Electrotherapy is an important and very versatile part of the physio’s arsenal when battling pain, injury and promoting a quick recovery. Your physiotherapist can use electrotherapy in a wide variety of different ways to reduce nerve pain, promote muscle healing, control pain without drugs, and prevent or reverse muscle atrophy.
What is electrotherapy treatment and how does it work?
This treatment option is useful for treating chronic pain, muscle wasting, musculoskeletal injuries, and nerve pain by using targeted and controlled electrical stimulation. Though there are plenty of electrotherapy treatments using various devices, they are non-invasive and have minimal to no side effects.
Can electrotherapy help with chronic pain?
From a physiotherapy point of view, affecting one’s ‘Pain Gate’, whether in an acute or chronic pain episode, is crucial area of treatment and electrotherapy is a very useful resource where conventional medicines are not as affective.
Can electrotherapy help prevent muscle atrophy?
Fortunately, electrotherapy — specifically electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) — can help prevent atrophy by stimulating muscles to contract. Sometimes, EMS is used to stimulate muscles to contract, while a TENS machine is used to help reduce the pain associated with atrophy.
What is EMS (electrotherapy)?
This therapy is used to help stimulate collagen production, release painful trigger points, and reduce inflammation in the body. It's also very useful for musculoskeletal conditions like plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, and Achilles tendinopathy. While some methods of electrotherapy target nerves, EMS targets muscle tissue .
What is electronic physiotherapy?
Electrotherapy: What it is & How it Works A powerful tool used by many physiotherapists, electrotherapy treats chronic pain, musculoskeletal injuries, muscle wasting, and nerve pain by using targeted and controlled electrical stimulation.
What are the types of electrotherapy?
Types of ElectrotherapyTranscutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS)Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS)Interferential current (IFC)Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF)Galvanic stimulation (GS)
What is the basic concepts of electrotherapy?
The electrotherapy modalities involve the introduction of some physical energy into a biological system. This energy brings about one or more physiological changes, which are used for therapeutic benefit.
What is the benefit of electrotherapy?
Electrotherapy is highly beneficial in managing pain without entering the system. One just needs to apply the system on the surface, non-invasively to reduce the body pain. There are 5 modalities of electric currents for specific chronic and acute pain in different areas.
When is electrotherapy used?
Electrotherapy has been used to address chronic pain and chronic fatigue in general, as well as:Diabetic nerve pain.Fibromyalgia.Migraine headaches.Wound healing.Stimulating bone growth.
Can electrotherapy cause nerve damage?
In addition, although short-term electrical stimulation is not damaging to nervous tissue, chronic electrical stimulation can damage nerve structure.
How does electrotherapy reduce pain?
Electrotherapy uses electrical signals to interfere with the transmission of neural pain signals into the brain. It effectively slows down or distracts the message from the nerve to the brain. In this technique, a small electrical device delivers electrical impulses across the skin.
How long should you do electrotherapy?
You can begin with one 15-minute therapy session. Repeat for another 15 minutes if needed. Use up to three times per day at a maximum. During each therapy, rate your pain before and after the session, 1 (low) to 10 (high) in order to gauge the true reduction of pain.
What are the different types of electrical currents used in beauty?
There are four main types of treatment, that differ in the type of current they use (see Comparison table, below), including:Galvanic treatment.Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) (also known as Faradic treatment)Micro-current electrical neuromuscular stimulation (MENS)High-frequency treatment.
Who is the father of electrotherapy?
Paul M. Zoll, M.D.-- the father of "modern" electrotherapy and innovator of pharmacotherapy for life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Resuscitation. 2007 May;73(2):178-85.
What is a electrotherapy machine?
An electrotherapy machine will produce an electrical current that is passed through the skin and into the muscles. This stimulates the muscles as well as the surrounding nerves, which can provide a variety of benefits. Specifically, it can help to ease pain so that you can perform normal activities.
What is electrotherapy for muscles?
Electrotherapy is a physical therapeutic treatment whereby electrical stimulation is applied to nerves and muscle-motor fibres via electro-pads placed on the skin. There are different types of electrotherapeutic devices in rehabilitation clinics today, with T.E.N.S. being one of the most popular options.
What is IFT therapy?
Here at The Physio Company we also use an electrotherapy modality called interferential therapy (IFT). It is essentially a deeper form of TENS. It utilises two high frequency currents which are slightly out of phase, and are passed through the skin at the same time where they are set up so that their paths cross and simply interfere with each other. This interference gives way to a beat frequency which has the characteristics of low frequency stimulation deep under the skin.
What is electrotherapy used for?
Electrotherapy uses electrical signals to interfere with the transmission of neural pain signals into the brain.
How long does low frequency pain last?
Low-frequency stimulation, sometimes called “acupuncture-like”, is more uncomfortable and tolerable for around 20-30 minutes, but the resultant pain relief lasts longer.
How many clinical applications of IFT?
There are 4 main clinical applications for which IFT has been found to be effective:
What is a small electrical device?
A small electrical device (think back to the days of the Walkman!) delivers electrical impulses across the skin. Lightweight versions not much bigger than a credit card are available these days. This can be clipped to your jeans or placed in your pocket.
Does electrotherapy slow down pain?
It effectively slows down or distracts the message from the nerve to the brain. From a physiotherapy point of view, affecting one’s ‘Pain Gate’, whether in an acute or chronic pain episode, is crucial area of treatment and electrotherapy is a very useful resource where conventional medicines are not as affective.
Where should electrodes be placed on Tens?
Electrodes can be placed over the painful area, surrounding the painful area, over the nerve supplying the painful area, or even on the opposite side of the body.
Electrotherapy in Port Moody & Coquitlam: How Does it Work?
Electrotherapy can be used to treat chronic pain, musculoskeletal injuries, and nerve pain with measured electrical stimulation. It’s an extremely gentle method of treatment that works in a number of different ways, depending on the machine employed:
What are the Different Types of Electrotherapy Treatments?
There are different devices that deliver electrotherapy in different ways. In some instances, your therapist will place electrode pads placed on your skin using adhesives that are connected to a specialized device for generating an electrical charge. The pads are designed to transfer the electrical energy through the skin and into your body.
Electrical Muscle Stimulation (Often called EMS)
While some methods of electrotherapy target nerves, EMS doesn’t target nerves; it targets muscle tissue and is designed to contract them by exploiting the body’s natural motor neurons. EMS is typically employed to treat atrophy.
Shockwave Electrotherapy
Shockwave therapy delivers high-energy acoustic waves. It can be used with a transducer and specialized gel to release trigger points and reduce inflammation. Physiotherapists often use this method to treat musculoskeletal problems such as tennis or golfer’s elbow.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS machine)
You’ve likely heard about TENS before. The physiotherapist will use a small device that delivers electrical pulses, stimulating nerves and reducing pain
Therapeutic Ultrasound Treatment
This treatment causes a heating effect in the body’s tissues, such as tendons and muscles, and promotes good circulation. It’s often used to speed up healing and employs a transducer. Your physio might turn to Therapeutic ultrasound to treat knee injuries or to address tendonitis.
Interferential Electrotherapy Treatment
This method is sometimes referred to as IFT and uses a low-frequency pulse to stimulate muscles and reduce pain. It’s a better alternative than TENS for some patients.
How Does Electrical Stimulation Therapy Work?
Electrotherapeutic devices can offer different therapeutic waveforms. An electrical stimulation device includes electrodes that are attached to the treatment area and when activated, the electrical energy of the device causes the muscles to contract. This contraction imitates the body’s natural movement during activity and can prevent muscular atrophy.
What is microcurrent used for?
Microcurrent. Microcurrent is also used for wound healing, utilizing micro-size, pulsing current. Because of its low intensity, microcurrent is the most tolerated waveform in electrotherapy. Related Article: Waveforms Used in Electrical Stimulation Therapy.
What is high voltage?
High Voltage. High Voltage electrical stimulation is a monophasic waveform which uses polarity (positive or negative) to stimulate the tissue. This is a popular modality to aid in decreasing pain and swelling, reducing muscle spasms and facilitating wound healing.
What are the most common waveforms used in electrical stimulation?
The most common waveforms found in electrical stimulation are: TENS, Russian, Interferential, Premodulated, Biphasic, High Voltage and Microcurrent. Each waveform has its own therapeutic benefits, so many devices may offer the practitioner multiple waveforms in order to offer them the most use across diverse patient.
What is electrotherapy used for?
The Uses of Electrotherapy in Rehabilitation . Electrotherapy machines are a popular modality used in physical therapy and rehabilitation. Electrotherapy (also known as electrical muscle stimulation or e-stim) uses an electrical machine that delivers electrical impulses to a patient’s body.
What are the benefits of electrotherapy?
The use of electrotherapy has been supported by the American Physical Therapy Association because it has shown to provide the following: 1 Relaxation of muscle spasms 2 Prevention and cessation of muscular atrophy due to disuse 3 Improved local blood circulation and flow 4 Re-education of muscles using targeted stimulation 5 Preserve and improve range of motion 6 Management and reduction of pain (chronic, post-traumatic, and post-surgical acute) 7 Prevention of deep vein thrombosis post-surgery 8 Facilitation of wound healing 9 Improvement in the effectiveness in delivering prescription drugs-electromotive drug administration (EMDA)
Why is electrotherapy important?
Electrotherapy is scientifically supported as being a useful modality to reduce both pain and swelling while improving healing outcomes for diverse patient groups.
How to treat nerve pain?
2. Promote healing of musculoskeletal injuries. Some electrotherapy modalities, especially a shockwave therapy treatment , have been shown to effectively treat a variety ...
Why is electrotherapy used in sports?
Because electrotherapy can help increase circulation and promote healing in an area, it's also used by physiotherapists to treat common sports injuries like sprains and strains. 3. Have a non-invasive, drug-free pain control. Electrotherapy offers a safe, non-toxic, and non-addictive way to handle chronic pain.
What is electrotherapy for physiotherapy?
Physiotherapists use a variety of tools to manage pain, restore range of motion, and treat conditions of the musculoskeletal system. Along with methods like joint mobilisation, stretching, and targeted exercises, your physiotherapist might recommend electrotherapy as a treatment option.
What is electrotherapy for pain?
Electrotherapy is a gentle and non-invasive modality that works by stimulating nerves and muscles through the surface of the skin.
What is TENS machine?
The goal of the TENS machine is to stimulate sensory nerves to achieve pain relief and is often used for both nerve pain and chronic pain conditions.
What is the purpose of IFT?
Interferential. Also known as IFT, interferential electrotherapy uses low-frequency electrical stimulation to stimulate muscles, increase blood flow, and reduce pain. IFT is sometimes used for patients who dislike the sensation of TENS electrotherapy.
Why is muscle atrophy important?
Prevent muscle atrophy. When muscles can't be used due to injury, illness, or nerve damage, this can result in muscle atrophy — which is when a muscle wastes away. Not only does muscle atrophy restrict movement and impact quality of life, but it can also contribute to pain and stiffness.
How does an electrotherapy unit work?
Electrotherapy units usually consist of a battery-powered device connected by wires to adhesive electrode pads which are placed on the skin. The electrode pads are sticky, so they will adhere to the skin. Once the electrodes are attached and the unit is turned on, a mild electric current is sent to the skin via the electrode.
What is electrotherapy treatment?
If an individual is not experiencing sufficient control of pain and other symptoms, electrotherapy—a treatment that directs mild electrical pulses to the problem area— may be an option. See Chronic Pain Coping Techniques - Pain Management. Electrotherapy includes a range of treatments using electricity to reduce pain, improve circulation, ...
What is the purpose of a hand held controller?
A hand-held controller is used to adjust the level of stimulation.
What is the purpose of electrotherapy?
Electrotherapy includes a range of treatments using electricity to reduce pain, improve circulation, repair tissues, strengthen muscles, and promote bone growth, leading to improvements in physical functioning.
Is electrotherapy a pain reliever?
Electrotherapy is among pain relief options gaining attention as the potential risks and side effects of opioid (narcotic) medications have become more apparent. See Opioid Medication Potential Risks and Complications. advertisement. Efforts to use electrical current to aid in healing go back to ancient times.
Is electrotherapy a physical therapy?
Electrotherapy is typically used in conjunction with other treatments, rather than by itself. For people undergoing physical therapy, electrotherapy may alleviate pain sufficiently for an individual to participate more actively in targeted exercises. Electrotherapy is among pain relief options gaining attention as the potential risks and side effects of opioid (narcotic) medications have become more apparent.
Is electrotherapy effective?
While a large number of people find electrotherapy helpful, others do not. The medical literature on electrotherapy's effectiveness has been mixed, and not all electrotherapy treatments are supported by research.
