ATH 1061 Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Physical Therapy, Cotton Pad, Heat Therapy
CH. 15: USING THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES
Legal Concerns
• The athletic trainer must carefully follow laws that prohibit him or her from
the us of certain therapeutic modalities
• Anyone who uses therapeutic modalities must know how to accurately use
them
• Should not be used indiscriminately
Classification of Therapeutic Modalities
• Thermal conductive energy
o Transfer of thermal energy
• Electrical energy
o Electric stim, electrical energy
• Electromagnetic energy
• Sound energy
• Mechanical energy
• Ex: tissues heating- electrical current that pass through tissues will generate
heat as a result of resistance of the tissue to the passage of energy
Thermal Conductive Energy Modalities:
• Thermotherapy
o Physiological Effects of Heat
▪ For a physiological response to occur, heat must be absorbed
by tissues and spread to adjacent tissues
▪ Heat has the capacity to increase the extensibility of collagen
tissue
▪ Ischemia- lack of blood supply to a body part
▪ Conduction- heating through direct contact with a hot medium
▪ Convection- heating indirectly through medium
▪ Radiation- transfer of heat through space from 1 object to
another
▪ Conversion- heating though other forms of energy
• Hydrocollactor Packs
o Equipment
▪ Contain silicate gel in a cotton pad, which is immersed in
thermostatically controlled hot water at a temperature of 160F
o Indications
▪ Relaxation and reduction of pain spasm
o Application
▪ Remove pack and allow to drain, cover pack with towel, treat
area, remove when cool
o Special Consideration
▪ Do not lie on packs
• Whirlpool Baths
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