Electrotherapy
Electrotherapy is used as an adjunct to manual physiotherapy techniques and the modalities we use include Ultrasound, Interferential and TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation). Ultrasound uses sound energy which produces mechanical vibration that enhances the speed of healing and quality of tissue repair.
These results are achieved by affecting cell permeability, stimulating natural inflammation and the healing cascade, and promoting remodelling of scar tissue. Ultrasound enhances the body’s own repair process.
It is applied with a hand held probe and a coupling gel. No sensation beyond a sense of pressure is usually experienced and you will not be able to hear the sound waves.
Interferential uses medium frequency current to stimulate peripheral nerves. It can provide pain relief, muscle stimulation, enhance blood flow and decrease oedema. It is applied with adhesive pads and can produce a tingly sensation or that of a muscle contraction.
TENS stimulates the sensory nerves and provides natural pain relief by either the pain gate mechanism or the opioid system.
The pain gate mechanism involves stimulating sensory A beta fibres which decrease the transmission of pain messages in the C fibres.
The opioid system is activated by stimulation of the A delta sensory fibres that then promote encephalin (endogenous opiate) in the spinal cord which reduces activation of noxious sensory pathways.It is applied via adhesive pads and can feel tingly or prickly.