Electrtherapy Devices

			How Electrotherapy Works? Electrotherapy devices work in slightly different ways, depending on what type of problem they are treating. Certain devices excel at treating pain, while others specialize in fluid movement. Pain Control Electrotherapy devices that help control both chronic and acute pain fall into one of three categories: Interferential, Microcurrent, or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS). Each type of device works in a slightly different way, but they all provide an effective, non-narcotic alternative or supplement to drug therapy. Interferential Therapy Interferential therapy devices use two separate electrical frequencies that work together to stimulate large impulse nerve fibers — ones that "close the gate." Their frequencies interfere with the transmission of pain messages at the spinal cord level, and help block their transmission to your brain. Obviously, the fewer pain messages that make it through, the less it hurts. Microcurrent Therapy Microcurrent therapy is thought to mimic the body’s own electrical system. It uses subtle current to build upon naturally occurring impulses to decrease pain. Microcurrent devices take what you already have and make it stronger, amplifying your ability to heal. TENS TENS devices use a two-pronged approach to pain relief. First, they target your sensory nerves, stimulating them to block pain signals and prevent their transmission to the brain. Second, TENS promotes production of endorphins, the body’s natural pain reducing substances. Because of its effectiveness, TENS therapy is used to treat back and cervical muscular and disc syndromes, RSD, arthritis, shoulder syndromes, neuropathies and other painful conditions. Muscle Rehabilitation It’s a fact that exercise is good for you. Whether you’re biking, walking or playing tennis, your movements are a carefully choreographed series of muscular contractions. Each contraction begins as an electrical impulse generated by your body. Only through repeated motion do your muscles stay strong and healthy. When injury sets in, muscles become stationary. Fluid builds up between the cells and they begin to lose their strength. Electrotherapy has the ability to counter these effects through neuromuscular stimulation (NMS) and high or low voltage pulsed direct current therapy. Neuromuscular Stimulation (NMS) An injured muscle usually experiences little — if any — movement. NMS therapy remedies this by using low- voltages to stimulate motor nerves to cause involuntary muscular contractions. Like exercise, NMS helps to strengthen the injured area and has been found to effectively treat a variety of musculoskeletal and vascular conditions. Common candidates for NMS therapy are patients recovering from orthopedic surgery, muscle strains or tears, or athletes who’ve undergone cartilage or tendon repair. High or Low Voltage Direct Current Therapy Injured tis sue s are often surrounded by an excess of fluid, which prevents nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood from reaching them. Pulsed direct current devices remove excess fluid and increase blood flow to the injured site to encourage rehabilitation. Fluid (swelling) is primarily composed of negatively charged proteins. Placing a positive electrode over the injured site within the first 24-48 hours helps prevent the buildup of excess fluid. Placing a negative electrode over the injured site after the first day or two causes the fluid to disperse from the site. This treatment reduces swelling, allowing new blood to move in and speeding up the recovery process. Fluid Movement Excessive fluid buildup, known as edema, is detrimental to any healing process. Not only does it cause swelling around the injured area, but it also prevents removal of waste products and hinders circulation. Electrotherapy uses Interferential, NMS, and high or low voltage pulsed direct current devices to move excess fluid from injured areas. Interferential Therapy Interferential therapy uses two independent frequencies that deeply penetrate muscles and stimulate parasympathetic nerve fibers for increased blood flow. Like hundreds of tiny rivers, these vessels and capillaries quickly flush out old waste and usher in new blood. High or Low Voltage Pulsed Direct Current Therapy High voltage pulsed direct current therapy utilizes two oppositely charged electrodes to move the plasma proteins, which comprise excess fluid and leak into spaces between cells. Initially, the stimulus prevents fluid buildup. Later, using a different protocol, it repels fluid that has built up. NMS Neuromuscular therapy induces muscle contractions which pump fluid through both the venous & lymphatic systems. This helps to resolve the swelling or fluid buildup in the area. NMS devices have the ability to increase or decrease the strength of each muscular contraction.

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