Electrotherapy is a unique way of treating pain and disabilities. It has been proved that electric components are a medium of electrotherapy which can be used in both acute and chronic conditions. Electrotherapy uses a small electric current passes to the affected area to relieve pain by suppressing or blocking the pain signals to the brain. The electric stimulation has been shown to promote the release of endorphins, the natural pain killers produced by the body.
Types of electrotherapy
The therapies varies in frequency, waveform and affects. these are some of most commonly used electrotherapy
- Trans-cutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
- Inferential therapy (IFT)
- Electric muscle stimulation.(EMS)
- Ultrasonic therapy (UST)
- Short Wave Diathermy
- Cervical/Lumber decompression therapy
- Laser
- Hot/cold packs etc.
How electrotherapy works?
- Pain management
- Neuromuscular control
- Improve joint range of motion.
- Improve motor control.
- Improve local blood flow.
- Helps in tissue healing/ repair
- Reduce edema by stimulating the lymphatic system.
Contraindications
- Cardiac pacemaker.
- Metallic implants.
- Malignancy.
- Pregnancy.
- Open wound.
- Localize infection.
- Epilepsy.
- Defected skin sensation.
- Wet dressing.
