Electrical Stimulation Helps Relieve Your Pain
The idea of electrical stimulation applied to your body may seem daunting at first, but it is actually a very effective method of relieving pain. Electrical stimulation is a safe and beneficial treatment for many conditions.
The target area is treated by placing self-adhesive electrodes on the skin of that area of the body. These electrodes are connected via wire leads to the device. Electricity passes through the wire and the electrode, ultimately interacting with sensory and/or motor nerves beneath the skin.
Do you suffer from a painful injury or ailment? This treatment may finally provide relief for you. Request an appointment with Progressive Medical Fitness in Northport today to learn more.
A typical session
The primary reason this treatment is prescribed for pain management, is the stimulating effect it has on nerve fibers.
This treatment triggers an innate and completely natural pain-relieving effect by stimulating sensory nerve fibers, such as the A-beta, A-delta, and C fibers. This stimulation has 2 major benefits: decreasing localized pain sensation and releasing neurotransmitters that extend the analgesic effects.
Electrical stimulation also offers a variety of unexpected benefits, including:
- Improve motor coordination
- Increase local circulation
- Improve range of motion
- Reduce muscle spasm
- Alleviate or manage acute/chronic pain
- Prevent or reverse muscle atrophy (especially after prolonged immobilization, such as a limb being cast as a fracture heals)
- Improve body awareness through biofeedback
- Provide neuromuscular re-education
- Reduce swelling
Electrical stimulation is safe and effective over the entire body surface – including the anterior neck and eyes and even areas with damaged skin or lack of sensation.
However, electrical stimulation treatments are not for suitable for all people. Patients with the following conditions are advised to seek other treatment options: deep vein thrombosis, those who are pregnant, those with pacemakers, and those with impaired cognition.
A few of the wide range of conditions that benefit from treatment with electrical stimulation include:
- Neurological conditions; for example, stroke
- Acute injuries; for example, sports-related or auto accident
- Muscle strains
- Ligament sprains
- Repetitive stress injuries
Electrical stimulation is painless
So, the big question on your mind… is electrical stimulation painful? Simply put – no! In fact, a trained physical therapist modifies the intensity of the electrical muscle stimulation or sensory nerve stimulation for the tolerance level of each patient.
There are a variety of different modes to activate the nerves in different ways with electrical stimulation. Each mode consists of a different current. You are prescribed a particular current specific to the severity and nature of your condition.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), interferential, pre-modulated, Russian, and symmetrical or asymmetrical bi-phasic are different forms of modes.
So what does an electrical stimulation treatment feel like? Patients explain the feeling as a slight sensation, similar to “tingling,” “prickling,” or a “pins and needles” feeling. Another application is for muscle strengthening. This type of treatment feels a bit more uncomfortable, but you should never experience pain.
Benefits of electrical stimulation
Our Progressive Medical Fitness physical therapy team prioritizes your safety, comfort, and dignity.
Your initial appointment will include a thorough physical examination as well as an in-depth interview of your current condition and medical history.
One of our licensed physical therapists will develop a personalized treatment plan to address your condition and lifestyle. Your physical therapist will incorporate electrical stimulation into your treatment plan if they believe it is beneficial to your specific condition and you are in agreement.
After the skin of the target treatment area is cleaned and prepped, you’ll be asked to sit or lie in a comfortable position. Then, your PT will guide you through the process of the entire treatment.
Seek effective pain relief today!
If you want to learn more about electrical stimulation, and its benefits for your condition, contact Progressive Medical Fitness today to request an appointment with a licensed physical therapist.
Take the first steps on your path toward pain relief and recovery!