Therapeutic Modality

According to Dictionary.com: 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.

In physical therapy, physical modalities are treatment methods commonly incorporated by physical therapists to address a range of inflammatory conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, muscle sprain, muscle spasms, and tendonitis which are often painful and result in limited mobility.
Moreover, these modalities involve the application of different types of energy, including electrical, thermal, and mechanical to stimulate the body's natural healing processes. The goal of using modalities in physical therapy is to help patients achieve better function, mobility, and overall quality of life. Some of the most common physical therapy modalities include: Electrical stimulation (electrotherapy), Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS), Cryotherapy (ice or cold plunges), Heat therapy (hot packs or saunas), Massage, Ultrasound, Traction, Laser therapy.
(Source: AliMed)

– There is mostly a difference in physiotherapy between Manual physiotherapy and Modality-Based Physiotherapy.