Electrotherapy

Overview of Treatment

Electrical therapy is a physical treatment technique that uses electrical currents to stimulate human tissues for therapeutic purposes. It primarily promotes tissue repair, alleviates pain, or improves neuromuscular function through different frequencies and intensities of electrical currents. This non-invasive therapy is widely used in rehabilitation medicine and pain management, commonly in treatment plans for sports injuries, nerve damage, or chronic illnesses. The principle involves electrical currents regulating nerve conduction, promoting blood circulation, and inducing muscle contractions to achieve therapeutic goals.

Types of Treatment and Mechanisms

Electrical therapy can be divided into various types, each with different mechanisms of action. For example:

• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS): Uses low-frequency electrical currents to block pain signals from transmitting to the brain and stimulates the release of endorphins to relieve pain.
• Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES): Uses higher frequency currents to directly induce muscle contractions, preventing disuse atrophy or restoring muscle control.
• Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES): Targets patients with nerve damage, using precise electrical currents to restore motor control functions.

These currents induce cellular metabolic changes, promote tissue repair, and regulate nervous system functions, thereby achieving therapeutic effects.

Indications

Electrical therapy is suitable for various clinical issues, including:

• Acute and chronic pain: such as back pain, cervical spondylosis, or postoperative pain.
• Muscle atrophy and rehabilitation: caused by stroke, fractures, or long-term inactivity.
• Post-neural injury sequelae: sensory abnormalities caused by peripheral nerve lesions or spinal cord injuries.

Additionally, electrical therapy is often used to improve local circulation problems, such as peripheral neuropathy caused by diabetes or chronic wound healing.

Application Methods and Dosage

Treatment parameters should be set by a professional therapist based on the patient's condition. The general process includes:

• Placing electrodes on specific areas, such as pain points or muscle attachment sites.
• Adjusting the current intensity to the patient's tolerance threshold. TENS typically uses 2-150Hz, while NMES requires higher frequencies.
• Single sessions last about 15-30 minutes, with frequency scheduled as daily or every other day depending on the condition.

Therapists will adjust parameters based on efficacy, such as increasing current amplitude to enhance muscle contraction or modifying pulse patterns to target different nerve types.

Benefits and Advantages

The advantages of electrical therapy include its safety and versatility:

• Non-invasive treatment, avoiding side effects of medications or surgical risks.
• Customizable parameters to meet different patient needs.
• Can be combined with other rehabilitation techniques, such as heat therapy or exercise therapy, to enhance overall efficacy.

Clinical studies show that electrical therapy can effectively reduce dependence on pain medications and accelerate recovery from acute injuries. Long-term use can also improve quality of life for chronic pain patients.

Risks and Side Effects

Although relatively safe, electrical therapy may still cause:

• Skin irritation: redness or itching at electrode contact sites.
• Risk of arrhythmia: use near the heart may induce discomfort, requiring strict adherence to contraindications.
• Uncertain efficacy: some patients may not respond well to certain frequencies or intensities.

Important Warning: Improper use may lead to burns or nerve overstimulation, so it must be operated by professionals.

Precautions and Contraindications

Contraindications include:

• Patients with heart disease or those with pacemakers.
• Open wounds, infections, or tumors in the treatment area should be avoided.
• Pregnant women should avoid treatment on the abdomen or pelvic area.

Before treatment, a detailed assessment is necessary, including skin condition, neurological history, and medication use.

Interactions with Other Treatments

Electrical therapy can be combined with medication treatments, such as:

• Combined use with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to enhance pain relief.
• Combined with physical therapy to improve muscle training effects.

However, care should be taken to avoid simultaneous use with certain electromagnetic therapies, which may affect device performance. Patients undergoing chemotherapy or anticoagulant therapy should inform their therapist to adjust parameters accordingly.

Effectiveness and Evidence

Multiple randomized controlled trials have shown:

• TENS reduces pain scores in back pain patients by an average of 40-60%.
• NMES accelerates muscle strength recovery in postoperative muscle atrophy patients by about 30%.

The 2018 Cochrane review indicates that electrical therapy is more effective than placebo for neuropathic pain, but personalized parameter settings are necessary.

Alternatives

If electrical therapy is unsuitable, options include:

• Medication therapy: such as neuropathic pain medications or NSAIDs.
• Acupuncture: stimulating acupoints to relieve pain.
• Ultrasound therapy: promotes tissue repair but does not have nerve modulation effects.

Alternatives should be chosen based on the patient's specific condition. For example, those sensitive to electrical currents may prioritize medication or manual therapies.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What preparations are needed before treatment? Should I adjust my daily medications?

Before receiving electrical therapy, it is recommended to inform your doctor of all current medications, especially anticoagulants or cardiac drugs, which may require timing adjustments. On the day of treatment, wear loose clothing for easy access and avoid fasting or eating immediately before treatment to reduce discomfort.

Is it normal to experience muscle soreness or redness after electrical therapy? How can I relieve it?

Localized muscle soreness or slight redness after treatment are common reactions and usually subside within 1-2 days. Applying ice or heat (depending on the type of therapy) can help alleviate discomfort, but avoid self-medicating with ointments. If pain persists beyond 48 hours or is accompanied by swelling, contact medical personnel immediately.

Can I do exercise or physical therapy during treatment?

Light exercise (such as walking or stretching) can be performed during treatment, but avoid overloading the treated area. If undergoing nerve or joint-related electrical therapy, the doctor may require temporarily suspending high-intensity training to ensure efficacy and reduce the risk of secondary injury.

How are the number of treatment sessions and intervals determined?

The number of sessions depends on the severity of the condition. Mild symptoms typically require 6-12 sessions per course, while severe cases may need ongoing treatment for several months. The interval between sessions should be at least 48 hours to allow sufficient tissue repair. The doctor will adjust intensity and frequency based on phased assessments.

How long can the long-term effects of electrical therapy for chronic pain last?

For chronic pain patients, the pain relief duration varies among individuals. Some patients may experience relief lasting 1-2 weeks after a single session. With regular treatment, 60-80% of patients report a 30-50% reduction in pain within three months after completing the course. Long-term effects require combining rehabilitation exercises and lifestyle adjustments to prolong efficacy.