Electrotherapy

Electrotherapy is the use of electrical energy in the treatment of various conditions. The main premise of electrotherapy is to diminish the awareness of pain. Electrotherapy may also be utilized to assist in the contraction of muscles during the rehabilitation period. Electrotherapy is non-addictive and provides patients with a cost-effective means of pain control. Electrotherapy is applied through skin electrodes which are placed strategically over specific areas as determined by the physiotherapist. Tools such as TNS machines or Interferential Current both provide stimulation of the peripheral nervous system, which aids to override pain messages. Neuromuscular stimulation (NMES) is utilized to cause contraction of muscle fibres, which assists in the rehabilitation of injured or damaged tissue. Some patients purchase their own electrotherapy units for home use. Consult your therapist to determine if such a unit would be beneficial to you.