Thermal Modalities involve the use of warm or cold agents to help in the rehabilitation of injuries. Their uses may assist in increasing blood flow, decreasing swelling and inflammation, increasing mobility, and decreasing pain. Thermal modalities include, but are not limited to, moist heating packs, therapeutic ultrasound, contrast baths, and ice packs.
Electrical Modalities involve the use of electrical agents to help in the rehabilitation of injuries. Comfortable stimulation of the tissue may assist in increasing blood flow, decreasing swelling, increasing mobility, increasing function, and decreasing pain. Electrical modalities include, but are not limited to, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), Interferential Current (IFC), therapeutic ultrasound, and Neuromuscular Electrical Nerve Stimulation (NMES/EMS).