What is "passive" physical therapy?

What is "passive" physical therapy?

Marc Darrow (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Joint Rehabilitation Sports Medical Center, Inc. ) gives expert video advice on: In what ways is physical therapy used to manage chronic pain? and more...

Passive physical therapy is a therapy where the person doesn't really have to do anything. They're pretty much immobile for the most part. Passive physical therapy may be something like ultrasound, which is a deep heat. It may be electrical stimulation, which is often through pads that are placed in an area of inflammation. Passive physical therapy may be something like iontophoresis or phonophoresis, which is when substances are placed on the skin and, electrically or through sound waves, driven deep into the skin to reduce inflammation and pain by use of the device.