Chapter 7 - Physical Therapy

Injuries within 48 hours. If there is active swelling you shouldn't use heat.

• 1. Edema
• 2. Pain
• 3. Adhesions/scar tissue.

Contraindications: Pacemakers and Pregnancy

• Stands for:
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
• -A pocket size, battery-operated device that provides mild, continuous electrical current through the skin by using 2 to 4 electrodes

-High TENS (100-500Hz) relieves pain by blocking pain fibers and is used up to 24 hrs/day because when the unit is turned off the pain cycle often returns.

-Low TENS (1-50Hz) relieves pain by endorphin release, and due to the 4 hour 1/2 life of endorphins need only be used 15-30 min at a time.

Usually used for such things as topical anesthetics, antiinflammatories and muscle relaxants

• Isometric contraction:
• Static contraction- muscle contraction that is not associated with joint motion or change in muscle length. Can be performed in a cast.

• Isotonic contraction:
• Dynamic contraction - muscle contraction with associated joint motion and change in muscle length, either eccentric or concentric.
• Eccentric contraction: muscle contraction in which the muscle lengthens while contracting. Contraction force of muscle is against an overpowering weight resistance
• Concentric contraction: Where a weight is lifted with the force of muscle contraction

Isokinetic contraction: contraction at a constant velocity at all ranges of motion by using a machine with an accommodating resistance.