Conditions that warrant the use of EPAs
Pain, Swelling, Skin conditions, Tendon impairments, Muscle impairments, Neurological impairments, Bone/joint impairments
Categories of EPAs
Thermal, Mechanical, Electric, Electromagnetic
Examples of Thermal EPAs
Hot packs, Ice packs, Ultrasound, Whirlpool, Short wave diathermy
Examples of Mechanical EPAs
Hydrotherapy, Ultrasound, Traction, Shockwave
Examples of Electric EPAs
TENS, IFC
Examples of Electromagnetic EPAs
UV radiation, Infrared radiation, Laser, Diathermy
What is a key consideration about EPAs?
Some physical agents fall into more than one category (e.g., water and ultrasound both have thermal and mechanical effects)
Why use EPAs during the inflammatory phase?
Reduce circulation, pain, muscle tone, enzymatic activity rate; Control motion; Promote progression to proliferation phase
How do thermal agents modify inflammation and healing?
- affect circulation
- affect enzymatic rate
How do mechanical agents modify inflammation and healing?
- control motion
- alter fluid flow
How do electromagnetic agents impact inflammation and healing?
- alter cell function (increase cell permeability and transport)
Why use EPAs during the proliferation phase?
Increase circulation, enzymatic activity rate; Promote collagen deposition, progression to remodeling phase
Why use EPAs during the maturation phase?
Alter balance of collagen deposition and resorption; Improve alignment of new collagen fibres
Contraindications/precautions to use of EPAs
- circulatory impairment
- pacemaker
- pregnancy
- seizure disorder
- fracture
- active hemorrhage
- malignancy
- decreased skin sensation
- confusion
- cold allergy
- metal implants
- obesity
- open wounds
Framework for delivering EPAs
- Patient
2.Prepare and test EPA - Apply
- Terminate treatment
- Document
What must be included in documenting EPAs?
Modality, Where applied, Duration of application, Dose used, Patient positioning
Considerations for selecting the most appropriate EPA
- goals of patient
- goals of intervention
- physiological effects required to reach goals
- which modality is effective for goals
- contraindications/precautions
How can EPAs reduce pain?
- modifying pain transmission or perception
- affecting cellular processes that cause pain
- modifying tissue inflammation
- altering collagen extensibility
How can EPAs alter muscle tone?
- nerve conduction (nerves fire slower)
- nerve sensitivity (nerve threshold can increase)
- muscles can be more fluid
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UNIT 1: Week 219
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UNIT 2: Week 240
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UNIT 2: Week 474
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UNIT 2: WEEK 5 (ultrasound lab)25
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UNIT 2: Week 6 Shockwave52
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UNIT 2: Week 6 Understanding Electrical Terminology and Concepts78
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UNIT 2: Week 6 Electroanalgesia26
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UNIT 2: Week 7 Laser77
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UNIT 2: Week 8 TENS74
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UNIT 2: Week 10 IFC60
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PSE prep28
