Online Continuing Education Courses

• Understand electrical principles so that you can predict the amount and location of current flow in human tissues including muscles. 
• Decide whether an individual is appropriate for EStim given relevant contraindications, precautions, and associated risks.
• Link electrode placement and electrical waveform selection. 
• Chose common electrical stimulus parameters based on the desired outcome and individual patient needs. 
• Describe application techniques that are safe, comfortable, and effective manner. 
• Identify resources for continue learning and application of knowledge

• Describe 3 benefits and the effects of the use of external compression
• Outline and describe 5 clinical indications for the use of external compression
• List 5 contraindications and precautions
• Outline and describe application techniques for bandaging, compression garments, and compression pumps
• Examine the adverse effects of external compression

• Define 4 physical properties of water
• Describe 6 physiological effects of hydrotherapy
• Examine 4 uses for the use of hydrotherapy in clinical practice
• List and describe 4 adverse effects and 5 contraindications and precautions for hydrotherapy
• Compare and contrast clinical use and application techniques
• Examine and describe 3 important safety considerations for infection prevention

(This content is NOT included in the Therapeutic Modalities 101 course)

Electrical Currents for Soft Tissue Healing

• Explain how electrical stimulation facilitates wound healing
• Describe 3 parameters for electrical stimulation to promote wound healing
• Explore and list 2 parameters for the use of iontophoresis
• Describe the use of electrical currents for edema control
• List 3 precautions and 3 contraindications for the use of electrical currents in tissue healing

Electrical Currents for Pain Control

• Describe the use of conventional TENS, Low-rate and Burst-Mode TENS for the use of pain control
• List and describe 3 contraindications for the use of electrical currents for pain control
• Examine parameters such as waveform, electrode placement, amplitude, treatment time and frequency in the use of electrical currents for the use ofpain control
• Read case studies and highlight clinical application

(This content is NOT included in the Therapeutic Modalities 101 course)

• Describe 5 clinical indications for the use of spinal traction
• Outline and describe application techniques for mechanical traction, lumbar, cervical, self and positional traction
• Examine important aspects included in documentation for the use of traction

• Discuss the physical properties of electromagnetic radiation
• Become familiar with the history and physical properties of lasers and lights
• List and describe 6 effects of lasers and lights
• Review the indications and contraindications for the use of lasers and lights
• Outline the steps involved in the application of lasers and lights
• Discuss important components involved in documentation with the use of lasers and lights
• Read case studies to understand clinical application
• Outline and describe the physical properties of ultraviolet radiation
• Describe 5 effects of ultraviolet radiation
• List and examine 2 clinical indications for the use of ultraviolet radiation
• List 5 contraindications and adverse effects for the use of ultraviolet radiation
• Describe application techniques for ultraviolet radiation

(Content from this course is included in the Therapeutic Modalities 101 course. Do not take this individual course if you plan or have taken TM 101)

Introduction to Electrical Currents

• Define and describe 3 electrical current parameters including waveforms, time-dependent and other electrical current parameters
• Describe 3 positive effects of electrical currents
• List 3 contraindications and precautions for the use of electrical currents
• Outline the steps for application including patient positioning, electrode type and placement and list 3 general considerations

Electrical Currents for Muscle Contraction

• Describe the physiology involved in muscle contraction in the innervated muscle
• Describe clinical application for orthopedic, neurologic and sports medicine
• Describe muscle contraction for denervated muscle
• List 5 precautions and contraindications
• Outline parameters including, but not limited to, electrode placement, positioning, frequency and amplitude for the use of electrical stimulation for innervated muscles

(This content is NOT included in the Therapeutic Modalities 101 course)

• Analyze the thermal and nonthermal benefits of ultrasound
• Discuss the clinical application of ultrasound in the use of soft tissue shortening, pain control, bone fractures and other clinical conditions
• List 5 contraindications and precautions for the use of ultrasound
• Describe application techniques and parameters surrounding the use of ultrasound
• Discuss components of ultrasound that should be included in documentation
• Examine and discuss the physical properties of diathermy
• Compare and contrast diathermy applicators
• Describe the thermal and nonthermal effects of diathermy
• Outline application techniques and understand positioning for diathermy
• Read case studies to highlight clinical application

(Content from this course is included in the Therapeutic Modalities 101 course. Do not take this individual course if you plan or have taken TM 101)

• Describe and differentiate 3 different types of motion
• Describe capsular and noncapsular patterns of motion restrictions
• Analyze 5 pathologies that can restrict motion
• Compare and contrast examination and evaluation techniques for motion restriction
• Assess 3 methods for treating motion restrictions
• Discuss the role of physical agents in the treatment of motion restrictions
• List 5 contraindications and precautions to range of motion techniques
• Read and examine case studies to highlight clinical application

(Content from this course is included in the Therapeutic Modalities 101 course. Do not take this individual course if you plan or have taken TM 101)

• Describe the various challenges to assessing tone abnormalities
• Compare and contrast hypertonicity vs. hypotonicity
• Describe and differentiate quantitative measuring of muscle tone vs. qualitative measuring of muscle tone
• Review and describe anatomical bases of muscle tone including neural and muscular contributions
• Describe abnormal muscle tone and list 3 consequences of abnormal tone
• Read clinical case studies to highlight and understand clinical application

(Content from this course is included in the Therapeutic Modalities 101 course. Do not take this individual course if you plan or have taken TM 101)

• Describe the mechanism of pain receptors and how pain is transmitted
• Discuss the gate control theory and how pain is modulated and controlled
• Compare and contrast the 6 different types of pain including: acute, chronic, nociceptive, neuropathic, dysfunctional, and psychogenic
• Analyze 3 different ways to assess pain including the use of pain scales
• Describe 5 different approaches for managing pain including the use of physical agents, pharmacological, exercise, and other pain management programs
• Read case studies to highlight and understand clinical application

(Content from this course is included in the Therapeutic Modalities 101 course. Do not take this individual course if you plan or have taken TM 101)

• List 5 different modes of heat transfer
• Define and differentiate conduction, convection, conversion, radiation, evaporation
• Describe 3 effects of cold and 4 effects of heat
• Indicate 4 clinical uses for heat and 4 uses for cold
• List and describe 2 contraindications for heat and 2 contraindications for cold
• Analyze 4 adverse effects of thermotherapy
• Describe the application techniques of both hot and cold
• Describe important components for documentation for thermal modalities
• Read case studies to highlight clinical application
• Discuss clinical reasoning for choosing between cryotherapy and thermotherapy

(Content from this course is included in the Therapeutic Modalities 101 course. Do not take this individual course if you plan or have taken TM 101)

• Outline and describe 3 phases of inflammation and healing
• Describe and differentiate chronic healing from acute healing
• List and examine various features that effect the healing process
• Outline and describe the healing of specific musculoskeletal tissues including cartilage, bone, ligaments and muscle
• Review case studies that highlight clinical application

• Review the history of PAMS in physical medicine and rehabilitation
• Outline and analyze the role of PAMS in rehabilitation
• Discuss the use of PAMS and evidence based practice
• Describe how PAMS can be used in different health care settings
• List and define terminology associated with PAMS

• List and examine 3 categories of physical agents
• Outline and describe 4 effects of physical agents
• List contraindications and precautions for the use of physical agents
• Describe the process for evaluating and planning for the use of physical agents
• List important considerations for documentation for the use of physical agents

(Content from this course is included in the Therapeutic Modalities 101 course. Do not take this individual course if you plan or have taken TM 101)