One of the main therapeutic tools used in physiotherapy are the so-called physical media or physical therapeutic agents.
These techniques They are based on the use of energy produced by heat, cold, vibrations, water or light to rehabilitate injuries.. This practice dates back to ancient Greece, where Hippocrates established the relationship between the disease and the environment in which the individual was found, being able to show how the use of some elements of the physical environment such as climate, sun and water could affect positively in alleviating various health disorders.
Main physical media
Heat. The use of heat is of great help when seeking to relax a muscle that is contracted, as well as a structure in which a long-standing inflammatory process develops. The heat can be applied either moist, using hot compresses, or dry, as is the case with heat obtained with an infrared lamp. Moist heat has the property of penetrating deeper into the tissues, while dry heat is used when rehabilitating structures that have undergone surgery and the wound has not yet been completely closed, since in these cases moistening it could favor growth of bacteria which can lead to infection.
Cold. Cold is a great ally when it comes to treating various types of injuries, especially pain and inflammation due to trauma or recent injuries. Cold is also usually used at the end of a rehabilitation session in which mobilizations or exercises have been carried out. In some forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, it is often recommended to apply cold after using the joint, which helps relieve pain.
Electricity. Electricity has been used for many years to relieve muscle pain, electrotherapy allows muscles to relax and block the transmission of painful signals by a mechanism of depolarization of nerve cells, it is something like “resetting” the nerves that carry the signal of pain to the brain.
Ultrasound. Ultrasound is a form of deep heat that is delivered using special equipment. This heat originates from vibrations that propagate through the tissues in the form of waves when they come into contact with the head of the equipment. Ultrasound is used to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and even to stimulate the regeneration of injured tissues.
Laser rays. One of the last physical means to be incorporated into the therapeutic arsenal were laser beams, this type of light is a type of electromagnetic radiation with a single direction, a single wavelength that also has very little divergence so the beam does not open nor does it scatter like normal light does. These properties make it possible to emit a beam to a well-defined area, quickly providing a large amount of energy without affecting adjacent tissues or structures, in addition to this, the laser has the advantage that it can be used on injured tissues without the disadvantage of surgical instruments that must be previously sterilized in order to be used.
Photos: Fotolia – Jacob Lund / Microgen
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