Physical Agents, Modalities, and Wound Care

About this course

A 3 CCU course on physical agent modalities and wound management, covering superficial thermal agents (hot packs, paraffin, fluidotherapy, cryotherapy), deep thermal agents (therapeutic ultrasound), electrotherapeutic agents (TENS, NMES, IFC, FES, iontophoresis, phonophoresis), laser and light therapy (low-level laser, infrared, ultraviolet), and mechanical traction, plus wound assessment, staging, debridement, dressing selection, and specialized management of lymphedema, diabetic ulcers, and pressure injuries. Includes a graded, 20-question post-course assessment; a score of 70% or higher is required to earn CCUs and generate a certificate of completion. Unlimited retakes.

Learning objectives

• Describe the biophysical principles underlying therapeutic heat transfer, electrical stimulation, and sound wave-based modalities used in rehabilitation.
• Compare indications, contraindications, and application parameters for superficial heat agents including hot packs, paraffin, and fluidotherapy.
• Identify the physiological effects of cryotherapy and apply evidence-based application techniques for therapeutic cold.
• Explain the thermal and non-thermal effects of therapeutic ultrasound and select appropriate treatment parameters for clinical conditions.
• Differentiate among electrical stimulation modalities (TENS, NMES, IFC, FES) and identify appropriate clinical applications for each.
• Describe the principles and clinical applications of iontophoresis and phonophoresis for transdermal drug delivery.
• Identify indications, contraindications, and parameter selection for cervical and lumbar mechanical traction.
• Evaluate wound characteristics using standardized staging systems and describe the phases of wound healing.
• Select appropriate wound care interventions, including debridement techniques, dressing selection, and adjunctive modalities.
• Apply safety standards and recognize contraindications and precautions for the use of physical agents in rehabilitation.

Course outline (14 modules)

1. M1Course Objectives & Financial Disclosures
2. M2Principles of Biophysics — Heat Transfer, Electrical Stimulation, and Sound Waves
3. M3Superficial Heat Agents — Hot Packs, Paraffin, Fluidotherapy
4. M4Cryotherapy — Physiological Effects, Indications, Application Techniques
5. M5Ultrasound — Thermal and Non-Thermal Effects, Parameters, Clinical Applications
6. M6Electrical Stimulation — TENS, NMES, IFC, Russian Current, FES
7. M7Iontophoresis and Phonophoresis — Drug Delivery via Physical Agents
8. M8Mechanical Traction — Cervical and Lumbar Indications, Parameters, Contraindications
9. M9Laser and Light Therapy — Low-Level Laser, Infrared, UV Applications
10. M10Wound Care Fundamentals — Wound Assessment, Staging, and Healing Phases
11. M11Wound Care Interventions — Debridement, Dressing Selection, Electrical Stimulation
12. M12Specialized Wound Management — Lymphedema, Diabetic Ulcers, Pressure Injuries
13. M13Contraindications, Precautions, and Safety Standards for Physical Agents
14. M14References