Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences,

Jamshoro
Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology

TJTP ASSIGNMENT

SUBMITTED BY:
IQRA ZULFIQAR
1. Short Wave Diathermy (SWD)

Shortwave diathermy (SWD) is a modality that produces heat by converting electromagnetic

energy into thermal energy. It has been used to treat pain from kidney stones and pelvic
inflammatory disease and muscle spasm.

How does Shortwave diathermy work?

The heat is produced by the oscillation of high frequency electric and magnetic fields. There
are two types of SWD units that create heat in different ways.
Inductive SWD units contain coils that create a magnetic field. This field projects forward
into the body and generates a circular, electric field within the target tissue.
Capacitive SWD units use condenser plates to transfer oscillations of electric field between
the plates. The target tissue is placed between the condenser plates and acts as a capacitor to
store electrical charge, resulting in local heating of the tissue.

2. Microwave diathermy
 Microwave diathermy uses microwaves to generate heat in the body. It can be used to evenly
warm deep tissues without heating the skin. Since it can’t penetrate deep muscles, it is best
suited for areas that are closer to the skin, such as the shoulders.

How does Microwave diathermy work?

The alternating current in the antenna produces an electromagnetic field that is directed
toward the tissue by a curved reflecting director surrounding the antenna.
The presence of a director and the short wavelength of microwave radiation allow this type
of diathermy to be focused and applied to small, defined areas. Therefore these devices can
be useful during rehabilitation when only small areas of tissue are involved.

3. Laser therapy

Laser therapy has been used for forty years to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation,
prevent tissue damage, heal wounds, and treat deeper tissues and nerves.
Laser therapy is low-intensity laser therapy that stimulates healing while using low levels of
light.
How does laser therapy works?

Different wavelengths and outputs of low-level light are applied directly to a targeted area.
Once the light energy passes through the layers of skin and reaches the target area, the body
tissue then absorbs the light. It initiates a series of events in the cell that result in healing
damaged or injured tissue, promotes regeneration, reduction in pain & inflammation and an
overall reduction in healing time by increasing intra-cellular metabolism.

4. Infrared therapy?
 The therapy uses certain wavelengths of light that are delivered to sites of the body that have
injuries. Infrared light helps cells regenerate or repair themselves. Infrared light also
improves the circulation of oxygen-rich blood in the body, promoting faster healing of deep
tissues and relieving pain.

How does infrared therapy work?

Infrared light penetrates to the inner layers of the skin at about 2 to 7 centimeters deep.
Hence, it reaches the muscles, nerves and even the bones. Many studies have shown that a
frequency of infrared light, with wavelengths from 700 to 1,000 nanometers, is best used for
healing inflammatory conditions.
Infrared light is absorbed by the photoreceptors in cells. Once absorbed, the light energy a
series of metabolic events, triggering several natural processes of the body on a cellular level.

5. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machine is used as an alternative to

painkilling medication. A TENS machine is a small, portable and battery-operated device
which is worn on the body. The box is attached by wires to sticky pads stuck to the skin.
Small electrical pulses are transmitted to the body, like little electric shocks.

How does TENS work?

A TENS machine, also known as a TENS unit or a nerve stimulator, consists of an electrical
impulse generator connected to electrodes placed on your skin. It works by delivering small
electrical impulses to stimulate the mechanisms that cause pain. TENS machines work in
three different ways:
They block the transmission of pain signals to the brain.
They stimulate the production of endorphins (which are natural painkillers).
They improve blood circulation.
6. Electrical Muscle Stimulation

Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) involves delivering small, low-voltage electrical

impulses to a muscle via electrodes placed on the skin, in order to cause the muscle to
contract, relieve inflammation and strengthen the muscle without involving the nervous
system.

How EMS and TENS machines work

It consists of an electrical impulse generator connected to electrodes that are placed on your
skin around the muscle to be treated. It also works by sending small electrical impulses,
which this time are delivered directly to the muscle, causing it to contract. The muscle
contracts and relaxes repeatedly, which helps to improve blood circulation, which in turn
serves to:
Relax the muscle
Minimise any inflammation
Prevent muscle atrophy
Speed up muscle healing
Stimulate muscle growth

7. Cervical lumbar traction

 Cervical spinal traction is used for the short-term treatment of neck pain. It is designed to
relieve muscle spasms and nerve root compression.
Using a manual (hands only) or mechanical technique, a steady or intermittent force is
applied to the neck to stretch the muscles and soft tissue and open up the spaces between the
upper vertebrae. The physical therapist determines the amount of force and length of time a
person remains in traction. Slowly, over time, the amount of pressure is increased.

Similarly, lumbar traction is the continuous or intermittent application of force to the spine
either manually or mechanically. The goal of lumbar traction is to reduce the pain associated
with nerve root impingement and muscle spasms.

How does cervical and lumber traction work?

During cervical (neck) spine traction, steady or intermittent force is applied to the neck
manually or mechanically. The manner of traction, how much force is used, and how long
you should remain in traction, depends on your condition.
During lumbar (lower back) spine traction, you lie on a motorized table. A harness is
fastened around your hips. The upper half of the table is fixed, while the lower half of the
table slides back and forth producing traction.
Traction may include 15-30 sessions, spread over a 4-6-week period.

Traction is not recommended when the structure of the spine is compromised such as in
osteoporosis, tumors or cervical rheumatoid arthritis.

8. Hot packs
Hot packs are a way of transferring heat to the patient by conduction. Common way to
deliver superficial moist heat and heating unit is called a hydrocollator (stainless steel tank in
which silica gel packs or bentonite crystal packs are heated).
 Relax muscles, causing tissue to relax
 Decrease pain caused by muscle tension or spasms.
 Vasodilatation of blood vessels which increases circulation

9. Ice pack
 Ice pack therapy will decrease muscle spasms, pain, and inflammation to bone and soft
tissue.
How does ice pack works?
Ice initially constricts local blood vessels and decreases tissue temperature. This constriction
decreases blood flow and cell metabolism, which can limit hemorrhage and cell death in an
acute traumatic injury. After approximately 20 minutes of ice, blood vessels in the injured
 area then dilate (open) slowly, increasing the tissue temperature, an effect which is termed
"reactive vasodilation.

10. Wax bath

Wax therapy, which uses a bath of molten paraffin wax, is one of the most effective ways of
applying heat to improve mobility by warming the connective tissues. Wax therapy is mainly
used on hands.

11. Ultrasound therapy

Therapeutic ultrasound is a treatment commonly used in physical therapy to provide deep

heating to soft tissues in the body. These tissues include muscles, tendons, joints, and
ligaments.

How Does Ultrasound Work?

Inside your physical therapist's ultrasound unit is a small crystal. When an electrical charge hits
this crystal, it vibrates rapidly, creating piezoelectric waves (an electric charge that accumulates
in some solid materials). These waves emit from the ultrasound sound head as ultrasound waves.

During treatment, the ultrasound wave then enters into your injured tissues. This exposure to
ultrasonic waves increases blood flow and cavitation, leading to the theorized benefits of the
treatment.