category and examples

Answer 3

1) Elctromagnetic fields (laser, UV)

2) Electric currents (EMS, TENS, IFC)

Question 4

Why do we use physical agents?

Answer 4

Reduce pain and inflammation

Reduce extent of tissue damage following injury

Promote tissue healing

Enhance patients ability to complete rehab exercises

Alter muscle tone

Question 5

When should we not use physical modalities?

Answer 5

Pregnancy

Malignancy

Pacemaker or other implanted electronic device

Impaired sensation

Impaired cognition

Question 6

What are the benefits of PULSED ultrasound?

Answer 6

Promotes healing

Helps reduce inflammation

mechanical

Question 7

What are the benefits of CONTINUOUS ultrasound?

Answer 7

Increases circulation – helps with movement

Primarily for muscle, tendon, and ligments

thermal

Question 8

What do the numbers on ultrasound mean?

Answer 8

Frequency - how deep are you treating?
- Hz – cycles per second

Duty cycle - how long is it on?
- More acute = less time it is on

Size of sound head - Choice determined by body part to be treated

Intensity - how strong is it?
- Acute injury = less strong

Time - how long do you do it for?
–> Depends how big the injury is – bigger area takes more time

Question 9

Precautions for ultrasound

Answer 9

–> Yellow light
-Acute inflammation (pulsed mode only)
-Epiphyseal plates
-Fractures (can be used as diagnostic)
-Breast implants
-Impaired sensation
-Disorientation and/or confusion
-Pregnancy

Question 10

Contraindications for ultrasound

Answer 10

–> red light
-Malignancy
-Open wounds
-Pacemaker
-Thrombophlebitis
-Eyes and reproductive organs
-DVT – deep vein thrombosis
-Cancer

Question 11

Benefits of EMS

Answer 11

1)Get a contraction
2) Get a better (stronger) contraction
3) Help remember how it feels

When use it?
1) After surgery/injury
 Very common in knee injuries
2) Neurological disorders (stroke)
3) Performance

Red to the head (black lead goes on the muscle I want to contract, red is closer to head

Question 12

What do the numbers on EMS mean?

Answer 12

Frequency/PR(pulse rate) - pulses per second

Pulse width - how long is each pulse

On:Off - time
–> Muscle needs a rest

Ramp - how fast to 100%

Treatment time

Question 13

Precautions with EMS

Answer 13

• Poor sensation
• Poor communication ability
• Electrode over bony prominence
• Poor sensation
• Poor communication ability
• Open wound
• Cardiac disease

Question 14

Contraindications with EMS

Answer 14

• Pregnancy (across abdomen)
• Pacemaker (current across thorax, shoulder), or other implantable device
• Over known or suspected thrombosis
• Skin conditions eg. Eczema, psoriasis
• Epilepsy