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How Electrical Stimulation Is Used to Help You Heal: Physical Therapy |
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Physical therapists may give you physical therapy to help you recover if you're injured. Along with other kinds of treatment, you may receive electrical stimulation as part of this. Read on to learn more about electrical stimulation (e-stim) and how it's used in physical therapy.
What Is Electrical Stimulation?
Electrical stimulation is a form of physical therapy (physical therapy) or treatment used to achieve various physical therapy (PT) goals. The idea is that using an electric current helps strengthen the muscles, block pain signals, and improve blood circulation.
If you have a condition that causes pain or prevents you from easily moving around, your physical therapist may use an electronic stimulation directive (or e-stim) as part of your rehabilitation regimen.
Why E-Stim Is Used
Electrical stimulation is used for many reasons in physical therapy. It can be used to:
- Provide medication for inflammation
- Improve muscles that are weak or not functioning correctly
- Help decrease pain or spasms
If you are experiencing pain, spasms, inflammation, or muscle weakness, your physical therapist may use this treatment to help you.
Some of the medical conditions you can treat with e-stim include:
- Low back pain
- Post-surgical pain
- Muscle weakness or poor motor control
- Tendonitis
- Bursitis
E-stim machines have been used in a number of circumstances to help manage stubborn wounds. A physical therapist who focuses on wound care would be the specialist to employ for this type of treatment.
Some professionals contest that electronic stimulation isn't valuable for physical therapy. And some research shows that it doesn't benefit injured people very much. Other research demonstrates that some kinds of stimulation are beneficial.
The ongoing discussion on estim's effectiveness has given rise to many people visiting physical therapy. When you look at it, knowing what e-stim is all about and what you might expect will be helpful.
What to Expect During E-Stim
If your physical therapist decides to implement electrical stimulation during a given therapy, they need to go over the process with you. He or she will also explain the possible outcomes and potential risks involved in using electrostimulation. A typical application of electrical stimulation typically involves this process.
- Your physical therapist applies electrodes to the part of the body that needs treatment. These electrodes are connected through a wire to an e-stim machine.
- You will feel a slight tingling sensation.
- The sensation will be increased until it feels strong but comfortable.
- If the e-stim is used for muscle spasms or pain relief, you will relax during the treatment.
- If the electricity is used to improve muscular strength or function, you may be required to squeeze or contract your muscle as the machine is working.
You may experience slight discomfort during electrical stimulation, but it should never cause pain. Contact your physical therapist if you experience discomfort during stimulation. They will modify treatment or stop providing it.
Types of Electrical Stimulation
Our physical therapist will administer various types of electrical stimulation to carry out different tasks. Consider a few of the available types.
Transcutaneous Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation (TENS)
- Transcutaneous electrical neuromuscular stimulation (TENS) is a physical therapy procedure for dealing with short- and long-term pain. Your physical therapist will use TENS to decrease your discomfort by applying electrodes to your body over painful locations. The intensity of the electricity will be adjusted to block the pain signals traveling from your body to your brain.
Iontophoresis
- Iontophoresis is another type of electrical stimulation intended to deliver medication to you through physical therapy. The electrical current pushes medications through your skin and into your body. Your physical therapist will likely use medicine to decrease inflammation or muscle spasms. Iontophoresis drugs may also be used to break up calcium deposits that may happen in injuries like shoulder calcific tendonitis. Different medicines are used to achieve different goals using iontophoresis.
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)
- Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) uses an electrical current to affect one muscle or a group of muscles. By placing electrodes on the skin at various locations, the physical therapist can stimulate the right muscles. Electrotherapy can improve the effectiveness of your muscle's contraction by contracting the muscle using electrical stimulation. Your physical therapist will alter the settings on your electrotherapy equipment to allow for a more forceful or gentle contraction. Along with increasing muscle function, the contraction of the muscle also promotes blood flow to the area. This helps the injury heal. NMES can also be used to help decrease muscular spasms by tiring out the muscle that is in spasm. This allows it to relax.
In addition to increasing muscle function, the contraction of the muscle also increases blood flow to the area. This helps the injury heal. NMES can also be used to help reduce muscular spasms by tiring out the muscle that is in spasm. This allows it to relax.
Russian Stimulation
Electrostimulation, also known as electrostimulation, is a form of stimulation that serves the same purpose as neuromuscular electrical stimulation. It improves the contractions of your muscles. Russian stim uses a different waveform that may be a little more comfortable for you to tolerate.
Interferential Current (IFC)
Interferential current (IFC) is often used by physical therapists to decrease pain, eliminate muscle spasms, or improve blood flow to various muscles or tissues. It is often used for low backache.
Interferential current typically has four electrodes in a crisscross pattern. Since the currents cross between the electrodes, this enables the physical therapist to use a higher-intensity current while still maintaining maximum comfort for the patient.
High-Voltage Galvanic Current (HVGC)
High-frequency galvanic stimulation (HVGC) uses high-frequency, high-voltage electricity to penetrate deep into tissues. It is used to relieve pain, improve blood flow, relieve muscle spasms, and improve joint mobility.
Limitations
Keep in mind that many kinds of electrical stimulation are passive treatments. You do nothing while receiving the stimulation. Certain types of eStim, such as neuromodulation and transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation, require that you want to move while the eStim is being used.
Active engagement during your exercise-based physical therapy program as well as with electrical stimulation gives you the best results. Stimulation should only be used in addition to your existing exercise-based physical therapy program that includes specific movements and activities to treat your problem.
Risks
Your physical therapist should explain to you the risks associated with the electrical stimulation used during your physical therapy treatment.
Risks of e-stim may include:
- Muscle tearing
- Skin irritation
- Tissue burn
If You Experience a Muscle Tear
If the electric impulse is too strong, you may experience intense muscle pain. If so, your muscle tissue is likely to be torn. In this case, you should disconnect the e-stim immediately. The healthcare provider should then begin treatment for an acute muscle injury. This may include rest, ice, and elevating the injured body part.
If Skin Irritation Occurs
Some forms of electrolysis may produce irritation on the skin under the electrode. Iontophoresis utilizes direct currents during application. This has been known to irritate the skin.
Those with sensitive skin may be harmed by the electrode's adhesive or by the electrical stimulation. If irritation occurs, the therapy should be stopped. Then a healing cream may be applied to the affected area.
If You Get a Tissue Burn
If electrical stimulation is done at an intensity that is too much, a burn may occur. This is extremely rare. But if you develop a burn, your therapist should promptly put a stop to the stimulation. Appropriate care should be administered to mend the burn.
Your physical therapist can work with you to ensure your electrical stimulation is used properly to minimize the risks associated with e-stim use. Exploring these risks can help you decide whether or not to include it in your treatment.
Reasons You Shouldn't Have E-Stim
There are some conditions in which electrical stimulation should never be used. Your physical therapist should pay attention to these factors that make it necessary to avoid e-stim.
You should avoid electrical stimulation if you have:
- A change in tissue sensation
- Impaired mental status
- Presence of an implanted electrical device (the e-stim could interfere with pacemakers or implanted pain stimulators)
- Malignant tissue
- Wounds that are too moist
- An injured area near the eyes, carotid sinus, front of your neck, or over reproductive organs
Your physical therapist should have noted these issues during the initial assessment. It's crucial to let them know about any pre-existing health condition which may make e-stim less effective.
Alternatives to Electrical Stimulation
If you cannot have electrical stimulation treatment or do not want to have it, your physical therapist may offer you alternatives. And if your pain and discomfort are an issue, you need to contact your physical therapist. The therapist will be in a position to help you decide if e-stim is the best treatment for you and for your condition.
Summary
Electrical stimulation is a form of physical therapy that can help those who have experienced an injury or health problems. It’s also prescribed for patients who are experiencing pain, spasms, or weakness. Your physical therapist might use different forms of electrical stimulation during treatment.
During a therapy session, the physical therapist will place electrodes on part of your body where the electrical therapist needs treatment. You may experience a tingling sensation as a result of the therapy. This treatment is not supposed to be painful. If you experience pain during this session, have your physical therapist tell you so you can adjust the treatment or stop it.
Here at Pro Therapy Supplies, we offer Electrotherapy products. You may visit our website or call us at 770-441-9808.
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