ELECTROTHERAPY

Electrotherapy is a method of medical treatment which uses electric current to the affected areas. It is mostly used by experienced physiotherapists to treat a variety of conditions ranging from muscle pain to arthritis.

This treatment option is useful for treating chronic pain, muscle wasting, musculoskeletal injuries, and nerve pain by using targeted and controlled electrical stimulation.

BENEFITS OF ELECTROTHERAPY TREATMENT

Though there are plenty of electrotherapy treatments using various devices, they are non-invasive and have minimal to no side effects. Other than these, electrotherapy offers several key benefits which are listed below:

» Reduces body pain
» Alleviates nerve pain
» Accelerates healing of musculoskeletal injuries
» Increases blood circulation in the body
» Heals wounds
» Relaxes muscle spasms
WHEN DO YOU NEED ELECTROTHERAPY?

The use of electrotherapy in physiotherapy can vary as per the patients’ condition. You may be recommended physiotherapy electrical stimulation if you have:

» Acute or chronic ankle or joint pain

» Shoulder pain

» Carpal tunnel syndrome

» Disc pain or spinal osteoarthritis/degenerative disc disease(DDD)

» Hip pain

» Facial paralysis

» Labour pain

» Post lumbar laminectomy

» Post surgical knee pain related to muscle, tendon, ligament

TYPES OF ELECTROTHERAPY TREATMENT

TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)

In TENS electrotherapy, a small electrical device is used to deliver electrical impulses through the skin. Common conditions that can be treated through this are lower back pain, labour pain, and arthritis.

Interferential Therapy

Also known as IFT, this is a deeper form of TENS electrotherapy and uses two high frequency currents. It is effective in pain relief, muscle stimulation, and blood circulation.

Therapeutic Ultrasound

This form of electrotherapy in physiotherapy uses a transducer instead of electrode pads. The benefits of therapeutic ultrasound include the healing of muscles and ligaments and the healing process.

Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (PENS)

PENS involves the application of electrical stimulation through small needles that penetrate the skin. It can also be used at home and is more beneficial than TENS.