Waco Physical Therapy Modalities

Transcutaneous nerve stimulation, most commonly referred to as TENS, is a variation of the E-stim modality. This treatment involves mild electric currents delivered by a small, battery-operated device that can be utilized without a physical therapist. The sensation from the electric current manages the discomfort a patient feels by interrupting the pain signal being sent to the brain. TENS can be used to manage chronic and acute pain, as well as muscle spasms.

The opposite of heat therapy, cold or ice therapy is commonly used to reduce inflammation and decrease blood flow in a specific area during the acute healing phase. Cold therapy can effectively decrease swelling in muscles and injured joints. Often, cold or ice therapy will start with a form of heat therapy to warm up muscles and increase mobility before therapeutic exercise. The cold or ice therapy will then follow these exercises to help reduce inflammatory responses and swelling.