The effect of therapeutic modalities on blood flow in the human calf

Presented at the Sports Physical Therapy Section Team Concept Meeting, December 1990, Orlando, FL. Local blood flow to the calf of human subjects during the application of therapeutic modalities was estimated using impedance plethysmography. The modalities compared included ice massage, ice pack, ultrasound, hot pack, ice massage and ultrasound, and hot pack and ultrasound. It was found that neither ice pack nor ice massage significantly decreased blood flow compared to the control. The hot pack caused a significant increase in blood flow during application. Ultrasound was found to significantly increase blood flow up to 45 minutes following application. The use of hot packs prior to the ultrasound treatment did not significantly enhance the effect of ultrasound. It was concluded that neither ice massage nor ice pack treatments would decrease blood flow. Ultrasound may be beneficial in increasing blood flow during rehabilitation. Treatment with a modality prior to ultrasound will not enhance the effect on blood flow. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1991;13(1):23-27.