Electrotherapy
We rely on electricity every day to light our homes and use appliances. With all its run-of-the-mill uses, you may have never considered that electricity could be used to reduce acute and chronic pain. How is electricity used to lessen pain? Electrotherapy directly blocks pain signals and encourages the body to release its own natural painkillers (endorphins).
Electrotherapy Uses and Benefits
The American Physical Therapy Association recognizes the use of electrotherapy for:
Pain management
Treatment of neuromuscular dysfunction
Tissue repair
Improving joint mobility
Treatment of edema (both acute and chronic)
Treatment of fecal and urinary incontinence
Treating abnormal peripheral blood flow
Treatment of atrophy
However, electrotherapy is mainly used by chiropractors to relax muscles, prevent muscle spasms, reduce pain, increase blood circulation, rehabilitate muscles and improve range of motion.
What Does Treatment Feel Like?
As the intensity increases, the patient will feel a tingling sensation on the skin, or the sensation will be reminiscent of a deep massage if the device is being used to penetrate and treat the muscles. All of this is normal.
What Are the Side Effects?
Though side effects are uncommon, they can occur. They may include:
Allergic reaction
Cardiac arrhythmia in patients with heart problems or a pacemaker
Low blood pressure
Fetal damage if the woman is pregnant and the pads are placed over the uterus
To find out more, please contact our office.