Electro Therapy
What is electro therapy?
Electro Therapy is the use of different modalities that uses electrical currents, frequencies and sound waves to reduce pain. All modalities can be used individually or in combination with each other to gain the most beneficial outcome.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a relatively low intensity technique that uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to speed healing in injured joints or muscle tissue.
What does the treatment involve?
Ultrasound is applied using a round-headed wand or probe that is put in direct contact with the skin. Ultrasound gel is used on all surfaces of the head in order to reduce friction and assist in the transmission of the ultrasonic waves.
How does Electro Therapy work?
The sound waves that pass through the skin cause a vibration of the local tissues. This vibration or cavitation can cause a deep heating locally though usually no sensation of heat will be felt by the patient. Ultrasound can be used to:
- Increase tissue relaxation
- Promote scar tissue breakdown
- Reduce local swelling
- Reduce chronic inflammation
- Promote bone fracture healing
What are the side effects?
There are no known side effects to Ultrasound.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
TENS is a method of electrical stimulation to excite the sensory nerves, and by doing so, activating specific natural pain relief mechanisms within the body.
What does TENS treatment involve?
The treatment involves placing electropads near to the source of the pain.
How does TENS work?
The TENS unit sends a very small electrical current through the skin to stimulate sensory nerves that are able to carry touch and temperature signals to the same area of the spine as the nerves carrying pain. A strong sensory signal will replace the pain signal travelling up the spine to the brain. This is know as the “Pain Gate”. As well as being able to interfere with pain signals, a TENS unit also causes the release of Endorphins, the body’s natural morphine-like substance which also has the effect relaxing and relieving pain.
What will I feel?
A tingling/pins and needles sensation is created form the small electrical current.
Can I use a TENS unit at home?
Portable TENS units are available to purchase from the clinic as treatment can be carried on at home. TENS units can be used up to several times a day to gain the most effective pain relief.
A full explanation of the unit and where each electrode must be placed must always be given by a practitioner before use.
TENs can be use to treat:
- Arthritis
- Back Pain
- Incontinence
- Lumbago
- Menstrual Pain
- Multiple Sclerosis Pain
- Nausea
- Phantom-Limb Pain
- Post-Shingles Pain
- Sciatica
- Sports Injury Pain
…and many other conditions.
What are the side effects?
There are no known side effects to TENS use and long-term TENS use is not harmful.
