Electrotherapy PDF Print E-mail

Electrotherapy has been one of the key skills of the physiotherapy profession from the beginning, with the use of heat, cold and electrical stimulation having a long history in clinical practice.

What is it used for?

Electrotherapy is used for relaxation of muscle spasms, prevention and retardation of disuse atrophy, increase of local blood circulation, muscle rehabilitation and re-education, maintaining and increasing range of motion, management of chronic and intractable pain, post-traumatic acute pain, post surgical acute pain, immediate post-surgical stimulation of muscles to prevent venous thrombosis, and wound healing.

Types of Electrotherapy:       

There several varieties of electrotherapy, of which have different stimulation types, protocols and uses. Listed below are those that are most commonly used:

  • NMES (for Neuro-Muscular Electro-Stimulation) aka EMS (for Electro-Muscular Stimulation) for rehabilitation
  • TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) for pain therapy
  • Interferential Therapy

What does it do?

Electrical pulses are transmitted through electrodes that are placed on the skin over the pain source. Here, safe transmission of gentle low frequency electrical pulses are sent through the body. The pulses stimulate the release of endorphins (the body’s natural pain relieving hormones). Nerve fibers are also stimulated by these electrical pulses which block the transmission of pain messages to and from the brain, thus reducing pain.