Electro Physical Agents
Electro Physical Agents are modalities that produce thermal, mechanical, electrical or light energy to the patient to promote tissue healing and provide physiological effects and therapeutic benefits.
Modalities frequently used in our clinic are IFC, TENS, Ultrasound and Shockwave.
Interferential current (IFC) is electical stimulation between four electrodes used to provide pain control, relax shortened muscles and reduce swelling and inflammation in the tissues.
TENS. TENS stands for Transcuteneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. This is a small handheld device with electodes that are placed on the skin over the area of pain or dysfunciton used for the purpose of pain control.
Ultrasound is used to promote healing in the tissues. It creates mechanical high frequency sound waves that produce energy, which when it enters the skin cause micro vibrations in the cells for imroved tissue helaing and pain reduciton. It is mainly used to reduce inflammation and helps increase circulation to the area to promote healing in the tissues. Ultrasound works at the cellular levels in the tissues and helps speed up the rate of healing.
Shockwave is a high pressure low frequency soundwave used for mainly chronic (12 weeks or longer since onset) upper and lower body tendinopathies such as plantar fasciitis, achilles tendinopathies, patella tendinitis, tennis elbow and calcifications, but has also shown to be effective in fracture healing and for frozen shoulder and osteoarthritis.