Chapter 11: Therapeutic Modalities

OVERVIEW

In 2014, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) began recommending using the term “biophysical agents” to refer to physical agents and modalities. Also, the APTA Choosing Wisely campaign addressed the use of biophysical agents. Their first recommendation states: “Don’t employ passive physical agents except when necessary to facilitate participation in an active treatment program.”¹ They further state, “The use of passive physical agents is not harmful to patients except when they communicate to patients that the passive, instead of active, treatment is appropriate.” These statements highlight the need to carefully consider the clinical indications for applying biophysical agents. Biophysical agents decrease pain, improve skeletal muscle activity, and promote tissue healing. The physical therapist (PT) has several adjunctive interventions, each determined by the intervention goals documented in the plan of care (POC).