What is electrotherapy?
Electrotherapy is a form of medical treatment, which uses small electrical impulses to repair tissue, stimulate muscles and increase sensations and muscle strength.
What does electrotherapy involve?
There are several different forms of electrotherapy; these include interferential therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and muscle stimulation. Interferential therapy and TENS reduce pain by manipulating the nerves which reduces the sensation of pain and produces a tingling feeling. Muscle stimulation helps fatigue tight muscles and can help rebuild muscle strength and performance due to disuse muscular atrophy.
Effects and benefits of electrotherapy
The benefit of electrotherapy are wide-ranging and include a more advanced healing process, a more effective circulatory system and increased muscle tone. The effects of electrotherapy include a reduction in pain, increased strength, increased range of movement, increased speed and strength of muscle contractions and an increased rate of absorption.
Which conditions or injuries will benefit from electrotherapy?
Generally injuries that have caused swelling will respond well to electrotherapy; these include sprained ankles and overuse injuries such as tennis and golfer’s elbow, as well as injuries as a result of auto accidents.