Effectiveness of Treatments in Physical

TherapyMegan Vogelsong

Active assist exercise Active resistive exercise Ultrasound Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

(TENS) Iontophoresis 830 Laser

Some types of PT Treatments

Help maintain joint flexibility & muscle strength

Move limbs through normal or available range of motion

Stretches Heal slides Effective, but needs consistency and

possibly a longer treatment plan More effective in less severe cases

Active Assist Exercise

Active Assist Exercise

Heal Slides: -help with range of motion and strength in knee-1to 3 sets, 8 to 12 repetitions, multiple times per week-as strength increases, increase sets and repetitions

Increase strength of muscles & generate greater force

Use of weights may be used in treatment Three steps:

◦ 1. perform a small number of repetitions until patient feels fatigue

◦ 2. allow sufficient rest between exercise for recovery

◦ 3. increase resistance as ability to generate force increases

Active Resistive Exercise

Active Resistive Exercise Cont. Healthy people

also use them to help increase athletic performance

Decrease risk factors for osteoporosis

Help regain strength

Long-term benefits usually uncertain unless keep up with rehabilitation

Pulmonary rehabilitation patients maintain benefits

Active Resistive Exercises

Treatment gives reasonable improvement to some, especially elderly & is effective to many people, but more so in less severe cases

Exercises can help improve osteoarthritis of knees in elderly

Negatives:-Increase in muscle spasms-Increase in force required through healing tissues such as bones after fractures

Generates high frequency sound waves through a round-headed probe

Sound waves travel deep into tissues and create mild heat

Heat draws blood into tissues which delivers oxygen and nutrients while removing wastes from cells

Reduces pain and inflammation Decrease muscle spasms Accelerate healing

Ultrasound

Effectiveness on reducing pain is still questioned

Tests conducted and none showed evidence of pain relief

May still be effective if used more frequently and over a longer period of time

Ultrasound Effectiveness

Ultrasound

-gel is used on skin to help move probe and generate heat-different intensities-circular motions and waves produce tingling sensation-usually done for 3-5 minutes

Helps a specific injured area Used for muscle, joint, tendon, or nerve pain, inflammation, and many others

Decreases muscle and joint tightness Decreases inflammation

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Simulation (TENS)

Compared to mechanically administered massages:◦38% of patients felt a decrease in pain with massage

◦85% of patients saw improvements with stimulation

Thus, stimulation is very effective

TENS

TENS Treatment Surround affected

area with four small electrode pads

Pads hooked to device that sends a certain frequency of electrodes back and forth through the affected area

Very similar to TENS, but only uses two patches, one of which containing ion medication

Administer medication deeper into tissues (1-3 cm)

Safe and cost effective Conditions usually disappear in six or less

treatments Used to treat inflammation, localized pain,

fungal infections, small ulcers, calcium deposits, trigger points, and plantar warts

Iontophoresis

Iontophoresis Cons:

◦Small risk of tissue burns and blistering from high intensities or skin that was not cleaned properly

Very Successful Treatment:◦ Only takes about six

treatments◦ Can help severe cases◦ Ion medication major

plus◦ Different ions for

different situations

Iontophoresis

Newer advancement to PT Comparable to ultrasound, but no heat Reduces pain and decreases inflammation Regenerates tissues 90% effective rate in patients Thus, very effective treatment Will most likely be used for many more

years in the future

830 Laser

830 Laser

-sends lights (photons) into injured tissues and stimulates healing while reducing pain instantly-photons stimulate and energize cells to repair and strengthen them at extremely fast rates-treatment does not wear off, but increases the body’s healing abilities

Most effective treatments:◦Active resistive exercises◦Stimulation (TENS)◦Iontophoresis◦830 Laser

Conclusion

-Depends on injury or disability-Depends on individual person-Some treatments may work great for some people while they may not work at all for others

-Bright future for physical therapy with continued advancements in technology

Conclusion Continued