JKO An Introduction to the Electromagnetic Spectrum in Military Operations

What are physical agents?

Broad category of therapeutic devices or materials used to complement skilled interventions with the primary goal of minimizing or preventing impairment, functional limitation, handicap, and the disability associated with pathology
- can be termed electrophysical agents
(broad group of therapeutic agents)

Categories of physical agents: thermal agents

- Deep-heating agents
- superficial heating agents
- cooling agents

Categories of physical agents: mechanical agents

- Traction
- Compression
- Water
- Sound

Categories of physical agents: electromagnetic agents

- electromagnetic fields
- electric currents

General effects of physical agents

- Manipulate inflammation and healing
- relieve pain
- after tissue extensibility
- modify muscle tone

Thermal agents:

- Transfer energy to a patient (increase and decrease temperature)
- Different thermal agents produce different changes in temperature (heat pack: superficial tissues, ultrasound: greatest changes in tissues with high ultrasound coefficients such as tendons)

Role of thermal agents

- increase tissue temperature
- increase circulation, metabolic rate, soft tissue extensibility
- decrease pain
- decrease tissue temperature
- decrease circulation, metabolic rate, and decrease pain

Mechanical agents

1. compression
2. Hydrotherapy
3. Traction

Compression:

used to counteract fluid pressure or reverse edema

Hydrotherapy:

Role of buoyancy, temperature exchange, resistance to movement

Traction:

Alleviate pressure on structures