PHYSICAL MODALITIES

Physical modalities are treatment tools that can assist a physiotherapist to relieve pain, improve circulation, decrease swelling, reduce muscle spasm as well as improve the body’s overall ability to heal. These modalities have various mechanisms of action from increasing or decreasing tissue temperature to stimulating our nervous system or muscle tissue. They provide short-term relief and stimulation, which allows us to continue moving and functioning as comfortably as possible while we fix the root cause of the injury.

Some of the commonly used modalities in physiotherapy treatment include:

·     Shockwave

·     Ultrasound

·     Interferential Current (IFC)

·     Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)

·     Paraffin Wax

·     Thermotherapy (heat therapy)

·     Cryotherapy (cold therapy)