Electrotherapy includes a range of gentle and non-invasive modalities that utilizes mild and controlled electricity to stimulate nerves and muscles through the surface of skin. They help to reduce acute and chronic pain, restore tissues, improve circulation, promote bone growth and strengthen muscles resulting in an improvement in physical functioning. It may be particularly effective immediately following an injury.
Some of the injuries that benefit from electrotherapy are:
• neck pain
• low back pain
• bursitis
• tendinitis
• spasm
• post-surgical pain and complications
• muscle weakness inflammation
• adhesions and scar tissues
Shockwave therapy uses high energy acoustic waves transmitted via a treatment probe held against the skin to penetrate into the underlying tissues. Shockwaves are intense but the short acoustic waves help to stimulate metabolism and improve blood circulation resulting in fast pain relief and mobility restoration. The generation of shockwaves can be noisy and shockwave therapy can be uncomfortable for some patients though most patients are able to tolerate the discomfort well. Some patients may experience soreness, local tissue swelling or bruising post-treatment.
The benefits from Shockwave Therapy:
✓ reduce pain
✓ improve tissue repair and cell growth
✓ reversal of chronic inflammation
✓ improve blood supply
✓ improve mobility
✓ dissolve calcium deposits that built up causing pain and restricting movement
Through Electromagnetic Wave Spectrum – Radiofrequency, to achieve a very deep heating effect reaching layers of deep muscle, joint, bone and cartilage.
The benefits from Shockwave Therapy:
✓ reduce pain
✓ improve tissue repair and cell growth
✓ reversal of chronic inflammation
✓ improve blood supply
✓ improve mobility
Intermittent Cervical/Pelvic Traction is a therapy that stretches the spine in order to treat back and neck pain through decompression of lumbar or cervical discs and joints. This cyclical, painless stretching reduces pressure and promotes blood and fluid flow. During cervical spine traction, a harness is attached to your head and neck while you lie flat on your back. The harness is then connected to a machine that will apply traction force to pull your head away from your neck and spine through a steady/intermittent force. During lumbar (lower back) spine traction, you lie on a motorized table. A harness is fastened around your hips. The upper half of the table is fixed, while the lower half of the table slides back and forth producing traction.
The benefits from Interferential Current Therapy:
✓ reduce pain
✓ improve circulation
✓ decrease swelling and inflammation
✓ improve tissue alignment
✓ reduce muscle spasm
✓ improve mobility
Therapeutic Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves that are transferred through the skin and into the muscles, joints and ligaments. As sound waves transfer through the tissue, they cause vibration to take place at a molecular level which in turn create a thermic effect that stimulates blood flow, muscle relaxation and scar tissue breakdown. Unlike diagnostic ultrasound which shows images inside of the body, therapeutic ultrasound provides deep heating treatments to boost circulation and stimulate the healing process. Therapeutic Ultrasound is a pain-free procedure, though some patients may experience a warming sensation on their skin.
The benefits from Therapeutic Ultrasound:
✓ reduce pain
✓ improve circulation
✓decrease swelling and inflammation
✓ improve tissue and bone repair
✓ relaxes muscle
✓ improve mobility
Interferential Current Therapy uses low-frequency electrical current to stimulate nerve activity. The IFT device transmits very small quantities of electrical impulses through four superficial round suction cup electrodes which are strategically placed around the afflicted area. When the currents meet, they interfere with each other to stimulate a healing reaction in the body. IFT is a pain-free procedure, though some patients may experience a mild tingling or “beat” sensation on their skin.
The benefits from Interferential Current Therapy:
✓ reduce pain
✓ improve circulation
✓ decrease swelling and inflammation
✓ improve tissue and bone repair
✓ reduce muscle spasm
✓ improve mobility
PEMF uses magnetic waveforms to restore the altered electrical signals to their normal state thereby facilitating repair and recovery. PEMF Therapy recharges the cell, optimizes cell function and restores the body’s natural healing ability. PEMF is a pain-free procedure, though some patients may experience a mild tingling and warming sensation on their skin.
The benefits from PEMF:
✓ reduce inflammation
✓ reduce pain
✓ reduce muscle cramps
✓ optimise cell function promote repair
✓ increase muscle relaxation
TENS therapy typically uses electrodes on small adhesive pads attached through wire to a battery-operated device. The electrodes are placed on the area of pain or at a pressure point which create a circuit of electrical impulses along the nerve fibers resulting in a tingling sensation. TENS is a non-invasive way to override or block signals from the nerves to the spinal cord and brain. TENS is a pain-free procedure though some patients may experience a mild tingling or tickling sensation on their skin.
The benefits from TENS:
✓ reduce pain
✓ improve circulation
✓ promote healing
✓ improve sleep pattern
✓ improve muscle function
✓ improve mobility
Electroacupuncture is a form of acupuncture where a small electric current is passed between pairs of acupuncture needles. The frequency and intensity of the impulse can be increased or decreased depending on the condition which is being treated. Several pairs of needles can be stimulated simultaneously typically for no more than 20 minutes at a time. During treatment, some patients may experience a dull ache, muscle contraction or a tingling sensation due to the electric. Some patients may experience minor bruising, tenderness, lightheadedness and fatigue after treatment.
The benefits from Electroacupuncture:
✓ reduce pain
✓ improve circulation
✓ promote healing
✓ improve sleep patterns and reduce stress
✓ improve function
✓ improve mobility
Cold Compression Therapy uses a cuff compression machine to treat inflammation and pain due to injuries, strains, sprains, arthritis, post-surgical pain, rehabilitation and inflammatory disorders. Cold Compression Therapy works by increasing blood circulation which promotes healing and muscle relaxation. Some patients may experience temporary coldness and numbness to the applied area after therapy.
The benefits from cold compression therapy:
✓ reduce swelling
✓ reduce spasticity
✓ reduce muscle spasm
✓ reduce pain
✓ promote repair provide excitatory stimulus when muscles are inhibited
Infrared Heat Therapy uses an infrared light through a device that is placed 20-30cm directly above the painful area. The infrared light energy can penetrate up to 3 1/2 inches (8.75 cm) through the surface of the skin and releases nitric oxide into the blood. This then stimulates circulation allowing higher levels of oxygen and nutrients to get to the tissues as well as aiding the elimination of toxins and cellular waste. The heat then relaxes muscles, improves blood circulation in the skin and subcutaneous layers, and soothes pain.
The benefits from infrared heat therapy:
✓ reduce pain
✓ improve circulation
✓ reduce muscle spasm
✓ promote repair
✓ improve mobility
