Heat Pack
Heat is recommended to decrease chronic pain, relax muscles, and for pain relief. It should not be used with an acute or “new” injury.
Cryotherapy or Cold Therapy
Cold therapy is used to cause vasoconstriction (the blood vessels constrict or decrease their diameter) to reduce the amount of fluid that leaks out of the capillaries into the tissue spaces (swelling) in response to injury of tissue. Ice or cold is used most frequently in acute injuries, but also an effective pain reliever for even the most chronic pain. Cold therapy may be administered by using a cold pack or an ice massage.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound uses a high frequency sound wave emitted from the sound head when electricity is passed through a quartz crystal. The sound waves cause the vibration of water molecules deep within tissue causing a heating effect. When the sound waves are pulsed, they cause a vibration of the tissue rather than heating. The stream of sound waves helps with nutrition exchange at the cellular level and healing. Studies have shown that ultrasound is helpful for ligament healing and clinically, for carpal tunnel syndrome, and muscle spasm.
Electrical Stimulation
Interferential is a type of electrical stimulation that increases blood flow, relieves pain and decreases inflammation using medium frequency alternating currents.
Russian or neuromuscular electrical stimulation is used to cause a muscle contraction in order to help restore motor control and strength. This type of electrical stimulation is often used with exercise especially for those recovering from surgery.
Soft tissue oscillation is a type of current that causes a vibration through the therapist’s gloves and is excellent in moving inflammation out of the area.
Thermostimulation combines heat or cold with electrical stimulation using a soft tissue mobilization tool. This really helps improve circulation and break up scar tissue as well as muscle spasms.
What conditions respond well to electrical stimulation?
- Neck Pain
- Back Pain
- Arthritis-related Pain
- Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerves)
- Sciatica
- Sprains and Strains
