Physio-Articles

  WHAT IS MICROWAVE DIATHERMY THERAPY Microwave diathermy is one of the deep heating modality using a form of electromagnetic radiations called microwaves which is been used for therapeutic purpose, and the most widely used therapeutic frequency and wavelength for microwave diathermy is 2450 MHz and 12.245 cm respectively. these waves lie between shortwaves and infrared waves in the electromagnetic spectrum. and the frequencies lie in the range of 300 - 30,000 MHz and wavelengths of 10 mm per meter. Frequency (MHz)               Wavelengths (cm)      2450                                         12.245      916                                           32.79      433.9                                        69.14 PRODUCTION OF MICROWAVE RADIATION The microwave radiations can be produced in the modality circuit which is designed as: (1) Power supply: this is the alternating current (AC) source from the main supply  (2) Intensity control: this is where the intensity of the current can be

  WHAT IS PULSED SHORTWAVE DIATHERMY (PSWD) Pulsed short wave diathermy is also short wave diathermy but pulsed at the rate selected by the therapist. the pulsed frequency range from 15 Hz to 200 Hz and the maximum intensity produced by the machine is 1000 watts. while the pulsed duration is constant at 0.4 ms and square pulses are used. there are no cumulative thermal effects in pulsed short wave diathermy because the pulsing output of the machine is produced by one pulse which is in very short duration, as it is dissipated by the circulation before the next pulse occurs. GENERATION OF PULSED SHORTWAVE DIATHERMY In pulsed short wave diathermy each pulse train has a preset duration or on time and is separated from successive pulse trains by an off time, that is determined by the pulse repetition rate or frequency depending on the pulsed radio frequency radiation (PRFR) device. the pulse frequency can be varied from 1 to 7000 pulses per second and is selected with a pulse frequency cont

WHAT IS SHORTWAVE DIATHERMY  Short wave diathermy (SWD) is one of the deep heating modality because the term "diathermy" means to heat through, with high frequency of 27.12 MHz and wavelength of 12 m. It is    the application of deep heat to the body tissues by using electromagnetic waves that produce heat, but are non-ionizing.  COMPONENTS OF SHORTWAVE DIATHERMY There are two main circuits and both are coupled applied to get proper effect.  a. Machine circuit/Oscillator circuit: It produces high frequency current and amplifies its intensity.  b. Patient circuit/resonator circuit: It transfers the electrical energy to the patient, when coupled to the machine circuit by inductors and this energy is transferred in the form of electromagnetic field.  Sub-components of the main components: a. Main circuit circuit: Main supply Transformer Triode valve Grid leak circuit Oscillator b. Patient circuit: Resonator coil Resonator condenser Electrode Ammeter Tissues. METHODS OF APPLICATI

WHAT IS HYDRO-COLLATOR BATH THERAPY Hydrocollator bath therapy is application of moist heat as therapeutic agent and is one of the oldest forms of medicine. but these days efficient automatic units which produce a uniform and constant temperature to heat steam packs. these automatic units provide physiotherapists with a constant supply of ready to use heated packs. these automatic heating units are called hydrocollator units. The hydrocollator units are stainless steel tanks in which silica gel packs are heated. the abilities of the machines are vary and all these units have insulated bases, the units contain a wire rack which acts as a divider for the packs and prevent contact of the packs with bottom of the tank, moreover these units contain heater which is thermostatically controlled and maintains water in the unit at a temperature between 76°C and 80°C. It can be felt on continuously as long as there is sufficient water in the tank.  Hydrocollator pack is a fabric envelope containi

WHAT IS HYDROTHERAPY Hydrotherapy is also known as water therapy which in medical term implies using water for therapeutic purpose or simply treatment by water in which water is used as a medium for exercise and provides several opportunities, which are not available in exercise and also hydrotherapy is one of the oldest therapeutic method for the management of body physical dysfunction. Hydrotherapy has been advocated for the treatment of joint stiffness, painful scars, arthritis and adhesions as warm up with exercise. hydrotherapy is used due to the therapeutic properties of water for the effects on body tissues of heating, cooling, debridement, pain relief and relaxation of muscles. when hydrotherapy is not planned well or well performed, it can give side effects, especially on cardio-vascular system, this water therapy is used for the treatment of various diseases, additionally hydrothermal therapy has temperature effects, as in hot baths, saunas, wraps e.t.c. Mostly non-weight bea

WHAT IS FLUIDOTHERAPY Fluidotherapy is also known as fluidized therapy which is a high intensity heating modality that consist of dry heat agent which transfer heat energy or its energy by forced convection to the body soft tissues and produce therapeutic effects. Borrell and coworkers suggested that for superficial heating, it is irrevalent weather the modality produces wet or dry heat, provided that the skin temperature is raised to the same temperature by both agents. the fluidotherapy system is using finely solid particles suspended in a heated air stream (air-fluidized solids) acting as the heat transfer medium. METHOD OF APPLICATION OF FLUIDOTHERAPY Fluidotherapy units come in variety of sizes that's why there are units for treating the distal extremities and larger joints and also there are larger model available for the treatment of the back, for joints and distal body parts. During the treatment the patient places the body part to be treated through entrance sleeve of the

WHAT IS CONTRAST BATH THERAPY Contrast bath is defined as the therapeutic alternative procedure or technique of applying both heat and cold alternatively by immersion of the body part in hot and cold water in alternative way with certain amount of control to help the body temperature mechanism to be maintained. this alternative method of treatment is very important for improving circulation in injured tissues. METHOD OF APPLICATION OF CONTRAST BATH THERAPY Fill the two baths of appropriate size depending on the body part (limb) to be treated, one bath fill with hot water at 40°C to 45°C and the other bath with cold water at 15°C. then the treatment should begin in cold water and end in hot water but some therapist prefer to start with hot water and end in cold water. immerse the limb in hot water for 3 minutes and after 3 minutes immediately and alternatively remove the limb from hot water and immerse the limb in cold water for 1 minute. repeat the cycle up to 3 times and maintain the