Physical Modalities

There are many physical modalities that therapists can use to help improve healing rates, provide comfort, and control inflammation and pain. These include heat, moist hot packs, paraffin wax, ultrasound, muscle stimulation, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, interferential current, and cryotherapy. Heat is used to relax muscles and joints that are stiff, decrease muscle spasms, prepare tissue for exercise, and improve blood flow which enables tissue to heal.