Services
Electrotherapy
Services
Electrotherapy
Electrotherapy may be used to supplement a patient’s ongoing treatment programme. The process aims to heal and relieve pain from underlying injuries or conditions involving muscle and other tissue. Electrotherapy is a painless technique that stimulates the muscles to activate and regenerate their strength at an accelerated rate.
This method uses electrical signals to manipulate the brain, blocking pain-transmitting signals that come from the injured area. When this happens, overall pain is reduced while the rate of healing for the injured muscle and tissue area is hastened. This positive outcome can be achieved by different types of machines, depending on the individual needs of the patient.
How does an electrical stimulation machine work?
Machines come in two variants, called a TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) machine and EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) machine. Each is equipped with corresponding parts such as electrodes and pads, with treatment ranging from 5 to 10 minutes for short sessions, or longer periods when appropriate.
TENS and EMS machines are typically small – even pocket-sized. Electrical impulses are sent via the skin to the surrounding area, using low or high frequencies. Lower frequencies allow for extended pain relief, but takes longer to apply and may be slightly uncomfortable. Higher frequency treatment can be applied more quickly, but its benefits last for a shorter period.
Is it safe?
Electrotherapy is generally safe, but it does cause side effects for many patients. The most common of these are rashes and other forms of skin irritation, due to chemical contact from the electrode adhesives.
Electrotherapy should not be overused, or applied to an open wound. It also should not be used over the heart, throat, or abdomen. Sessions are not recommended for people with epilepsy, or those with skin or heart conditions. Although the process itself is harmless when basic guidelines are followed, it is nevertheless recommended to be administered by a qualified therapist rather than independently.
How can electrotherapy help me?
TENS machines help with pain and other complications affecting muscles, joints, and nerves. The machines are commonly used for pain relief, though they also promote muscle strength and mass, reducing swelling and stimulating tissue recovery. This type of treatment can help patients suffering from back or foot pain, migraines, arthritis, muscle spasms, or various other conditions.
EMS machines are particularly helpful for relaxation, and can also strengthen your muscles. As pain can be caused by improper blood flow and other muscle issues, EMS is effective at helping your muscles regenerate and recover from injuries without the need to stimulate them via exercise.
These methods can be enhanced by therapeutic ultrasound machines, which are used for both diagnostic and treatment purposes.
Ultrasound can also treat injuries around the muscles and tissue, by using high-frequency sound waves which induce vibration around the affected area. The effect is to stimulate your muscles and increase blood flow, which in turn helps speed up recovery and dissipate scar tissue. As with TENS, ultrasound assists with muscle spasms and swelling, lessening back and surgical pain while improving your range of motion. At Illawarra Physio we typically use therapeutic ultrasound for our mastitis patients, who commonly require 3 sessions within close proximity.