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Indication:
- Osteoarthritis
- Myofascial pain syndrome
- Bursitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Pain caused by scar tissue
- Phantom limb pain
- Sprains and strains
While ultrasound therapy is not effective for all chronic pain conditions, it may help reduce your pain if you have any of the following:
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Contraindication:
- Over the abdomen, pelvic regions, or lower back in women who are menstruating or pregnant
- Over lesions, broken skin, or healing fractures
- Around the eyes, breasts, or sexual organs
- Over any areas with plastic implants
- Over or near areas with malignant tumors
- Over areas with impaired sensations or blood flow.
Ultrasound therapy should not be used on these body parts:
TENS (TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION)
A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit is a device that sends small electrical currents to targeted body parts. These currents are used to relieve pain.
A TENS unit sends electrical pulses through the skin. These pulses control pain signals in the body, creating temporary or permanent relief from pain. They can control abnormally excited nerves and release endorphins.
A single treatment typically lasts 15 to 40 minutes. It’s not painful, but you might feel a slight tingling or warming sensation where the electrodes meet your skin.
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TENS machines may relieve pain caused by many conditions, including:
- Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches and migraines
- Nerve pain
- Sports injuries
- Surgery
- Wounds and incisions
IFT (INTERFERENTIAL THERAPY)
IFT which stands for Interferential Therapy is one of the types of electrotherapy used for the management of pain. The principle of interferential therapy is to cause two medium frequency currents of slightly different frequencies to interfere with one another. Interferential current therapy works by sending small amounts of electrical stimulation to damaged tissues in the body. The therapy is meant to boost the body's natural process of responding to pain, by increasing circulation thus produces hormones that promote healing. IFT delivers intermittent pulses to stimulate surface nerves and block the pain signal, by delivering continuous deep stimulation into the affected tissue. IFT relieves pain, increases circulation, decreases edema, and stimulates the muscles.
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Pain Relief in conditions such as :
- Causalgia
- herpes zoster
- neuralgia
- Cervical spondylosis
- Osteoarthritis of the knee
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Frozen shoulder
- Disc herniation
- Spinal canal stenosis
SWD (SHORT WAVE DIATHERMY)
Short Wave Diathermy (SWD) is a treatment that uses electromagnetic energy to produce deep heating in joints and soft tissues. This form of heat can be applied to deeper structures than other forms of heat treatment. Thus SWD can effectively relieve joint pain, improve soft tissue healing and decrease the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Best Health Physiotherapists are knowledgeable and experienced in the appropriate application of SWD.
What makes short wave diathermy different from other heating agents? How it produces heating in deeper tissues? One of the most important differences is its ability to heat deeper tissues of our body.
The heating of the tissues is the result of high-frequency alternating current which generally have a frequency 27.12 MHz and a wavelength of 11 meters. Currents of such high frequencies do not stimulate motor or sensory nerves nor do they produce any muscle contraction.
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SWD is very effective in relieving pain, helps in the reduction of inflammation
- backache
- Knee pain due to arthritis
- Frozen shoulder
- Bursitis, capsulitis
- Osteomyelitis
- strain, sprain
- Brachial plexus neuritis
- Fibrositis, myositis
- Rheumatism, etc
CRYOTHERAPHY
Cryotherapy, also known as ice application, is the simplest and oldest way to treat injuries. Ice is believed to control pain by instigating local anaesthesia.It also decreases oedema, nerve conduction velocities, cellular metabolism and local blood flow.
LEWIS HUNTING REACTION
Vasoconstriction occurs first to reduce heat loss, but also results in strong cooling of the extremities. Approximately five to ten minutes after the start of cold exposure, the blood vessels in the extremities will suddenly vasodilate. This is probably caused by a sudden decrease in the release of neurotransmitters from the sympathetic nerves to the muscular coat of the arteriovenous anastomoses due to local cold. This cold-induced vasodilation increases blood flow and subsequently the temperature of the fingers. A new phase of vasoconstriction follows the vasodilation, after which the process repeats itself.
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Application method
- Ice pack.
- Immersion.
- Ice massage.
- Ice spray.
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Conditions treated
- Acute soft tissue injuries e.g. ankle sprain, muscular sprain, ligament sprain
- Myofascial trigger points
- Tendinitis
- Acute swelling
- Bursitis
EXERCISE THERAPY
Exercise therapy is defined as a regimen or plan of physical activities designed and prescribed to facilitate the patients to recover from diseases and any conditions, which disturb their movement and activity of daily life or maintain a state of well‐being through neuro re‐education, gait training, and therapeutic activities.
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It is systemic execution of planned physical movements, postures, or activities intended to enable the patients to
- Reduce risk,
- enhance function
- remediate or prevent impairment
- optimize overall health
- improve fitness and well‐being
Exercise therapy can be called Activity‐Based Therapy, Activity‐Based Recovery Therapy, Neuro‐based Therapy, and Restorative Therapy
Objectives of exercise therapy- Promote activity and minimize the effects of inactivity, increased independence
- Increase the normal range of motion.
- Improve strength the weak muscles
- Improve the performance in daily activities
- Enable ambulation
- Release contracted muscles, tendons, and fascia.
- Improve circulation.
- Improve respiratory capacity.
- Improve coordination
- Reduce rigidity.
- Improve balance
- Promote relaxation
- Increased motor or sensory function
- Reduction of medication, reduction of hospital visits, and increased overall health.
The most important goal of exercise therapy is an optimal level of physical fitness by the end of the intervention. The physical fitness a state characterized by good muscle strength combined with good endurance.
Prana is?
Unlike Western medicine that usually addresses a specific symptom or disease, Traditional Indian medicine (TIM) views the entire body in terms of prana, its energy. When prana is flowing smoothly throughout the body, good health is enjoyed. However, if this flow of energy is blocked (ie, from trauma), acupressure can release prana to work toward restoring the body's balance.
How does acupressure work?
Acupressure works by placing pressure on specific points on the body to release prana. Application of pressure requires precision because some 365 points are located on the major channels, plus there are over 650 individual pressure points. Similar to the circulatory system's network of vessels, each channel has a network of connections.
Different techniques are used to affect prana in the channels. These techniques include tonify, disperse, and calm. Weak prana would require tonifying. Blocked prana would be dispersed, and overactive prana would be calmed.
The pressure administered is often held for several seconds to minutes. Pressure may be applied in circular movements, pushing the acupoint in and out, or a combination. Although the points manipulated may be sensitive, acupressure should not be painful. Depending upon the condition, treatment may be given every other day or a few times daily.
What conditions does acupressure treatment?
Some situations that benefit from acupressure include back pain, headache, fatigue, anxiety, stress and tension, feelings of melancholy, and immune system deficiencies. Studies have shown that certain types of pain are linked with feelings of anxiety and worry.
Uses:
Most people try acupressure for the first time to manage symptoms of a condition, such as:
- Cancer-related fatigue and other forms of fatigue
- Insomnia
- Headache
- Menstrual cramps
- Motion sickness
- Muscle tension and pain3
- Nausea or vomiting after surgery or chemotherapy
- Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and morning sickness
- Stress management
A Typical Acupressure Session:
Acupressure is often administered by an acupuncturist, with the person receiving the acupressure sitting or lying down on a massage table.
Acupressure can also be self-administered. While it's best to consult an acupuncturist for proper instruction, acupressure is generally done by using the thumb, finger, or knuckle to apply gentle but firm pressure to a point. You can also use the tip of a pen. The pressure is often increased for about 30 seconds, held steadily for 30 seconds to two minutes, and then gradually decreased for 30 seconds. It's typically repeated three to five times
Side Effects and Safety-
-Acupressure should never be painful. If you experience any pain, tell your therapist immediately. After an acupressure session, some people may feel soreness or bruising at acupressure points. You may also feel temporarily lightheaded.
-Pressure should be gentle over fragile or sensitive areas, such as the face.
-If you're pregnant, talk to your care provider before trying acupressure. Acupressure typically isn't done on the abdomen or certain points on the leg or lower back during pregnancy.
-Acupressure shouldn't be done over open wounds, bruises, varicose veins, or any area that is bruised or swollen.
When using acupressure:
Set aside several minutes.
Sit or lie down in a comfortable position.
Relax, close your eyes, and breathe deeply.
Use firm, deep pressure in a small rotating or
up-and-down movement.
For Shoulder Pain:
Neck and shoulder pain are often the result of stress and can lead to what are commonly referred to as tension headaches. There are several pressure points to use in the relief of shoulder pain, beginning with one of the most commonly used points.
The first and easiest to find is between the web of the thumb and the first finger.
Press with a firm pressure until you feel a mild ache.
Hold for five seconds.
Release and repeat three more times.
For Lower Back Pain:
There are two main pressure points that can help with lower back pain, says Study. The first is on your waist.
Stand up and lightly grab your waist with both hands so that your thumbs wrap around your back. With your thumbs in place, apply a circular motion using firm pressure for a count of five seconds.
Repeat this three times.
Study says you can also find a pressure point to relieve low back pain about midway up your calf muscle.
Using the same circular motion and pressure,
hold for five seconds.
Release and repeat two more times.
For Sinus Pain:
The first point for relieving sinus pressure and pain is right between your eyebrows. Using your index finger or thumb to apply pressure here using a circular motion for 5 seconds.
The second point is at your temples; use the same circular motion as before.
A third option is to trace your fingers from your temples to either side of your nostrils. Using a circular motion, apply pressure here for five seconds.
Following this pressure technique for each of the pressure points, keeping the pressure firm but not painful.
Final Tips on Acupressure:
Do acupressure with deep breathing, empty stomach and with right knowledge.
These practices can be done several times each day, you should give your body a break if any points are sore to the touch. Starting with light pressure and gradually moving to a more firm touch.
Feelings of pain like those listed above are often caused by tension and stress. It’s important to relax and reduce stressors in your life for these approaches to have the most impact. If you find relaxing and simultaneous self-massage difficult, you can always ask for help from a friend or family member.
