Electrical Stimulation May Relieve Your Chronic Pain.
Have you been living with chronic pain as a result of an accident or illness? If this is the case, electrical stimulation could be the answer to your pain problems.
Electrical stimulation is a safe and efficient treatment choice for pain relief and rehabilitation. While it might seem daunting at first, it is a very successful method of pain relief that many practicing physical therapists use every day!
If you’re interested in learning more, click here to request an appointment at our Fremont, NE physical therapy clinic today!
What are electrical stimulation treatments like?
Electrical stimulation is a common treatment method physical therapists often prescribe for pain.
This modality can produce an intrinsic and fully natural analgesic effect by stimulating specific sensory nerve fibers (such as A-beta, A-delta, and C fibers), which decrease pain sensitivity and release neurotransmitters that prolong the pain-relieving effects.
This modality has a variety of other benefits, including:
- Provide neuromuscular re-education
- Decrease swelling
- Increase local circulation
- Reduce muscle spasm
- Improve motor coordination
- Improve range of motion
- Provide biofeedback (aka improve body awareness)
- Reduce, eliminate, and/or control pain (both acute and chronic)
- Prevent or reverse muscle atrophy (especially after prolonged immobilization, such as a limb being cast as a fracture heals)
It is also safe to use electrical stimulation on all parts of the body, including the anterior neck, eyes, or areas with damaged skin or reduced sensation.
Electrical stimulation will likely not be recommended for people with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), those who are pregnant, those with pacemakers, and those with impaired comprehension.
Some of the most common conditions treated with electrical stimulation include:
- Acute sports-related or auto accident-related injuries
- Muscle strains
- Neurological conditions, such as a stroke
- Ligament sprains
- Repetitive stress injuries
Does electrical stimulation hurt?
Not at all! Electrical stimulation can sometimes become a bit uncomfortable when used for muscle enhancement, but it should never result in pain.
A physical therapist can easily adjust the frequency of electrical stimulation of the muscles or sensory stimulation of the nerves to each patient’s tolerance.
During the procedure, you will be asked to sit or lie in a comfortable position. Our physical therapist will clean and prepare your skin in the target treatment area and walk you through the entire treatment step-by-step.
In a traditional electrical stimulation system, self-adhesive electrodes are mounted on the body around the intended treatment area.
The electrodes are then connected to a device via wire lines through which electricity can pass through and eventually communicate with sensory and/or motor nerves.
Electrical stimulation includes a variety of different ways to stimulate the nerves.
Among the different modes are transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), interruption, pre-modulated, Russian, and symmetrical or asymmetrical bi-phasic.
All of these modes have specific currents, and the current you are given will depend on the form and intensity of your condition.
Some patients experience mild pain, such as a “tingly,” “prickly,” or “pins and needles” feeling.
A physical therapist can provide this treatment for pain relief
The ultimate goal of our physical therapy practice is your comfort, protection, and integrity.
If your physical therapist feels that you will benefit from electrical stimulation, he or she will explain it in-depth and integrate it into your treatment plan.
At your initial appointment, in addition to asking questions about your current condition and medical background, our physical therapist will also perform a physical examination.
From there, an individualized treatment plan will be developed by one of our certified physical therapists, based on your personal needs.
Discover the benefits of electrical stimulation today
If you are interested in learning more about electrical stimulation, or if you think it might benefit you, please click here to request an appointment. Our physical therapists in Fremont, NE can get you started on the path to pain relief and recovery!