Physical Agents, Modalities, and Wound Care

About this course

Physical agents, therapeutic modalities, and wound management

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