pae intro

• PHYSICAL AGENTS ● A method of applying energy, force, and equipment or material to a patient’s body.
• Energy and Forces that can be maximized and utilized: Heat, Cold, Water, Pressure, Sound, Electromagnetic Radiation, and Electric Current.
• Physical agents can also be termed and coined as:

  o Physical Modality

  o Electrophysical Agent

  o Modality
• Categories of Physical Agents: THERMAL, MECHANICAL, and ELECTROMAGNETIC
• THERMAL: An equipment/ material that could either increase or decrease tissue temperature.
• Cryotherapy: Cold Thermotherapy: Heat
• Hot moist packs ● Superficial absorbing capacity; Direct contact to the skin.
• Paraffin wax bath ● Superficial absorbing capacity; Direct contact to the skin. Via the use of paraffin wax.
• Therapeutic ultrasound ● Deep absorbing capacity that can penetrate tendons and ligaments.
• Diathermy: ● can also be categorized in electromagnetic radiation ● Deep absorbing capacity that can penetrate tendons and ligaments. ● Not portable. ● Can endanger cellular processes in the body due to its high frequency capacity.
• MECHANICAL: A type of agent that can increase or decrease pressure on the body. It could either put pressure or decrease the pressure
• Mechanical Agent's Mediums/Forces: Water, traction, compression, and sound
• ● Hydrotherapy = water ● A form of treatment that uses water as a form of providing therapeutic effects or benefits to a patient.
• Thermal Conductivity – Helps patients with ADHD vis treatment with warm water which helps the patient relax. Cold water helps in reducing inflammation.
• Buoyant Force – an upward thrust allowing the body to float in water. We could maximize this force as a form of treatment in the field of rehabilitation.
• ● Density – The amount of weight an object/person; whether it floats in water
• Hydrostatic Pressure – Form of pressure that is exerted all throughout the body as it is immersed underwater.
• ● Traction: A force that separates certain joints or body structure.
• Compression ● Jobst compression unit ● Approximates a certain joint or body structure.
• ELECTROMAGNETIC: An agent that uses radiation/rays or electric current. Emits heat/energy.
• UV light ● Emits heat but not as significant as compared to others. ● It can produce nonthermal effects of heat.
• Infrared Light ● Can be classified as a thermal agent and an electromagnetic agent since it emits heat. ● Can be used for therapeutic purposes, commonly to patients with lower back pain, bell’s palsy, and even patients with neurologic/muscular conditions
• example of Electrical stimulator/s: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator, Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulator, Functional Electrical Stimulator
• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator (TENS): Reduces pain
• Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulator: Assists individual to strengthen muscle, and could also help in facilitating movement and movement pattern ● Function
• Functional Electrical Stimulator: Assists patient in returning to their ADL/Functional activities. Helps in re-educating patients on how to do a certain movement pattern. Also, for muscular strengthening.
• Pathology ● disease or injury ● Refers to the medical condition; alteration on the anatomy or the function of the body leading to a medical condition.
• Impairment ● Abnormality of structure or function ● Primary level of which physical agents have direct effects ● Anatomical/Physiological loss.
• Functional Limitation ● Restrictions in the ability to perform components of daily life
• Disability ● Inability to perform typical activities of daily living.