Table 3.

Classification of Agents According to Their Prevalent Effect on Tissues

Energy	Physical Agent	Treatments
Electromagnetic energy	Electric current, electromagnetic fields.	TENS, IFC, microcurrents, HVPC, F.E.S., NMES, PEMF, magnetic fields
Thermal energy	Micro-waves, short waves.	Hyperthermia, microwave diathermia, short-wave diathermia, CRet, laser therapy.
Mechanical energy	Mechanical sound waves.	Shock waves, ultrasound, cryoultrasound
	Vibrations.	Vibrational energy

Abbreviations: TENS, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; IFC, interferential current; HVPC, high voltage pulsed current; FES, functional electrical stimulation; NMES, neuromuscular electrical stimulation; PEMF, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy; CRet, capacitive and resistive energy transfer.