 Physical
therapy: Passive PT (modalities) for back pain
• Heat/ice packs for heat therapy and cold therapy
• Iontophoresis
• TENS units for electrotherapy
• Ultrasound
Multiple modalities are commonly employed to
reduce low back pain. They are especially useful
in alleviating acute low back pain (e.g. an intense,
debilitating episode of low back pain) for the
patient. Physical therapists or chiropractors
usually use passive modalities.
Heat/ice packs for heat
therapy and cold therapy
Heat and/or ice are easily available and are
the most commonly used type of modality. Each
type of therapy helps reduce muscle spasm and
inflammation.
Some patients find more pain relief with heat
therapy using heat packs and others with cold
therapy such as ice massage. The two may also
be alternated. They are generally applied for
10-20 minutes once every two hours, and are more
useful early on (the first few days) in the course
of an episode of pain.
Iontophoresis
Iontophoresis is a means of delivering steroids
through the skin. The steroid is applied to
the skin and then an electrical current is
applied that causes it to migrate under the
skin. The steroids then produce an anti-inflammatory
effect in the general area that is causing
pain. This modality is especially effective
in relieving acute episodes of pain.
TENS units for electrotherapy
A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator
(TENS) unit uses electrical stimulation to
modulate the sensation of low back pain by
overriding the painful signals that are sent
to the brain. A trial of electrotherapy with
the TENS unit is usually done first, and if
the patient experiences substantial pain relief,
a TENS unit may be used at home for low back
pain relief on a long-term basis.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a form of deep heating in which
sound waves are applied to the skin and penetrate
into the soft tissues. Ultrasound is especially
useful in relieving acute episodes of pain
and may enhance tissue healing. |
