Electrophysical Modalities include electrical devices, equipment and which are safely applied to the injury site. They include treatment tools such as ultrasound therapy, Interferential Current and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), and can provide exceptional results when used alongside traditional equipment and treatments.
Therapists at Morley Physiotherapy are highly trained in the use of Electrophysical Modalities, and can incorporate them to enhance, speed up and improve your treatment or recovery.
About Electrophysical Modalities
Electrophysical Modalities (also known as Electrophysical Agents or EPAs) are used to relieve pain, reduce swelling, increase local blood flow and break down scar tissue and can be useful in assisting with early, mid and late injury management. Here are a few of the most common EPAs, how they work, and what they are used for.
Therapeutic Ultrasound
Used by physical therapists since the 1940s, ultrasound treatment sends sound vibrations through the skin into the underlying, muscles and joints. The vibrations, applied through a round-headed wand or probe put into contact with the patient’s skin, have been shown to cause increases in tissue heating and relaxation, improving local blood flow, and scar tissue breakdown.
Interferential Current (IFC) and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
IFC and TENS use gentle electrical impulses to reduce pain, increase blood flow, and treat deep pains that are hard to reach through other treatments. They are commonly used in physiotherapy practise , and can achieve very positive results in assisting recovery from soft tissue injuries.
IFC and TENS is applied using electrodes – small pads applied to the patient’s skin over affected areas. Patients may feel a comfortable tingling sensation during treatment, and the process is painless.