Electrostimulation
While it may sound a bit intimidating, electrical stimulation really isn’t at all! When used correctly and provided under the guidance of a licensed and skilled physiotherapist, electrical stimulation is a safe and efficacious modality that can be used to treat a variety of conditions.
There are several modes that use different types of currents intended to stimulate different nerves in a variety of specific ways. These include modes such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), interferential, pre-modulated, Russian, and symmetrical or asymmetrical bi-phasic.
After a thorough assessment and discussion of modalities, your physiotherapist at Trusting Hands, will decide which one is the right electro stimulation treatment for your unique needs.
Electrical stimulation is used in order to provide a variety of beneficial healing effects, including:
- Reduce, eliminate, and/or control pain (both acute and chronic)
- Increase local circulation
- Decrease swelling
- Improve range of motion
- Reduce muscle spasm
- Provide biofeedback (aka improve body awareness)
- Improve motor coordination
- Provide neuromuscular re-education
- Prevent or reverse muscle atrophy (especially after prolonged immobilization, such as a limb being casted as a fracture heals)
Ultrasound
Ultrasound therapy is the use of sound waves to treat a variety of muscle, bone, and ligament conditions. The sound waves cause vibrations which generate heat. When tissues in the body are vibrating, the friction produced occurs at the molecular level. This ultimately causes the temperature in the tissues to rise. This is one of the many advantages ultrasound application provides. It can penetrate deep into the tissues in ways that a hot pack can’t.
- Increase blood flow
- Reduce swelling and inflammation
- Reduce stiffness in muscles and joints
- Promote tissue healing
Frequently Asked Questions
Some of the FAQs related to Electrical Stimulation.
What Is Electrical Stimulation?
Electrical stimulation is a type of physical therapy modality or treatment used to accomplish various tasks in physical therapy (PT). The idea is that applying an electrical current helps strengthen muscles, block pain signals, and improve blood circulation.
Is Electrical Stimulation Painful?
To put it simply – no! In fact, the intensity of the electrical muscle stimulation or sensory nerve stimulation can be easily modified to the tolerance of each patient.