PROCEDURE MANUAL –ELECTROTHERAPY 1

Procedure 9 FARADISM UNDER PRESSURE

Aim : To perform electrical stimulation for edema control and improve the venous and lymphatic
drainage from the edematous area ,associated either with inflammation or lack of muscle contraction.

Apparatus : Electrical stimulator with surged faradic facility

1. Skin resistance tray consisting of

a) bowl of tap water

b) soap

c) macintosh

d) kidney tray /plastic bowl

e) towels & tissue paper

2. Treatment tray consisting of

a) Leads

b) Electrodes

c) Crepe bandages

d) Conduction gel

e) 1% saline warm water in plastic bowl .

f) Supporting pads,pillows

g) Cotton

h) Talcum powder

i) Vaseline

j) Towels

k) Velcrow straps /adhesive plaster .

GOWRISHANKAR P
SUNDARESAN
 PROCEDURE MANUAL –ELECTROTHERAPY 1

Procedure :

1. Greet the patient

2. Introduce yourself to the patient.
3. Take preliminery introduction and brief history from the patient.
4. The therapist must have thorough knowledge on present pathology .
5. Identify the reason for edema .

Method of application :

Preparation of the apparatus :

 First an electric stimulator with faradic current facility is selected.

 Make sure that all the wires from mains to plug box and to the machine are intact and properly
insulated

 Check the leads for any breaks in the insulation

 Test the machine by attaching leads and electrodes to the terminals and feel the current by
switching ‘on’ the machine and increasing the intensity

 Make sure that before ‘on’ or ‘off’ an apparatus ,all the knobs of intensity are at ‘zero’

 Select the appropriate and suitable electrode

 The electrodes should be properly applied with conduction gel

 Electrode placement : For retarding the formation of edema associated with acute inflammation
,the negetive polarity treatment electrodes should be placed directly over the area of
oedema,with the dispersive electrode more proximal if possible .

 To reduce edema associated with lack of muscle activity ,large indifferent electrode is placed
over the Lumbosacral junction and two small electrodes(active) one at neck of fibula and one
below the medial malleolus.

 Parameters

Parameter Edema due to inflammation Edema due to lack of muscle

activity

Type plain faradism Surged faradism

Frequency 50-100 Hz 50-100Hz

GOWRISHANKAR P
SUNDARESAN
 PROCEDURE MANUAL –ELECTROTHERAPY 1

Pulse Traingular Traingular

Duration 0.1-1ms 0.1-1ms

On-off time Continuously On:1-2sec

Off:1-2sec

Amplitude Comfortable sensory level Intensity sufficient for

(intensity) producing small visible
contractions

Time 20-30min once a day 20-30min once a day

Preparation of patients :

 Explain the nature of treatment as well as sensation that will be felt .

 Explain the patient not to touch the apparatus

 Position the patient in supine lying on a couch

 Affected limb should be elevated to nearly 60⁰ with the help of pillows

Technique :

 Place the lectrodes as mentioned above depending upon the condition

 Choose the parameters according to the condition

 After placement of electrodes ,start bandaging with crepe bandage ,over the area firmly from
the metatrasel to the femoral traingle ,incase of inflammation over the area of inflammation

Winding off :

Remove the electrodes and clean the area with a tissue or cotton .

Check the area for any adverse eefects, if found any document it and report to the HOD or your
supervisor

Home advice :

 Periodic ankle toe movements

 Placing pillows under the lower limb in supine position

 Self bandaging

GOWRISHANKAR P
SUNDARESAN