Physio-Articles

WHAT IS SHOCK WAVE Shock wave is a type of propagating wave that moves faster than the normal speed of sound and it shows a high-energy sound waves that determines in a bursting of energy similar to that of a mini-explosion. WHAT IS EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE THERAPY Extracorporeal refers to any medical procedure which is performed outside the body. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is application of shock waves which are generated through a fluid medium and coupling gel to activate the transmission of the shock wave energy into the body tissues to produce therapeutic effects. But in order for the ESWT to be therapeutic, shock wave energy should be focused directly at the point of the treatment site or part that is the existing pathology. Chung and Wiley et al, explained extracorporeal shock wave therapy according to energy categories: Low energy category (<0.08mJ/mm2)  Medium energy category (0.08 to 0.28mJ/mm2) High energy category (>0.6mJ/mm2) MAIN IMPORTANCE OF SHOCK WAVE Shoc

WHAT IS RUSSIAN CURRENT Russian current is defined as frequency sinusoidal treatment alternating current (biphasic), which consist of frequencies from the range of 2,400Hz to 2500Hz band and pulse at various rates. WHAT IS RUSSIAN CURRENT THERAPY Russian current therapy is the stimulation produced by the application of russian current in which the continuous sine wave output of the current of about 2,500Hz, modulated to produce 50 bursts per second, this stimulation produce therapeutic effect when passed through the body tissues which has been reported to be effective in the management of athletic type injuries. Russian Current Stimulation Diagram The above picture is showing the Russian current clinical cases during russian current therapy session. USES OF RUSSIAN CURRENT Used for pain relief  For facilitating muscle contraction  For strengthening of muscle.  

  Interferential Therapy Modality WHAT IS INTERFERENTIAL CURRENT  Interferential current: is a low frequency current effect produced at the point of intersection of two medium frequency currents. WHAT IS INTERFERENTIAL CURRENT THERAPY Interferential current therapy: is the application of electrical energy through the body tissues where by alternating currents of two medium frequency of 4000Hz, with slightly different frequencies intersect and produce an Amplitude Modulated Current of low frequency by the effect of interference. PRINCIPLE OF INTERFERENTIAL CURRENT THERAPY The principle of interferential therapy: state that when two medium frequency currents of slightly different frequencies are passed through the body tissues, simultaneously. they interfere with each other and produce a low frequency current effect at the point of intersection. 4000 + 4100/2 = 4050Hz: this is the summation of the individual current amplitudes at any given point. which interfere to produce low frequency

WHAT IS MUSCLE STIMULATOR   Muscle stimulator is also known as electrical neuromuscular stimulator modality or electromyostimulator modality which is defined as the electrotherapy modality used for the stimulation of muscle contraction by using electric impulses generated by the modality to penetrate the skin through the electrodes placed on the skin near the muscle being stimulated.  COMPONENTS OF MUSCLE STIMULATOR MODALITY Muscle stimulator modality consist of two therapeutic electric currents whereby each therapeutic electric current has its own use in the stimulation of muscle contraction: these  therapeutic electric currents include: (1) Faradic current (2) Galvanic current FARADIC CURRENT Faradic current:   is a short frequency therapeutic current which can be produced by using faradic coil that's why the "term faradism" is applied to the current. This short frequency therapeutic faradic current is of two types: Plain faradic current: has single stimulation without

WHAT IS TENS  Definition: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit is defined as low frequency analgesic physio-therapeutic modality which is designed based on control theory (i.e Gate theory of pain). WHAT IS TENS THERAPY TENS Therapy is the application of Electrotherapy modality or machine called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit, which is using low frequency current mainly used for management and control of pain, both acute and chronic type. GATE THEORY OF PAIN Gate theory of pain is the theory which was described by Melzack and Wall in 1965, this theory explains about a pain-modulating system in which a neural gate present in spinal cord can open and close. therefore modulating the perception of pain. So this TENS unit modality was designed based on this "Gate theory of pain" for the therapeutic purpose of management and control of pain, both acute and chronic type. PRODUCTION OF TENS To produce the therapeutic effect of gate theory of

WHAT IS ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION (UVR) Ultraviolet radiation is defined as one of the electromagnetic energy radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum which lies between visible and X-ray radiations with wavelength range of 10nm to 400nm. WHAT IS ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION THERAPY Ultraviolet radiation therapy is the application of artificial ultraviolet radiation by using various ultraviolet radiation designed devices for various therapeutic purpose. however, sometimes natural ultraviolet radiation from sun can be used like in Heliotherapy. TYPES OF ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION       Types    Wavelength range  Penetration (1) UVA - 400nm to 315nm  -  Upto dermis (2) UVB - 315nm to 280nm  -   Deep epidermis  (3) UVC - 280nm to 100nm  -  Superficial epidermis PRODUCTION OF ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION The ultimate source of ultraviolet radiation is the sun, meanwhile ultraviolet radiation can be produced artificially by the passage of electric current through an ionized vapor especially mercury vapors.  ULTR

  WHAT IS INFRARED RADIATION Infrared radiation is defined as one of the electromagnetic energy radiations in the electromagnetic spectrum which lies between microwave and visible light radiations. infrared rays have wavelengths range between 750 to 400,000nm. WHAT IS INFRARED RADIATION THERAPY Infrared radiation therapy is the application of infrared radiation by using luminous and non-luminous infrared lamp for various therapeutic purpose. TYPES OF INFRARED RADIATION                 Type                         Wavelength range (1) Infrared radiation A (IRA) - 760 - 1400nm (2) Infrared radiation B (IRB) - 1400 - 3000nm (3) Infrared radiation C (IRC) - 3000nm - 1mm PRODUCTION OF INFRARED RADIATION Any heated material will produce infrared radiation, the wavelength being determined by the temperature. In Electrotherapy, the most convenient method or technique to produce infrared radiation is to heat a resistance wire by passing electric current through it.  SOURCES OF INFRARED RADIATIO

WHAT IS ELECTROTHERAPY Electrotherapy is the application of electrical energy as the primary source of energy for therapeutic purpose which include applications of various forms of different therapeutic frequency currents by using electrotherapy modalities to produce electrical impulses which will penetrate into the body tissues to give therapeutic and physiologic effects. SCOPE OF ELECTROTHERAPY Electrotherapy has been used since recent years back. which is a non-surgical treatment approach, characterized by the treatment of various diseases and disorders by electrical means. the basic physics of electricity used in electrotherapy include: light, heat, cold and mechanics. which physiotherapists used for therapeutic purpose and we all know these natural phenomena in our daily practice. Moreover, the electromagnetic spectrum, ranging from radio waves to gamma radiations. especially infrared, visible light and ultraviolet radiations are the main source of electrotherapy modalities which

In my previous writing, I wrote about therapeutic modalities used in Electrotherapy. Now I am going to talk about, therapeutic modalities used in Exercise therapy and Therapeutic massage techniques. As how I mentioned the indications or conditions that physiotherapist can apply one of the electrotherapy modalities on the patient's body for therapeutic purpose and contraindications that is conditions in which physiotherapist cannot apply electrotherapy modality on the patient's body for therapeutic purpose, same here. I will mention the indications and contraindications of therapeutic exercises and therapeutic massage techniques for therapeutic purpose by performing the therapeutic passive maneuver exercise on the patient's body who are unable to do the exercise or by guiding the patient to do so, if he or she is able to do the exercise or by prescribing the exercise to the patient to perform at home and performing therapeutic massage on the patient's body for therapeuti

 Therapeutic modalities (machines) refer to electrical modalities and non-electrical devices that physiotherapists used for treatment of patients with musculoskeletal, neurological and arthritis conditions e.t.c. There are different variety of therapeutic modalities used in physiotherapy for therapeutic purpose in Electrotherapy and Exercise therapy. THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES USED IN ELECTROTHERAPY The following are the indications i.e conditions in which physiotherapist can apply one of the electrotherapy therapeutic modalities on the patient's body for therapeutic purpose and contraindications i.e conditions in which physiotherapist cannot apply electrotherapy therapeutic modality on the patient's body. GENERAL INDICATIONS OF ELECTROTHERAPY MODALITIES Strains and sprains  Achilles tendinopathy Calcific tendinopathy of shoulder Frozen shoulder Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) Medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow) Capsule lesions Bursitis Sinusitis Lower back pain  Cervica