At PhysioPlus as part of our treatment programs we use a variety of thermal and electrical modalities to assist recovery from injury.
Interferential Current
Interferential Current is an electrical device that delivers relatively low voltage electricity into the body through electrodes. The physiotherapists use this modality to provide relief from pain and inflammation and often in conjunction with heat or ice depending on the stage of your injury.
Transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS)
TENS is a small electrical unit that delivers relatively low voltage electricity into the body through small electrodes. It uses the “gate control” theory where pain can be blocked by non-destructive means. A gentle application of electrical stimulation (with special rate, width, & voltage control) helps to close the gate, thereby blocking the pain message to the brain at the spinal cord level giving immediate pain relief in certain conditions.
Laser Therapy
Laser Therapy treatment is a non-invasive therapy that makes use of intense beams of light of specific wavelengths to help reduce pain related to your injury. LASER stands for ‘Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation’.
When it comes to therapeutic use, lasers are often referred to as Cold Lasers, Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) or High Power Laser Therapy (HPLT). The Low-Level Laser Therapy utilizes red (and close to red) infrared light on areas of injury or wounds in order to mend the soft tissue and also to give relief from acute and chronic pain.
When the lights of specific wavelengths are targeted to a particular area of body, physiological changes take place in the cells. This process is known as photobiomodulation. In contrast to surgical lasers, the therapeutic lasers gently pass through your skin without breaking the skin or causing discomfort. Laser therapy is considered by many professionals and patients to be a very effective tool in improving injury condition.
Wax Bath
Wax has a low melting point and is used for treatment of the small joints of hands and feet often prior to mobilization of these joints.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a device that delivers sound waves into the body. This brings blood flow to the area to stimulate healing. In the acute stages of injury it can be used to decreased inflammation in a joint, muscle or ligament. In later stages it can be used to heat an area for mobilization or to relax muscles. As a result, it decreases pain.
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is an electrical device that delivers electrical impulses into the body to cause muscle contraction. Often muscles become inhibited and do not contract as they should. This may be due to injury, muscle imbalances or post surgery. This can lead to pain. As a result, the brain has difficulty contracting the muscle properly. NMES can cause a muscle to contract involuntarily thus assisting in strengthening weak muscles and correcting muscle imbalances.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback places electrodes onto the skin surface over muscles. This measures the natural body signals that are present when muscles are active. Audio and visual feedback allows patients to learn to control the activation or relaxation of individual muscles. By coupling the biofeedback with exercise, we can teach how to change movement patterns, “fix” abnormal mechanics, and learn to make exercise more effective.
Hot and Cold Packs
Depending on the stage of recovery hot and cold pack are used to provide relief from pain and inflammation in conjunction with other treatment methods.
For more information, Contact us at Whitehorse, Yukon center.