ELECTRO-PHYSICAL THERAPY AND MODALITIES

There are a number of methods of pain reduction available to those suffering from a physical injury. For a short term solution for pain or swelling reduction that can assist in the introduction of other long term solutions (exercise prescription, manual therapy), physiotherapists use electrotherapy and other modalities. Electrotherapy and local modalities use energy to help with pain reduction and the healing process. The type of energy used varies from electric, to light, magnetic, sonic and heat, depending on the specific method being used. The following are the key modalities used at Hart Physio, as methods to reduce pain and inflammation while the injury is healing:

ULTRASOUND THERAPY

One of the more well-known electrotherapy methods, it does not in fact use electricity at all in its application. Ultrasound therapy uses mechanical vibrations to produce focussed ultrasonic energy that helps reduce pain and inflammation particularly in dense, collagen based tissues like ligaments and tendons.

TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION

Often referred to as TENS, this method also uses electricity to stimulate the opioid system which naturally reduces the amount of pain being received by the nerve endings in the injured area of the body. While this method of treatment works for people suffering from chronic pain, it has also been shown to be helpful in treating acute pain. We have a machine that we can loan to patients for a trial.

HOT AND COLD APPLICATION

The simple application of a hot or cold compress can help reduce pain and swelling, as well as increase the natural healing process in the body. In order to decrease blood flow to an injury and therefore reduce painful swelling and inflammation, a cold compress should be applied to an acute injury. The sooner this is done so, the better. When pain from an injury continues to occur, applying a hot compress will increase the blood flow to the injury, and speed up the healing process.