PHYSICAL AGENTS &
ELECTROTHERAPY-1
Dr. Waqas Fayyaz PT
DPT, MSPT(Neurology)
Lecturer at University of Lahore
drwaqasfayyaz@gmail.com
Lecture 1
COURSE DETAILS
Physical agents & Doctor of Physical
Electrotherapy-1 Therapy
COURSE
PROGRAM
TITLE
03 (2:1)
5th • Two Lectures/week
• One Lab/week
SEMESTER CREDIT
HOURS
COURSE FACULTY
Course Work
Dr. Waqas Fayyaz PT
Lab Work
Dr. Bazel Bukari PT
Dr. Waqas Fayyaz PT
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Physiological & therapeutic uses,
risks, preventions, indications &
contraindications on the type of electric
current
Demonstrate fundamental skills used
to train in electrotherapy
modalities
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
üMidterm examination = 20 marks
üFinal Examination = 25 marks
üViva = 25 marks
üAssignment /Test/Attendance/Presentation = 30 marks
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Marks Distribution Scheme
25% Quiz
25% Assignments
10% Attendance
30% Final MCQs
10% Viva
REFERENCE BOOKS
1. Savage B. Practical electrotherapy for physiotherapists.
UK: Faber; 1960.
2. Scott PM. Clayton’s electrotherapy and actinotherapy.
9th ed. USA: Williams & Wilkins: 1980.
3. Watson T. Electrotherapy: evidence-based practice. 12th
ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 2008
4. Cameron MH. Physical agents in rehabilitation: from
research to practice. 4th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2013.
5. Singh J. Textbook of electrotherapy. 2nd ed. India:
Jaypee; 2012
Today Lecture Learning
Objectives
vElectrotherapy Definition
vPhysical agents Definition
vCurrents Basics
vCurrents Classification
PHYSICAL AGENTS &
ELECTROTHERAPY-1
Introduction
ELECTROTHERAPY
Medical therapy using electric currents.
Also called electrotherapeutics
The use of electric currents passed through the
body to stimulate nerves and muscles, chiefly in
the treatment of various forms of diseases.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
ELECTROTHERAPY
Modalities
PHYSICAL AGENTS
“There are some physical agents
that can be used by the patient/client on themselves
with instruction and training such as superficial
heating agents or hot packs.”
Categories
Thermal (deep-heating agents, superficial heating
agents, cooling agents)
Mechanical (traction, compression )
PHYSICAL AGENTS
Thermal
PHYSICAL AGENTS
Mechanical
PHYSICAL AGENTS
Mechanical
CURRENTS
Electric current
“The movement or flow of charged particles
through a conductor in response to an applied
electric field.”
Current is noted as I
Measured in Amperes( A).
CURRENTS
Conventional Current
“Current flows out of the positive terminal, through
the circuit and into the negative terminal of the
source. This was the convention chosen during the
discovery of electricity.”
CURRENTS
Conventional Current
They were wrong!
Electron Flow is what actually happens and
electrons flow out of the negative terminal, through
the circuit and into the positive terminal of the
source.
CURRENTS
Charge
One of the basic properties of matter, which either
has no charge( is electrically neutral),
or may be negatively (-)
or positively (+) charged
Charge Is noted as Q and is measured in
Coulombs( C).
CURRENTS
Polarity
The property of having two oppositely charged
conductors, with the positive called the anode, and
the negative called the cathode.
CURRENTS
Voltage
The electrical force capable of moving charged
particles through a conductor between two regions
or points.
Voltage is also known as the "potential difference”
Voltage is noted as V and is Measured in volts (V)
CURRENTS
FREQUENCY
Frequency is the number of complete cycles per
second in alternating current direction. The
standard unit of frequency is the hertz, abbreviated
Hz.
If a current completes one cycle per second, then
the frequency is 1 Hz.
60 cycles per second
equals 60 Hz
CURRENTS
FREQUENCY
Larger units of frequency includes
Kilohertz (kHz)
Megahertz (MHz)
Gigahertz (GHz)
Terahertz (THz)
CURRENTS
Direct Current (DC)
“A continuous unidirectional flow of charged
particles is known as direct current (DC).”
Direct current is used to for iontophoresis and for
stimulating contraction of denervated muscle and
also occasionally to facilitate wound healing
CURRENTS
Direct Current (DC)
CURRENTS
Alternating Current (AC)
“A continuous bidirectional flow of charged
particles is known as alternating current (A C)”
CURRENTS
DC VS AC
CURRENTS
Pulsed Current
“Electrical current can be delivered
discontinuously in a series of pulses separated by
periods when no current flows.”
This is known as pulsed or pulsatile current.
CURRENTS
Classification
A review on the differences…
1. High Frequency Currents
2. Medium Frequency Currents
3. Low Frequency Currents
CURRENTS
Classification
1. HIGH FREQUENCY CURRENTS
ØFrequency is >6000 HZ
ØShort wavelengths (<10 mm)
ØEffects occur only at superficial structures
ØGeneral effect = HEATING
ØSample modalities:
US, MWD, SWD, IRR, UVR, LASER
CURRENTS
Classification
2 & 3. MEDIUM and LOW FREQUENCY
CURRENTS
ØFrequency ranges from 1 to 6000 Hz
ØLonger wavelengths (>10 mm)
ØEffects occur at deeper structures
ØGeneral effects:
MFC: blocks pain
LFC: nerve stimulation
CURRENTS
Classification
2 & 3. MEDIUM and LOW FREQUENCY
CURRENTS
ØSample modalities:
Electrical stimulators, Diadynamics, Biofeedback,
Iontophoresis, TENS, IF, Faradic.
CURRENTS
Classification
LOW FREQUENCY MEDIUM FREQUENCY
CURRENT CURRENTS
Superimposed currents
TENS Interfrential current
Dia-dynamic current
Learning Outcome
qBasic of Electrotherapy
qBasic of Current and its types
REFERENCE BOOKS
1. Savage B. Practical electrotherapy for physiotherapists.
UK: Faber; 1960.
2. Scott PM. Clayton’s electrotherapy and actinotherapy.
9th ed. USA: Williams & Wilkins: 1980.
3. Watson T. Electrotherapy: evidence-based practice. 12th
ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 2008
4. Cameron MH. Physical agents in rehabilitation: from
research to practice. 4th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2013.
5. Singh J. Textbook of electrotherapy. 2nd ed. India:
Jaypee; 2012
