Someone on the Chiropractic Assistants E-Mail List asked:
Is there a difference between the two terms (Modalities vs. Therapies)? Does it have to do with attended/non- attended? Do different insurance companies have different wording for them?
Susan McClelland answered:
Yes, there is a difference.
Modalities are defined as “Any physical agent applied to produce therapeutic changes to biologic tissues; includes but not limited to thermal, acoustic, light, mechanical, or electric energy.” They can be attended OR non-attended.
The definition of modalities was added to CPT 1995 to indicate the different types of service included in this section. To clarify the work performed by the provider, the section is divided into two parts; Supervised and Constant Attendance. Supervised modalities are defined as the application of a modality that does not require direct (one on one) patient contact by the provider. Constant Attendance is defined as the application of a modality that requires direct (one on one) patient contact by the provider.
Therapeutic Procedures are defined as “A manner of effecting changethrough the application of clinical skills and/or services thatattempt to improve function.” These require direct patient contact.
The definition of therapeutic procedures was added to CPT 1995 to clarify the differences between therapeutic procedures, modalities, and tests and measurements. These procedures require direct one on one patient contact by a physician or therapist.
Therapies is kind of general term used by many people to describeall physical medicine procedures — modalities, therapeuticprocedures, acupuncture, and sometimes, even CMT.
Most insurance companies will refer to the CPT terms described above.
Thanks to Susan McClelland for this contribution!
Return to the CHIROPRACTIC ASSISTANT Section
by Victoria Bartnikowski, LPTA
Dictionary.com defines a modality as: “Medicine/Medical- the application of a therapeutic agent, usually a physical therapeutic agent”. It is also expected that the use of a modality will produce some sort of physiologic response or change. So, it follows that treatments that we provide to patients for their musculoskeletal problems can be considered modalities. In this article, I will discuss the modalities we use here at OSC, and what their purpose served if treating patients in a Physical Therapy setting. This list is not inclusive of all modalities, but gives those most commonly used.
Electrical Stimulation – The use of an adjustable electric current to reduce muscle spasms by regulating and modulating contraction rhythm. This can help increase strength in a weak muscle and also help to increase blood flow to the area as the muscle contracts to improve healing. An excellent therapy after surgery or injury.
TENS – Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation – A small, battery operated device delivers a mild electric current, similar to electrical stimulation in the clinic, through electrodes applied to the skin. The patient feels a tingling sensation from the current which moderates discomfort by disrupting the pain signal sent to the brain. It is helpful for muscle spasms and chronic pain not helped with exercise or medication. This does not need a Physical Therapist to operate, is portable and can be adjusted by the patient anywhere.
Hot Packs – These are kept in a steamer and then wrapped in towels before being placed on the patient. The steam creates moisture, which along with the heat, penetrates tight and sore muscles, relaxing them and increasing blood flow to the area. They are especially helpful for arthritis, muscle spasms and strains.
Cold Packs – These are kept in a cold box and can be wrapped in either dry or wet towels before being applied to the patient. The cold reduces blood flow and inflammation thereby providing pain relief for the patient. The reduction in swelling is very beneficial for post-surgical patients and those with acute strains and sprains.
Ultrasound – Ultrasound is used to transmit sound waves into painful areas, relaxing and warming the tissues and causing increased blood flow. This treatment is great for muscle spasms and trigger points.
Traction – the use of a modulated force to pull the body lengthwise or longitudinally, to pull apart or distract spinal vertebrae to relieve pressure on compressed nerves, thereby reducing pain and inflammation. This can be done by placing the patient on a specially designed traction machine or it can be done manually. Traction can be used for both cervical and lumbar portions of the spine.
Low Level Laser Therapy – the use of red-beam light to detect impedances (resistance) found in tissue. This modality can be used in conjunction with electrical stimulation and can be used for both acute and chronic conditions, such as decreasing edema, pain control and reducing scar tissue.
Functional Dry Needling– performed by Physical Therapists, use of a monofilament needle to release myofascial trigger points or tight muscles, reducing pain and improving range of motion.
Modalities are therapeutic tools that we use to help our patients recover from surgery, injury or a condition that causes pain and dysfunction, so they can get back to the activities they enjoy.
modality
[
mo-dal´ĭ-te
]
1. in homeopathy, a condition that modifies drug action; a condition under which symptoms develop, becoming better or worse.
2. a method of application of, or the employment of, any therapeutic agent; limited usually to physical agents.
3. a specific sensory entity, such as taste.
Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.
mo·dal·i·ty
(
mō-dal’i-tē
), Avoid the jargonistic use of this word as a synonym of
method
or
treatment
.
),
1. A form of application or employment of a therapeutic agent or regimen.
2. Various forms of sensation, for example, touch, vision, etc.
[Mediev. L. modalitas, fr. L. modus, a mode]
Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
modality
(mō-dăl′ĭ-tē)
n. pl. modali·ties
1. Medicine A therapeutic method or agent, such as surgery, chemotherapy, or electrotherapy, that involves the physical treatment of a disorder.
2. Physiology Any of the various types of sensation, such as vision or hearing.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
modality
Homeopathy
A general term for any factor that alleviates or aggravates a main symptom as an expression of the uniqueness of the individual.
Examples
Chest pain worsened by heat, by sitting, or at night.
Oncology
A manner or type of therapy, such as teletherapy, brachytherapy, hyperthermia and stereotactic radiation.
HomeopathyA general term for any factor that alleviates or aggravates a main symptom as an expression of the uniqueness of the individual.ExamplesChest pain worsened by heat, by sitting, or at night.OncologyA manner or type of therapy, such as teletherapy, brachytherapy, hyperthermia and stereotactic radiation.
Segen’s Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
mo·dal·i·ty
(
mō-dal’i-tē
)
1. A form of application or employment of a therapeutic agent or regimen.
2. Various forms of sensation, e.g., touch, vision.
[Mediev. L. modalitas, fr. L. modus, a mode]
Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012
modality
1. A type or mode, especially of sensation, of the senses or of medical treatment.
2. A quality that denotes mode, mood or manner.
Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005
Modality
A factor or circumstance that makes a patient’s symptoms better or worse. Modalities include such factors as time of day, room temperature, the patient’s level of activity, sleep patterns, etc.
Mentioned in: Ipecac
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
modality
One of the types of sensation (e.g. vision). The term is usually used to specify the sense (e.g. the visual modality, the touch modality).
Millodot: Dictionary of Optometry and Visual Science, 7th edition. © 2009 Butterworth-Heinemann
mo·dal·i·ty
(
mō-dal’i-tē
)
1. A form of application or employment of a therapeutic agent or regimen.
2. Various forms of sensation.
[Mediev. L. modalitas, fr. L. modus, a mode]
Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012
Patient discussion about modality
Q. I would like to know the modality of treatments available for breast cancer. Can anyone explain me? My best friend is 30yrs, female. She is just diagnosed with breast cancer. Her doctor said that she is in the initial stage and nothing serious. I would like to know the modality of treatments available for breast cancer. Can anyone explain me?
A. i’m sorry to hear…it’s not easy to know a good friend of yours have cancer. all you need to know of a the newest and best treatments you can find right here:
http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/index.jsp
good luck to you and your friend! and keep me posted.
More discussions about modality
This content is provided by iMedix and is subject to iMedix Terms. The Questions and Answers are not endorsed or recommended and are made available by patients, not doctors.
What Is a Modality?
Therapists use a lot of words that we assume our parents understand. We often forget that they don’t! I was reviewing some of the terms we use and decided that I wanted to talk to you about one word I use a lot—modality.
You will hear your therapist use the word “modality” quite a bit. So what is a modality? A modality in health care can be a piece of equipment, a form of treatment, or an intervention strategy. In other words, it’s a generic word we use to encompass many things. I’ll give you some examples of how we use the term “modality.”
How a Physical Therapist May Describe a Modality
Your physical therapist might use hot packs, ultrasounds, and massages. These are all modalities. We use kinesiotaping, which is a treatment modality. We have several therapists who are trained in sensory integration and neurodevelopmental technique (NDT). Those are modalities that are being provided. The interactive metronome that you’ve probably seen here many times is a modality. The cranio bed for craniosacral therapy is a modality. The listening programs we’ve been talking about lately with the bone conduction units—that’s another modality! So is VitalStim for speech therapy, along with SOS feeding. Aquatics is another great modality we offer!
Multiple Modalities For Each Therapy Discipline
So we have multiple modalities by discipline that we work with all the time. Very often our therapists have gone to specific training to learn how to use these modalities and have become certified in them after they’ve become a therapist.
Education of Our Therapists
One thing that most families do not know is that when therapists come out of school they’re all pretty much on a level playing field. Once they start treating clients and depending on where they work and how much training and continuing education is emphasized in their clinic, therapists will grow at different rates. If you are at a facility that offers a lot of modalities and invests a great deal in continuing education you will have a higher caliber, better-trained clinician.
This is why we update our bios often so that you guys are always up to date on which modalities and specializations we offer!
I hope this helps you to understand what we mean when we talk about modalities, and I hope this makes you a better detective when you’re deciding where to go for treatment! If you have any questions at all about our modalities, we’d love to talk with you!
