What is electrotherapy?

Electrotherapy is the therapeutic use of electricity for medical treatment. This type of treatment can be supplied through various devices that produce ultrasonic, infrared rays and different electric current levels. The use of electricity dates back to ancient Greece when shocks from electric eel were used to treat headaches. However, until the twentieth century, the technology was advanced to provide a safe and efficient device that could use electricity to support healing. Chiropractors and physiotherapists use various forms and equipment to administer these treatments with great success. Physiotherapists in the UK, Canada and Australia have published all guides for experts who describe in detail the most effective environment for different treatments and machines.

Back and neck, whether acute or chronic, is often treated with electrotherapy. One of the most common machines available is a unit of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TeNs), which provides a number of frequencies and can be set to match the patient's comfort level. This portable piece of equipment can be worn at home for long -term pain relief. Patients who need deeper skin penetration can use interference current devices (IFC), which provides a high -frequency wave. Acute injuries involving bleeding, large tissue damage and swelling can achieve better results with galvanic stimulation (GS), which provides direct current instead of alternating current used by other machines.

Patients with fibromyalgia can also benefit from electrotherapy. Dozens are one of the treatment procedures used at home, although longer -lasting pain relief can often be achieved percutaneous electric electrical institutor Cal Nerve (PENS), which uses needles rather than pillows. The pen treatment is given by a doctor who puts electrodes of needles into the skin in the painful areasH and more efficiently directs the current without pain.

patients who do not achieve sufficient relief from tens or pen treatment may also consider the stimulation of skull electrotherapy (CES). Originally, this treatment is assigned exclusively for emotional or sleep disorders, but are now considered alternative pain treatment. There are two electrodes on the ear shoes and a very mild electric current is passed to the brain back and forth. Impulses stimulate hypothalamus to produce multiple neurohormones that help regulate symptoms of pain.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an electrotherapeutic procedure used to treat some neurological disorders, especially Parkinson's disease. Treatment includes implantation of DBS, called neurostimulator, to bra at the one where it provides electrical stimulation and blocks the nerve signals causing tremor. This device consists of three parts; lead or electrode, extension and neurostimulator or battery. The lead is inserted by the skull into the affected part of the brain; PRarling runs under the skin of the head, neck and shoulder to attach to the neurostimulator, which is generally implanted near the collarbone or chest.

Electrotherapy is often used in conjunction with other techniques such as exercise therapy, handling, ultrasound and acupuncture. It is relatively painless and has no significant negative side effects. However, patients who are pregnant or have a pacemaker or defibrillator could have serious reactions to electricity and should not attempt this treatment.