US Basics
This effect describes how an electrical current electrical energy is converted into mechanical energy, which generates sound waves.
What is the reverse piezoelectrical effect?
This ultrasound mode is typically prescribed for heating tissues.
What is continuous mode?
This term refers to the modification of biological processes using light.
What is photobiomodulation?
This technique divides the treatment area into square centimeters for targeted laser application.
What is the gridding technique?
This condition involving elevated body temperature is a contraindication for both ultrasound and laser therapy.
What is fever (body temperature >100.4°F)?
Ultrasound waves travel as this type of wave through tissue.
What is a longitudinal wave?
This coupling medium is required for ultrasound to effectively transmit energy.
What is gel (or water or gel pads)?
This type of laser emits less than 500 mW and does not heat body tissues.
What is a cold laser (Class 3B)?
This wavelength is associated with near-infrared LED therapy and penetrates 10–14 mm.
What is 875 nm?
Laser therapy should not be used near these implanted medical devices.
What are electrical implants (e.g., insulin pumps, pain pumps, cardiac pacemakers)?
This term refers to the decrease in ultrasound energy as it passes through tissues.
What is attenuation?
The optimal temperature range for therapeutic heating effects in tissue is between these two values.
What is 104°F to 113°F?
This law determines how deeply light penetrates tissue based on absorption.
What is the Beer-Lambert Law?
This type of LED is used for treating acne and MRSA and penetrates 3–4 mm.
What is blue LED (~460 nm)?
Although ultrasound can be used near these surgical implants, caution is required due to potential reflection and localized heating.
What metal screws or joint implants?
The frequency of 3 MHz is best suited for treating injuries at this depth.
What is 2–3 cm (superficial tissues)?
This technique uses ultrasound to help move topical medication into tissue.
What is phonophoresis?
This organelle is stimulated by light therapy to produce ATP.
What is the mitochondrion?
This formula is used to calculate laser dosage.
What is (average power × treatment time) / treatment area?
When using ultrasound, this type of tissue can absorb energy more efficiently than any other, requiring caution.
What is superficial bone?
These are the non-thermal effects of pulsed ultrasound.
What are: histamine release, enhanced protein synthesis, improved capillary density, and tissue regeneration—all without raising tissue temperature.
This tissue absorbs ultrasound energy at twice the rate of muscle.
What are peripheral nerves?
This classification of laser is the most powerful and potentially dangerous.
What is Class IV?
This response describes how low doses of light stimulate tissue repair while high doses inhibit pain.
What is the biphasic dose response?
When using laser therapy, this skin characteristic may absorb more light energy, requiring careful adjustment of dosage to avoid overheating.
What is darker skin pigmentation?