Electrical stimulation helps patients overcome nerve damage that prevents their brain and spinal cord from transmitting signals normally, relieving muscle spasms and pain while speeding healing time from injuries or medical conditions and improving circulation.
Frequency specific microcurrent (FSM) therapy uses almost undetectable electric frequency pulses to stimulate and reset the body’s natural electrical rhythms, often performed by physical therapists and other healthcare practitioners.
Benefits
Electro stimulation has the power to not only reduce muscle atrophy and improve joint mobility and range of motion, but it can also ease pain by stimulating muscles to contract and release natural painkillers called endorphins – helping avoid dependence on prescription medication and its side effects; which are not only costly but often harmful. Medication addiction has even greater negative consequences than its costs can bring, often having negative side effects that last beyond just taking one prescription drug at a time.
EMS therapy can be combined with other treatments such as manual therapy, massage therapy, acupuncture, rehabilitative exercise and physical rehabilitation to provide patients with long-term relief from chronic pain and symptoms. When properly implemented it can also complement chiropractic care for optimum results.
Some individuals may have contraindications for using electromagnetic field therapy modalities, including having an implanted electronic device (like a pacemaker). Before beginning an electromagnetic field therapy treatment program, it’s important to discuss it with your health care provider and inform them about all complementary and alternative health treatment options such as electromagnetic field therapy.
Electro frequency therapy can be administered with electrodes plated with silver or copper that adhere to the skin and are then connected by wire to an electrical generator, where its energy is then filtered and converted into an alternating current that causes muscles to contract, encouraging growth, circulation and ridding cells of toxins.
Different EMS devices feature different parameters that can be tailored to optimize treatment. Amplitude (the intensity of electric current), for instance, should be set so as to evoke desired effects while not causing discomfort – this may involve manipulating frequency or pulse width settings; sometimes electrodes must also be moved around until finding one which creates contractions.
Consider how long each session should last as weak muscles will tire more quickly than stronger ones. Furthermore, track how many muscle contractions were achieved over time to maximize results – aim to achieve full ranges of movements during each workout session for best results.
Safety
Electrotherapy can be an invaluable way to relieve pain, but it comes with some potential risks. Too much intensity could cause muscle tears; in such an instance, discontinue treatment immediately and seek medical advice immediately. Furthermore, ensure electrodes are placed correctly and don’t cause skin allergies before beginning use; hypoallergenic adhesive pads will reduce this possibility significantly.
Electrode placement and selection is one of the main determinants of how safe EMS use can be. A good starting point would be placing stimulation over your own thigh or shoulder before trying it on a patient – this allows you to practice placement and intensity adjustments prior to proceeding on real patients.
Most EMS devices offer multiple parameters that can be adjusted, including frequency, pulse width and amplitude. A comprehensive knowledge of how these factors interact is vital for clinicians delivering safe yet effective treatments.
Most people only experience a faint tingling or buzzing sensation from low-voltage electrical current, making this treatment quite relaxing. However, some individuals may be sensitive to electromagnetic waves generated by PEMF systems and should reduce either intensity or duration accordingly.
One potential side effect of PEMF therapy may include temporary skin redness or itching, which often happens as your body adjusts to electromagnetic fields and impulses sent directly to the tissues you’re treating. Although this side effect can occur occasionally, if it persists beyond three or four days after beginning therapy you should discontinue use immediately.
PEMF therapy is generally safe for most patients and has no known contraindications; however, certain medical devices such as pacemakers should avoid it since its electromagnetic field could interfere with their functionality.
Side Effects
Many people can benefit from e-stim therapy without experiencing any negative side effects, but some precautions must be taken if you are wearing an implanted pacemaker or device such as an intramuscular implant. Pregnant women should consult a health provider prior to beginning this treatment as it could alter how their baby develops.
Electrical stimulation therapy employs various electric currents to treat conditions like fibromyalgia and chronic pain, improving range of motion, relieving muscle spasms, reducing stiffness in back, neck, and joints as well as alleviating stiffness from back spasms. Furthermore, such electrical currents may reduce inflammation while speeding tissue healing after injury or surgery.
Here are a few forms of electrical stimulation therapy:
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) uses small, sticky pads with electrodes that are placed over areas where you experience pain. When attached to a battery-operated unit, TMS delivers electrical pulses through these pads directly into your brain in order to stimulate nerves. Pulsing of electrodes also sends signals directly into your mind that cause a mild seizure lasting approximately one minute that causes muscles to contract while improving blood circulation to the area being stimulated.
Deep TMS (DTS) uses small metal wires that run from your skull through your neck and upper spine to electrodes located there, connecting to a battery-operated generator about the size of a pacemaker, which then sends electrical impulses along these wires and to your brain, stimulating nerve cells to release chemicals that improve blood flow while relieving symptoms associated with depression, anxiety and other mood disorders.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an intensive version of electroshock therapy. It is designed to treat severe depression that has not responded to other treatments or that does not respond to antidepressant medicines, known as treatment-resistant depression. Anesthesia will be used during this procedure so you will experience no pain or discomfort; after you awake, however, normal activities should resume shortly afterwards.
Schedule a Consultation
Electrotherapy can provide relief from pain and speed up healing without the use of medications or invasive procedures, and its benefits can be maximized when combined with other forms of therapy such as exercise, manual therapy and physiotherapy. Our experts at Physiotattva are available to assist in helping determine if electrical stimulation is the appropriate course of treatment for you.
At our clinics, we utilize the Acutron Mentor device which has become one of the world’s premier non-invasive pain management technologies. Its preset treatments utilize specific frequencies, polarities and current levels tailored specifically for each individual patient’s condition; plus it utilizes advanced biofeedback capabilities that monitor body reactions to treatment as well as identify areas of imbalance.
Interferential Therapy (IFT) uses low electrical pulses to decrease inflammation, enhance blood circulation and promote tissue repair. This noninvasive, drug-free treatment is beneficial in treating injuries of the muscles or bones such as backache, neck pain, fibromyalgia, sciatica or sports injuries.
Electrotherapy can be safe for most individuals, though it’s important to seek guidance from an experienced therapist in determining which frequency and duration are suitable for your condition and body type. Certain conditions like epilepsy or implanted devices like defibrillators could interfere with electric energy transmission causing complications; pregnant women should also avoid electrical therapy in their abdomen/pelvis area during gestation to prevent complications. Please call us now so that one of our electroanalgesia specialists can offer consultation.
