More and more individuals are purchasing various therapeutic modalities for “At-Home, Self-Treatment” of pain, inflammation, and various musculoskeletal conditions. They are doing so to:

• Continue their physical therapy modality treatments once they have completed their in-clinic physical therapy sessions, or
• Administer their own therapeutic modality treatment in a self-help proactive approach to health and wellbeing

Therapeutic modalities are machines, tools, or devices that are used by physicians, therapists, or individuals to help reduce pain, improve circulation, control swelling, stimulate DNA expression and ATP production, protein synthesis, heal damaged tissues, improve range of motion, and strengthen atrophied muscles as part of therapeutic interventions for musculoskeletal injuries and conditions.

These include the modalities of ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), transcutaneous electrical neuromuscular stimulation (TENS), light therapy, laser therapy, shockwave therapy, shortwave diathermy, hot & cold therapy, manual therapy and manipulation devices, range of motion devices, etc. to compliment rehabilitative and performance enhancement efforts.

Those therapeutic modalities that are categorized as Class II Medical Devices, can only be purchased by a licensed healthcare professional, or with a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional. However, a few therapeutic modalities which pose minimal or no risk for personal injury due to improper application, can be purchased by the public by:

• Reading and agreeing to a CONSENT WAIVER FORM & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, or
• Providing a valid prescription from their licensed healthcare provider for the specific modality

Further, a few therapeutic modalities can be purchased by anyone with no need for prescription or waiver and acknowledgement.

Before we look at those specific therapeutic modalities, we should consider, what are the conditions or injuries for which select “At-Home, Self-Treatment” therapeutic modalities are used to treat?

 

Red Light Therapy (Non-Traditional/New Technology)

The red light technology presented here is a new and patented red light therapy referred to as Regenerative Light Technology, which is different from traditional light therapy. This new technology works in conjunction with the body’s own natural response to injury to stimulate DNA expression to regenerate and replace damaged tissues. This natural response is entirely non-thermal. The DNA expression sets in motion the synthesis of amino acids and protein chains; stimulates ATP production through RNA interaction with the mitochondria; and releases enzymes which relax soft tissues causing vessels and capillaries to expand under pressure. This causes increased ATP production, stimulation of blood flow for enhanced tissue oxygenation, growth factor release by blood platelets, and angiogenesis – all leading to enhanced healing.

Indications for Use: DNA Vibe’s patented and award-winning technology boosts the body’s natural DNA-driven regenerative processes to help avoid injury while improving and accelerating recovery from injury, surgery, chronic conditions, or just the daily grind.  Its signature elliptical geometry band is computer-optimized to fit comfortably and effectively wherever you crave relief (back, neck, knees, elbows, ankles, hands, feet and more).

Ultrasound Therapy

Ultrasound (US) uses high-frequency acoustic vibrations that generate mechanical sound waves that penetrate and transfer energy into body tissues. These sound waves produce thermal and nonthermal effects associated with deep heating of tissues, increased localized blood flow, pain relief, and an extensibility of tissues in preparation for therapeutic exercise as well as tissue regeneration through enhanced protein synthesis.

Indication for Use: Ultrasound therapy is used as a treatment in a variety of overuse, repetitive, compressive or irritative mechanisms of injury to muscular, skeletal, and connective tissues.

 

Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS)

The electrical stimulation of the nerves that innervate skeletal muscles provides an active exercise to those muscles that otherwise may not be worked or worked sufficiently due to a person not being able or hesitant to contract them voluntarily because of injury, pain, or immobilization.

Indications for Use: Electrical muscle stimulation helps strengthen weak muscles, increase muscle motor unit recruitment, decrease muscle spasticity, and maintain joint range of motion – helping to restore a muscle’s ability to generate force post-surgery or due to injury, reduce muscle inhibition to firing due to effusion, decrease pain with movement, and provide pain relief through enhanced blood flow and reduced joint stiffness.

 

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is a therapeutic modality that provides pain relief by reducing the pain signals that enter the spinal cord and thus transmitted to the brain, and by providing a stimulatory effect on the pituitary gland and parts of the central nervous system causing the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers.

Indications for Use: TENS is strictly a pain reducing modality to provide a person suffering from pain with relief from the deleterious effects on one’s quality of life, and to do so without dependance on opioids.

What Are the Specific “At-Home, Self-Treatment” Therapeutic Modality Products Most Commonly Purchased to Provide Effective Treatment of Pain, Inflammation, and the Manifestations of Various Musculoskeletal Conditions?

Presented below are top therapeutic modality devices purchased and used by the public for “At-Home, Self-Treatment” for a variety of conditions, along with information to assist you in determining which might be best for you and your condition(s).

Note: Click on the respective product’s "Learn More" button to access product page and full information on the product.

 

Model	Description
DNA Jazz Band Live Pro Red Light Therapy (DNA Vibe) (SKU: Live Pro)	Requirement to Purchase: No prescription or waiver required. Unique Product Use Advantages/Disadvantages: Computer optimized flexible and wearable band fits locally and comfortably on all body parts – can provide treatment anywhere on the body Non-thermal technology poses no risk of use Ease of use with no official training required - easy to read and understand “User’s Manual” Can be used to help prevent injury risk by conditioning tissues as well as healing damaged tissues Accessories: Car Power Adapter and Pro Power Pack make it so the Jazz Band can be used anytime and anywhere (without an electrical outlet)
US Pro 2000 Ultrasound Machine (Current Solutions - Richmar) (SKU: CS-DU3035)	Requirement to Purchase: Reading and agreeing to a CONSENT WAIVER FORM & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, or by submitting a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider for the product. Unique Product Use Advantages/Disadvantages: Far less expensive than clinical ultrasound machines Small, portable for easy transport – take it with you Ease of use with no official training required - easy to read and understand “User’s Manual” Only comes with 1 MHz acoustic frequency – used to treat deeper tissues (3 cm – 5 cm). Not as effective in treating more superficial tissues
ComboCare Electrotherapy Ultrasound Machine (Current Solutions - Richmar) (SKU: CS-DQ7844)	Requirement to Purchase: Must be purchased by a licensed healthcare provider or by submitting a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider for the product. Unique Product Use Advantages/Disadvantages: Combines ultrasound (US) therapy, electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in one machine More complicated use requirements will require thorough reading of “User’s Manual” and possibly some training in its use Ultrasound includes 1 MHz acoustic frequency to treat deeper tissues (3 cm – 5 cm) and 3 MHz acoustic frequency to treat more superficial tissues (1 cm – 2 cm)
InTENSity Select Combo TENS and EMS Unit (Current Solutions - Richmar) (SKU: CS-DI8195)	Requirement to Purchase: Reading and agreeing to a CONSENT WAIVER FORM & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, or by submitting a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider for the product. Unique Product Use Advantages/Disadvantages: Combines electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in one machine More complicated use requirements will require thorough reading of “User’s Manual” Very portable and light weight for travel
SoundCare Plus Ultrasound Machine (Roscoe Medical) (CS-DQ9275)	Requirement to Purchase: Must be purchased by a licensed healthcare provider or by submitting a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider for the product. Unique Product Use Advantages/Disadvantages: Ultrasound machine with two applicator heads, one at 5 cm and one at 1 cm, providing the ability to treat small areas more effectively with the 1 cm head Ultrasound includes 1 MHz acoustic frequency to treat deeper tissues (3 cm – 5 cm) and 3 MHz acoustic frequency to treat more superficial tissues (1 cm – 2 cm)

 

Therapeutic Modalities as a "Compliment to Therapeutic Exercise"

Therapeutic modalities are best used as “compliments” to therapeutic exercise or manual therapy by helping reduce the pain associated with therapeutic exercise, preparing the body tissues to respond better to exercise and therapy, helping to eliminate inflammation and effusion that hinders tissue healing, and boosts the body’s own natural healing mechanisms thus shortening the duration and/or extent of injury.

As such, an individual that decides to continue their post-therapy care or exclusively self-treat their condition at the get-go, should be engaging in therapeutic exercise, specifically applicable to rehabilitating their unique injury or condition, as part of their overall home exercise and recovery program. There are numerous exercise devices that are available to help a person continue their therapeutic exercise or to simply get a good exercise workout at home. Here is some brief information on different exercise devices and the links to a few such exercise facilitating devices that you may want to consider as part of your overall injury recovery and/or wellness program.

Exercise Therapy Balls: These are often used to strengthening your core and spine, improve balance and postural awareness, and increase overall athletic ability. 

https://www.prohealthcareproducts.com/exercise-therapy-balls/

 

Medicine Balls: These weighted exercise balls are used for strength training, rehabilitation, and improving balance and coordination through functional training movements for speed, power, endurance, and range of motion.

https://www.prohealthcareproducts.com/medicine-balls/

 

Exercise Resistance Bands: Resistance bands provide a versatile device used for strengthening muscles through constant tension throughout the joint range of motion with a reduced risk for injury as compared to free weights.

https://www.prohealthcareproducts.com/exercise-resistance-bands/

 

Resistance Training Weights: By subjecting the body’s muscles (and bones) to loads that are greater than they are accustomed those muscles develop strength and range of motion increases as they joints move through a full or good range of motion. Not only will this stimulus help heal damaged tissues but will help prepare the body to effectively perform the many activities of daily living that are required for a quality life. The training weights include cuff weights, dumbbells, kettlebells, weight bars, and other free weights.

https://www.prohealthcareproducts.com/resistance-training-weights/

 

Flexibility and Stretching Equipment: Because flexibility is the ability to move (joints) through a full range of motion with ease and fluidity, it is integral to achieve as part of a rehabilitation and recovery program, whether that be return to sport or simply return to normal activities of daily living. Stretching devices like stretch bands, foam rollers, mechanical stretch devices, etc., help a person to more effectively apply the forces to take joints through a full range of motion helping to reduce muscle tightness and associated pain of many musculoskeletal injuries and conditions.

https://www.prohealthcareproducts.com/flexibility-stretching-equipment/

 

While there are other exercise devices, for example those with very specific targeted treatment areas, the above exercise devices can serve to provide you with “at-home, self-treatment” exercises that are essential to the overall rehabilitative process.

In conclusion, there are a few sayings that are common among individuals in the fitness, wellness, and therapy/rehabilitation communities that signifies the importance of movement to the human body in preserving its health and viability or in overcoming injury and pathological conditions. One saying is, “The human body is designed to be worked.’ Another saying is, “It’s better to wear out than to rust out”. Taken together, these statements, or rather declarations of truth, can teach us, and hopefully motivate us, to prioritize the proper and complete rehabilitation of injured bodies and the maintenance of healthy bodies – both of which affect our ability to “go-and-do” and enjoy a higher quality of life.