Electrotherapy is a noninvasive form of treatment used by many medical practitioners. This process is used primarily to reduce pain, to speed the healing process after surgery and to stimulate muscle contractions. Electrotherapy employs electrical energy to stimulate the release of natural pain killers in the body. The energy waves produced by electricity also create physiological and chemical changes in the body, thereby increasing its ability to heal damaged tissues that may have been caused by inflammation, skin ulcers or injury, among others.
Types of Electrotherapy
Electrotherapy is performed using devices that not only vary in size but also in applications. These devices may vary in terms of waveform, frequency and effect. The specific device used often depends on the type of electrotherapy being administered. Currently, there are several types of electrotherapy, including transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS), galvanic stimulation (GS), percutaneous electrical stimulation (PENS), neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), interferential current therapy (IC), microcurrent therapy, electro-acupuncture (EA), spinal cord stimulation (SCS), transcutaneous spinal electroanalgesia (TSE) and pulsed short-wave diathermy (PSWD).
How Electrotherapy Works
There may be different types of electrotherapy, but they generally work the same way and provide the same beneficial effects. Generally, electrotherapy blocks pain signals and prevents them from reaching the brain. The electrical stimulation also causes the body to produce more endorphins, pain-killing chemicals produced naturally by the body. As a result, the patient never experiences pain.
Complications of Electrotherapy
Electrotherapy may be an effective form of treatment, but it may also bring about a number of complications. One of the most common complications that can result from this process is that the patient may suffer from burns. This usually happens when electrodes are not placed properly on the skin, resulting in increased heat in high-resistance areas. In short, this happens when electrotherapy is not done properly.
Contraindications
Electrotherapy is not to be used by pregnant women or women who are trying to get pregnant. It should also not be used on persons with cardiac pacemakers and those diagnosed with cancer. Electrotherapy is not for patients suffering from hemorrhaging, phlebitis, fractures, pulmonary tuberculosis, lupus and diabetes. It is also not intended for persons who are suffering from undiagnosed pain.
Warnings and Precautions
Electrotherapy can lead to adverse effects when not properly administered. Proper care should be taken when using any electrotherapy device. Furthermore, individuals should never attempt to use any electrotherapy device without supervision from a professional medical practitioner. The best and wisest action to take is to allow a medical practitioner to perform the process as her understanding of how this process works and how it should be done is quite thorough.
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