Students of Physical Therapy in UCSG, Guayaquil. Ecuador

1. PHYSIOTHERAPY
COMMON PHYSICAL AGENTS IN THE
REHABILITATION OF PATIENTS
INTEGRANTS:
• Marlon Ayauca
• Joel Espinoza
• Stefany Gallardo

2. HOT PACKS VASODILATION increase the blood flow
Pads covered with canvas
containing inside a special
refractory material .
The material is bentonite ( silicate gel or other hydrophilic
substance ) capable of absorbing and produce thermal
exchange with the surface to which it is applied.
Indications:
• Analgesia and muscle relaxation ( myalgia
, muscle spasms - stiff neck and back pain
, spasticity )
• Prior Measure: Facilitate exercise ,
massage, stretching
• Joint stiffness .
Contraindications:
• Dermatitis .
• Open wounds.
• Local infectious processes (cellulitis )
• Peripheral vascular insufficiency ( IVP )
arterial or venous ( varicose veins )
• Areas of hypoesthesia or anesthesia (
spinal cord injuries , diabetes , etc. )

3. COLD PACKS VASOCONSTRICTION decrease the blood flow
They are adaptable to the area
to be treated . It is ice pressed
with isopropyl alcohol.
They must be cooled at least two hours before
application , which should not exceed 20
minutes each 2 or 3 hours
Indications:
• Acute post-traumatic
• Spasticity slight superficial burns
• Pain and pruritus conditions
• Inflammatory processes
• Edema
• Cutaneous and aesthetic conditions
• Contractures and muscle spasms
Contraindications:
• Hypertensives
• Joint stiffness
• Wounds
• Decrease or loss of sensation
• Vasospasm
• Arteriosclerosis
• Cold intolerance

4. COLD-HOT PACKS

5. PARAFFIN
• It is a white substance , unctuous aspect , in the
form of wax, which is obtained from petroleum
distillation , so it is a hydrocarbon.
• Its melting point is 42 52 ° C
Indications:
• Arthritis
• After fracture
• Bursitis
• Tenosynovitis
• Joint stiffness
• Weakness or stiffness nerve injuries
• Post traumatic contractures
• Spasms and pain
Contraindications:
• Heat intolerance
• Weak or injured skin
• Tumoral processes
• Recent wounds
• Ulcers or open wounds
• Acute inflammatory processes

6. HYDROTHERAPY
• Application of water for therapeutic purposes, by immersion : either
total or partial and water jets.
• Stores and transmits thermal stimuli ( cold - hot)
Indications:
• Heating or cooling surface
• Control Edema
• Wound Care
• To improve cardiovascular circulation and
surface pressure .
Contraindications:
• Altered skin
• Around a wound infection
• Mushrooms
• Fever
• Skin cancer

7. HYDROTHERAPY
APPLICATION
TECHNIQUES
Bath jets Hubbard tank Contrast bath Exercise pool
Hydrotherapy can be applied to different circumstances

8. ULTRASOUND
INDICATIONS
• Areas of swelling and chronic
inflammation
• Bursitis
• Tendonitis
• Muscle Strain and tears
• Osteoarthritis
• Ligament and tendon injuries
CONTRAINDICATIONS
• Do not use if the patient suffers from:
• Malignant or cancerous tissue
• Acute infections
• Risk of haemorrhage
• Severely ischeamic tissue
• Recent history if venous thrombosis
• Exposed neural tissue
• Suspicion of a bone fracture
• If the patient is pregnant
• Do not use in the region of the gonads (sex
organs), the active bone growth plates of
children, or the eye.
The ultrasound waves are generated by
a piezoelectric effect caused by the
vibration of crystals within the head of
the probe. The ultrasound waves that
pass through the skin cause a vibration
of the local soft tissues. This vibration or
cavitation can cause a deep heating
locally though usually no sensation of
heat will be felt by the patient.
APPLICATION
This is moved continuously over the skin for
approximately 3-5 mins. Treatments may be
repeated 1-2 times daily in more acute injuries
and less frequently in chronic cases.
Ultrasound is applied using the head of an
ultrasound probe that is placed in direct
contact with your skin via a transmission
coupling gel.
EFFECTS
Therapeutic ultrasound has been shown to cause
increases in:
healing rates, tissue relaxation, tissue heating,
local blood flow, scar tissue breakdown.

9. Laser
INDICATIONS
•Ulcers
•Healing and tissue repair
•Rheumatoid arthritis
•Arthrosis
•Tendinopathies
•Fibromyalgia.
•Acute soft tissue injuries
•Back pain and neck pain
•Periostitis
•Fascitis
CONTRAINDICATIONS
• Tumors, even profound , for its stimulating
effect of tissue growth and increased
circulation .
• Venous thrombosis.
• Phlebitis.
• Hemorrhage
• Fever
• Epilepsy
• Artery disease.
• Infections infected wounds
• Pregnancy or menstruation on the abdominal
area or lumbar
Laser functions in different regions of the body
1. Tissue repair.
2. Collagen formation.
3. Benefits nerves and endorphins.
4. Acceleration of the lymphatic system and
reducing edema.
5. Revascularization and increased blood flow .
PRECAUTIONS
•Direct eye exposure should be avoided
because of the possibility of damage to the
retina.
•This is the greatest risk of irradiation with this
type of laser .
•The retina is a very sensitive to light structure ,
on which the lens focuses and concentrates
more energy .
•Therefore goggles should be used for both the
patient and the therapist.
Light by Amplification
Stimulated Emision of
Radiation

10. MAGNETO THERAPY
With the word magnetic therapy for therapeutic application of a magnetic field prevalently caused by low
and high frequencies.
The magnetotherapy regenerates the injured cells improving enzyme kinetics and repolarizes the cell
membranes.
Produces antistress action and promotes acceleration of all repairers phenomena with a direct action bio-
regenerating , antiinflammatory , antiedemática , antalgic and without side effects.

11. Magnet Therapy
Our devices are verysimple easy to use and can be used by anyone in your own home.
Our machines have many programs for different types of treatment can be used by the whol family as
the selection of programs , duration and frequency are already scheduled.

12. THE BENEFITS OF MAGNETO THERAPY
1.It relieves pain : acts as a powerful painkiller
2.Accelerates healing processes
3. Stimulates cellular Exchange
4. Improves oxygenation and nutrition of tissues
5. Reduces inflammation
6. It stimulates the reabsorption of edemas
7.Improves capillary flow
8.Regenerate cells lacking energy
9.Decelerates the process of decreasing bone density

13. THE ADVANTAGES OF MAGNETO THERAPY
1. Helps in alleviating pain and inflammation without the use of drugs.
2. It is a noninvasive and safe therapy
3. It does not generate pain
4. It has analgesic action
5. It can be applied without contraindications to most of the
pathologies
6. It reduces the time of healing of a fracture .

14. ELECTROSTIMULATION
Electrostimulation is the technique that uses electrical current to cause muscle contraction by a
device called electroestimulador to prevent, treat muscles, looking for a therapeutic purpose or
improved performance.

15. Electrostimulation technique is being used in rehabilitation for a long
time , providing important benefits in this field , especially to solve the
most common muscle diseases such as:
• Prevention and treatment of muscular atrophy
• Potentiation
• Contractures
• Increased force to joint stability
• The prophylaxis of thrombosis
• Stimulation of paralyzed muscles
• Also for the treatment of pain .