Physical Therapy Modalities ELECTRIC MUSCLE STIMULATION The electrical muscle stimulator is designed to deliver very short duration pulses which are low in charge or power output.  The stimulator works by sending these electrical impulses through your skin to the underlying nerves and muscles which causes them to contract.  The muscles can be either twitched, tetanized, or surge tetanized at regular intervals to obtain results for various conditions.      Temporarily relaxes muscle spasms Increasing localized circulation Re-educating muscles that have atrophied from disuse Preventing disuse atrophy in post-thrombosis through stimulation of calf muscles Limb circulation increase Temporary inhibition of spasticity Prevention of atrophy Muscle re-education of groups of muscles Relieve swelling INTERSEGMENTAL TRACTION Intersegmental traction is used for rehabilitation of the spine of a spinal Stretching muscles and ligaments (ligaments help maintain joint strength and stability) Stretching the whole or segmented area of the spine Providing motion to disc areas that have been narrowed by injuries Aiding in improving spinal joint movements LUMBAR/CERVICAL TRACTION Pulls and releases the space between vertebrae and creates a pumping action with fluid in the discs to help build up the discs. DIATHERMY Diathermy is a heat-producing adjunct to Chiropractic care that relieves congestion and stasis of fluids in the muscles.  It also assists with tissue repair by increasing the circulation, which brings the healing nutrients to the tissues.  Pulsed high frequency diathermy penetrates further into tissues than other forms of heat commonly used. ULTRASOUND Ultrasound generates a high frequency alternating current, which results in a penetrating heat effect, called diathermy.  It causes increased heating at junctions between different tissues such as bone and muscle, also selective heating of bones, joints, tendons, and nerves.  Ultrasound results in deeper heating in tissues tan conductive heating and can produce a rise in temperature to a therapeutic level. Ultrasound produces a deep micro-massage of the tissue cells Produces local analgesia causing relief of pain Causes fluids and precipitates to be absorbed by the tissues and aids in dissipating tissue deposits Relieves swelling Causes local heat TRANSELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATOR The transelectrical nerve stimulator (TENS) works by sending electrical impulses through your skin into the painful area.  The impulses are quite small, but they reach the nerves and cause a mild tingling sensation.  The sensation produced by the stimulator seem to prevent pain signals from reaching the brain.  The unit is used to relieve chronic and acute pain symptoms.  Pain relief will often last from minutes to several days after the stimulator is removed.  As a pain management technique the unit can often be used instead of surgical procedures and drug therapy. SUPERFICIAL HEAT Hot packs, warm moist towels, heating pads, water bottles and infrared lamps are often used to help raise the temperature of soft tissues directly below the surface of the skin.  Heat applied to the surface of the skin enlarges blood vessels below the surface, relaxing tissues and can temporarily relieve painful symptoms.  Increasing circulation and relaxing muscles is helpful before or after chiropractic adjustments, exercises, and other treatments. Heat is usually recommended for the relaxation of tissues in spasm and temporary relief of the symptoms associated with chronic pain and muscle tightness.  Using heat to calm tissues suffering from long term spasm or irritation is an easy way to increase flexibility, range of motion, and promote increased circulationn to speed the healing process. CRYOTHERAPY Cryotherapy is a term that describes the application of ice, cold towels, ice massage and compresses to reduce the temperature of tissues directly on or below the surface of the skin.  Surface cooling constricts blood vessels, numbs painful areas, and helps relax muscle spasms.  Cold temperatures reduce nerve transmission of painful symptoms and provide temporary relief. Ice is most often used to manage acute injuries or recent eruptions of chronic conditions.  Cooling affected tissues is effective in reducing and preventing posttraumatic swelling.  Local  cooling should be applied several times a day during the initial stages of an injury.  Cryotherapy in inexpensive, readily available, and an easy way to reduce local swelling of inflamed tissues.