Therapeutic Modalities Modalities-treatment of injuries, including heating, cooling, and mechanical/electrical methods. What modalities do we use in our Training Room?

Therapeutic Modalities Modalities are used to relive pain, reduce or retard swelling, decrease spasm, and promote healing. When used properly they can minimize time lost, and shorten recovery time.

Therapeutic Modalities Important to remember, all modalities have indications (why you should use) and condraindications (why you should not use). Know these before you use any modality.

Thermal Modalities Thermal Modalities use thermal agents-heat and cold.

Thermal Modalities Cryotherapy-therapeutic use of cooling agents. Most often used modality in sports medicine. Includes- cold pack, cold bucket bath, ice massage

Cryotherapy (COLD) Helps to manage pain and swelling. vasoconstriction of blood vessels Decrease in nerve conduction to brain Reduce muscle spasm Then: Vasodialation occurs Increase in muscle strength after treatment

Cryotherapy Best choice of acute injuries Soon after an injury the better Application no longer than 20 minutes at one time 3-4x a day following injury

Cryotherapy Ice Packs-effective for local area injury. Cubes in a plastic bag. Commercial Gel Packs Chemical-activated cold pack Bag of vegetables/frozen rice

Cryotherapy Ice Massage-technique of rubbing ice over injured area. Local area icing Need to make sure area is draped for collection of water Treatment time only 5 minutes

Cryotherapy Cold Water Compression-systems designed to combine compression with cold simultaneously. Several shapes to accommodate different body parts. Some use gravity, some use a pump.

Cryotherapy Ice Baths-immersion of a part in ice water. It provides uniform coverage. The part can be moved around during treatment. 55 degrees F 10 minute treatment Cold-burning-aching-numb

Cryotherapy Contraindications- Sensory deficits (the elderly) Hyersensitive to cold Impaired circulation Heart disease Malignant tissue

Heating Agents (HOT) Can be skin deep of up to a few inches deep, depending upon modality Reduce pain Promote healing Increase ROM Muscle relaxation

Heating Agents (HOT) Increase vasodialation-blood flow Increase metabolic rate Increase oxygenation of tissue Use for chronic or subacute injuries, not acute.

Heating Agents Hydrocollator Packs- moist heat packs used for superficial heat. Water is at 60-90 degrees C Used for 10-20 minutes Put in covers for insulation and safety

Heating Agents Heating Pads- Electrical pad or microwaveable pad used to get physiological response of heat. Be aware of time and temperature. Make sure there is enough insulation of pad.

Heating Agents Contraindications Not used in first 24-48 hours of injury-heat dialates vessels and could cause increase bleeding of injury If it burns take it off Do not use with impaired circulation do not use with diminished sensation

Hydrotherapy Disadvantages Advantages A form of superficial heating using agitated, heated water in a whirlpool. Disadvantages Extra time and effort to prepare and clean Space Expensive No elevation Advantages It can allow the patient to work ROM A larger area of the body can be treated 10-20 min is treatment time.

Contrast Therapy Alternating hot and cold baths used during the subacute phase (48-72 hours) to help reduce swelling, pain and increase ROM. 50-66 degrees F cold bath 102-110 degrees F hot bath Always end with COLD 3H-1C-3H-1C-3H-1C about 20 minutes

That’s it Folks Well not really we are only half way there just be happy this is the end of the first power point.