introduction to Electrotherapy

1. PHYSICALAGENTS &
ELECTROTHERAPY-1
Dr. Waqas Fayyaz PT
DPT, MSPT(Neurology)*
Lecturer at University of Lahore
drwaqasfayyaz@gmail.com
Lecture 1

2. COURSE DETAILS
Physical agents &
Electrotherapy-1
COURSE
TITLE
Doctor of Physical
Therapy
PROGRAM
5th
SEMESTER
03 (2:1)
• Two Lectures/week
• One Lab/week
CREDIT
HOURS

3. COURSE FACULTY
Course Work
Dr. Waqas Fayyaz PT
Lab Work
Dr. Fariha Zulfiqar PT
Dr. Waqas Fayyaz PT

4. COURSE OBJECTIVES
Physiological & therapeutic uses,
risks, preventions, indications &
contraindications on the type of
electric current
Demonstrate fundamental skills
used to train in electrotherapy
modalities

5. üMidterm examination = 20 marks
üFinal Examination = 25 marks
üViva = 25 marks
üAssignment /Test/Attendance/Presentation = 30 marks
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

6. 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
REFERENCE BOOKS

7. Today Lecture Learning
Objectives
vElectrotherapy Definition
vPhysical agents Definition
vCurrents Basics
vCurrents Classifacition

8. PHYSICALAGENTS &
ELECTROTHERAPY-1
Introduction

9. 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.

10. PHYSICALAGENTS
“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 )

11. “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
Electric current

12. “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

13. 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
Conventional Current

14. 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
Charge

15. The property of having two oppositely charged
conductors, with the positive called the anode, and the
negative called the cathode.
CURRENTS
Polarity

16. 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
Voltage

17. 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

18. Larger units of frequency includes
Kilohertz (kHz)
Megahertz (MHz)
Gigahertz (GHz)
Terahertz (THz)
CURRENTS
FREQUENCY

19. “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)

20. CURRENTS
Direct Current (DC)

21. “A continuous bidirectional flow of charged particles is
known as alternating current (A C)”
CURRENTS
Alternating Current (AC)

22. CURRENTS
DC VS AC

23. “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
Pulsed Current

24. A review on the differences…
1. High Frequency Currents
2. Medium Frequency Currents
3. Low Frequency Currents
CURRENTS
Classification

25. 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

26. 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

27. 2 & 3. MEDIUM and LOW FREQUENCY
CURRENTS
ØSample modalities:
Electrical stimulators, Diadynamics, Biofeedback,
Iontophoresis, TENS, IF, Faradic.
CURRENTS
Classification

28. LOW FREQUENCY CURRENT
Superimposed currents
TENS
Dia-dynamic current
MEDIUM FREQUENCY CURRENTS
INTERFRENTIAL CURRENT
CURRENTS
Classification