Physical Therapy

Modalities should be considered an adjunct to an active treatment therapy in the management of pain. They should never be used as the sole therapeutic method. The prescribing doctor should first have a clear understanding of each modality type and be aware of all indications and contraindications.

Types of modalities: electrotherapy, ultrasound, laser, electromagnetic field, superficial heat, cryotherapy, infrared therapy etc.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a deep heating modality that uses high-frequency audibility sound waves for therapy.

The therapy causes both a thermal and mechanic effect. The mechanical effect occurs as a micro massage or vibration. The strong compressions and expansion works like an intense massage and causes tissue oscillations. Thermal effect arise due to resorption of the waves in the tissue, heating it and improving connective tissue distensibility and promotes stretching.

The therapy is painless and actually not noticeable. Some of the patients can feel only a warm sensation in the treated area.

A special form of ultrasound therapy is sonophoresis, or transdermal drug delivery (TDD),. Sonophoresis is a technique that temporarily increases skin permeability so that various medical molecules can be delivered noninvasively and unmodified directly to the injuried or inflamated area.

Through sonophoresis we can apply:

• steroids
• anti-inflamatory drugs
• anaesthetics

The best composition to use for sonophoresis is gel form of the medicines, because it is most efficiently absorbed.

For the best therapeutic effect, combining sonophoresis or ultrasound together with another treatment is recommended.