Electrotherapy Electrotherapy treats a medical condition with a micro-electri- cal current that provides therapeutic effects. It uses a variety of equipment for various purposes including pain relief, reducing edema, reducing muscle spasms, and preserving muscle prop- Table 4: Commonly used Electrotherapy Modalities Modality Description Indications
erties. Electrotherapy uses electrical energy to accelerate the healing process, repair tissue, and reduce pain. The mechanisms and indications of commonly used electrotherapy equipment are stated in Table 4.
Contraindications
Adverse Effects • Mild erythema. • Increased pain, together with a
• Directly over eyes. • Skin tumors. • Hemorrhage. • Acute infection. • Blood pressure abnormalities. • Severe cardiac conditions. • Acute infection or inflammation. • Venous thrombosis or phlebitis. • Pregnancy. • Menstruation. • Dermatological conditions. • Brain, spinal cord, eyes, and Stellate ganglion. • Uncontrolled hemophilia. • Over epiphysial plates. • Subcutaneous major nerves. • Anesthetic areas. • Over tuberculosis of lungs or bones. • Over metal
• Documented malignant hyperthermia. • Dermatological conditions (scleroderma). • Impaired skin sensation. • Superficial metals. • Metal implants. • Pacemakers. • Malignancy. • Tuberculosis joints. • Over the eyes. • Impaired thermal sensation. • Unreliable patients. benign tumors. • Tissues previously treated by deep x-ray or other radiation. • Vascular abnormalities (e.g., Deep Vein Thrombosis, emboli, severe atherosclerosis). • Cardiac area in advanced heart disease. • Malignant or
• Pain (e.g., back
• Heat modality. • Uses infrared radiation 2 types: • Luminous (short- wave infrared. • Non-luminous (long-wave infrared). • Increases blood flow to the area. • Heat modality. • Uses electromagnetic radiation. • 2 modes: • Pulse SWD (non- thermal effect). • Continuous SWD (thermal effect). • Uses therapeutic ultrasound waves. • A gel-like coupling medium is used to transmit the waves effectively to the body. • 2 modes: • Pulse UST. • Continuous UST.
Infrared therapy (IRT) [23]
pain, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis).
burning sensation (in people with bony spurs/bony prominences).
• Muscle spasm. • Edema. • Prevention of pressure sores. • Healing of
wounds & chronic suppurative areas.
• Psoriasis.
Short-wave diathermy (SWD) [24][25]
• Mild erythema. • Increased pain. • Burning sensation.
• Pain (e.g.,back
pain, joint pains, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis).
• Muscle spasm. • Joint stiffness. • Healing of
wounds & chronic suppurative areas.
• Burning sensation.
Ultrasound therapy (UST) [26]
• Adhesions. • Pain. • Muscle spasm. • Neurological pain. • Delayed union and nonunion fractures. • Damaged articular cartilage. • Pressure sores. • Acute, surgical incisions or chronic wounds. • Soft tissue injuries. • Calcified tendinitis. • Hematoma. • Edema. • Muscle pain. • Muscle spasm. • Neurological pain. • Labor pain. • Pain following amputation.
implants, pace makers, acrylic bone glues.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) [27]
• Pacemakers. • Pregnancy. • Over the anterior neck/sides of neck.
• Impaired skin sensation. • Pain with no evident cause. • Epileptic patients.
• Increased pain. • Burning sensation.
• Uses low voltage electric impulses. • Single/dual channel.
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