Electro therapy in St Austell
The human body uses electrical impulses to communicate, via the nervous system, with its various components. The brain, as the central “Controller” needs to tell the components of the body what to do and they in turn need to report their status back to the brain. This is performed using various electrical impulses over a range of frequencies that enable multiple communications in both directions. Being able to influence those communications, or replicate them such that they have a therapeutic effect is part of treating the body using electrical stimuli.
The term Electrotherapy is often used to describe other modalities, such as Laser, Ultrasound, as these are electrical devices but in fact do not function on the body with electrical input. Here, the term Electrotherapy is used to describe a small section of those therapies actually stimulating a reaction in the body, specifically Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Interferential Therapy (IFT), which are explained in further detail below. Click the appropriate tab for more information.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
The sensory nervous system reports various information back to the brain via different nerve pathways, the TENS machine exploits these different pathways to help block, or reduce, deep pain signals from reaching the brain. The actual process is quite complex and use of the TENS machine requires some knowledge of the process to obtain the best results. Most TENS machines will have a simple manual to enable the patient to use the machine and settings for automatic use, but a more detailed understanding will bring better results. Riverview Clinics has some TENS machines available for patients to use and a detailed understanding to help the patient achieve the best results. Apart from reducing pain signals to the brain the TENS machine can be set so that it stimulates the body to produce its own pain relieving chemicals, called endorphins, that act in a similar manner to pain relieving medication but without the same side-effects.
The TENS machine is commonly a small battery-powered device which connects to the skin, probably using self-adhesive electrodes. There are few side effects from using the TENS machines, but as always, instructions should be read fully, understood and followed. The main patient control is to govern the intensity of the signal, which is a light pins and needles sensation, so that it can be set and adjusted to mask the pain.
Interferential Therapy (IFT)
Interferential therapy (IFT) enables a low-frequency signal to be applied to the skin, using electrodes, to provide pain relief, muscle stimulation, increased blood flow and reduced oedema. If the amount of electrical activity were applied to the skin to invoke the required therapeutic effect under normal application it would be distinctly uncomfortable for the patient. By adjusting the equipment and process such that the signal generates an electrical interference pattern the end result of which is the desired electrical signal it enables the same results to be obtained but without the discomfort. Like the TENS machine the patient feels a light pins and needles sensation, which can be adjusted for the patient’s comfort. However, unlike the TENS machine, which uses sensory frequencies, the IFT works using the bodies motor frequencies and can result in mild muscle twitching.
The process of IFT is more complex; the equipment is not produced for patient use and is generally only available through trained therapists. IFT can be used in combination with other modalities such as ultrasound with beneficial effect.
The processes outlined here are complicated and require knowledge of electronics, anatomy, and physiology. Patients who would like further information on these processes may contact Michael mew at Riverview clinics. Further details may be obtained on the Internet from Prof Tim Watson, School of Health and Social Work, University of Hertfordshire, UK.