What is Electrotherapy Modalities?
Electrotherapy Modalities
Electrotherapy modalities are the most common treatment techniques used in physical therapy and rehabilitation. In Electrotherapy (which is also called as electrical muscle stimulation) physical therapist uses a machine that delivers electrical impulses to a patient’s body. This is done to promote muscle healing and tissue regeneration.
Uses of Electrotherapy :
- Pain reduction
- Relaxation of muscle spasms
- Prevention of muscular atrophy due to disuse
- Improved local blood circulation and flow
- Re-education of muscles using targeted stimulation
- Preserve and improve range of motion
- Pain Management (chronic, acute, post-traumatic and pre/post-surgical)
- Prevention of deep vein thrombosis post-surgery
- Facilitation of wound healing
Electrotherapy modalities we use:
Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulator (TENS): TENS is used to reduce pain by blocking pain signals so that it can't reach the brain. The TENS stimulation encourages the production of endorphins, which makes it a popular waveform for treatment of back pain and neck pain.
Russian Current: The Russian Current waveform emits medium frequency in alternating pulses of energy. Which makes it a popular waveform to improve muscle strength and re-educate particular areas. It can also stimulate pain-relieving endorphins and increasing its versatility and applications.
Interferential Current (IFC): Interferential Current (which is also known as IFC) is the waveform which is used to treat acute, chronic, post-surgical and post-trauma pain. IFC ESTIM is non-invasive with no to minimum side effects. It delivers higher frequency pulses so that it crosses the skin barrier to access deeper pain areas, but also has improved tolerance.
Premodulated Current (Premod): Premodulated Current (also known as “premod”) is quite same as interferential current. The main difference is that in premod current, a single channel is used to mix the frequencies before current reaches the patient. Which makes it a good choice for treating smaller body areas like: elbows, hands, ankles or feet.
Biphasic Current: "Biphasic" has 2 pulses of two different intensities, which makes this method very versatile. It can be used for both chronic and acute problems for different goals which includes:
- Re-educating & Strengthening muscles
- Increasing blood circulation
- Decreasing edema & swelling
Also Visit: What is Therapeutic Exercise?