What Is Electrical Stimulation Used For In Physical Therapy

Electrotherapy is primarily used in physical therapy for relaxation of muscle spasms prevention and retardation of disuse atrophy increase of local blood circulation muscle rehabilitation and re education electrical muscle stimulation maintaining and increasing range of motion management of chronic and intractable pain post traumatic acute pain post surgical acute pain.

What is electrical stimulation used for in physical therapy.

While there are not many risks it is necessary to discuss potential risks with your physical therapist. When used correctly and provided under the guidance of a licensed and skilled physical therapist electrical stimulation is a safe and efficacious modality that can be used to treat a variety of conditions. Electric stimulation therapy is a therapeutic treatment that applies electrical stimulation in treating muscle spasms and pain. Since that time electrical effect on the body has been one of the most studied aspects of our being as well as one of the most documented modalities used to assist the human body.

This list of different types of electrical stimulation can help you understand how it is commonly used in physical therapy. It can help prevent atrophy and build strength in patients with injuries. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation tens is the most common type of electrical therapy using a small battery operated device which sends low voltage electrical current through the skin. Risks of using electrical stimulation.

To put it most simply there are 4 main methods physical therapists use electrical stimulation for during a rehabilitation process. Electrical stimulation should only be used to enhance your active physical therapy program which includes motions and exercises to treat your condition. The most common types of electrotherapy include. Electrical stimulation is a type of physical therapy modality used to accomplish various tasks in physical therapy pt.

In medicine ems is used for rehabilitation purposes for instance in physical therapy in the prevention muscle atrophy due to inactivity or neuromuscular imbalance which can occur for example after musculoskeletal injuries damage to bones joints muscles ligaments and tendons. It is also helpful in keeping muscles active especially after any type spinal cord injury or strokes. Electrical muscle stimulation can be used as a training therapeutic or cosmetic tool. If you have an injury or illness that causes pain or limited functional mobility your physical therapist may use electrical stimulation or e stim as one part of your rehabilitation program.

While individual units and modes of delivery can vary the standard electrical stimulation device utilizes self adhesive electrodes placed. Electrical current which is used as a part of the therapy hardly ever causes any discomfort. It should not be the only treatment you receive when attending physical therapy. Electrical stimulation often is used to augment your physical therapy program after an injury or illness.