INTERFERENTIAL

CURRENT

By: Rabiya khan

DPT
Batch-IV
 DEFINITION
 Interferential currents are also known as Nemec’s
current. IFC is amplitude modulated alternating current
obtained by mixing two or three medium frequency
currents obtained from independent circuits of
alternating currents to produce low frequency effect.
 Interferential current is electrical modality that applies
currents around 4000Hz through the affected area of
the patient.

 Four electrodes are placed in such a way that

allows two currents to cross each other &
penetrate deep within a joint or body area
INTERFERENTIAL CURRENT
 BASIC PRINCIPLES OF IFC

 The interferential therapy depends upon the

principles of interferential effects of two medium
frequency currents crossing in the patient’s tissues.

 IFC treatment is a method of producing low

frequency currents at any tissue depth without the
problem of skin resistance.

 The interferential produced by two currents in the

tissues is called the beat frequency.
INDICATIONS
 Pain relief

 Increase in blood flow

 Enhance tissue healing

 Reduce swelling/ inflammation

 Muscle stimulation
 AMPLITUDE MODULATED
FREQUENCY
 The frequency with which the amplitude varies is refer to
as amplitude modulated frequency or treatment
frequency. The AMF corresponds to frequencies which
are used in low frequencies electrical treatment.
 Value of AMF
 AM= Δf1 - f2
 Depth of Modulation
The modulation depth is expressed as a percentage and
can lie between o and 100%.Large modulation depth is
recommended for the therapeutic purposes. In IFT
generally four pole method and two pole method is used
 ADVANTAGES
 The interferential current do not produce any sensory nerve irritation,
irrespective of amplitude.

 It is free of any burning sensation on the skin surface.

 Resistance of skin is minimum.

 The current can localized more effectively in specific area. Extensive area
can also be covered

 It is more useful in treating tissues at a greater depth i.e. ,in muscles

,tendons ,nerve ,bursa.

 Interferential treatment is harmless.

 PHSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF IFT

 The physiological effects of IFT depends upon

1. Magnitude of the current
2. Type of mode used– rhythmic or constant
3. The frequency range used
4. Accuracy of electrode positioning

 The 4 main clinical applications are

1. Relief of pain.
2. Motor stimulation.
3. Increased local blood flow
4. Reduction of edema
 THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF
INTERFERENTIAL THERAPY
 Pain of sympathetic origin such as causalgia, reflex sympathetic
dystrophy, migrane and neuralgia

 Chronic with or without edema.

 Muscles spasm response best to electrokinesey.

 IFT in chronic ligamentous lesions is effective only if given in

combination of ultrasound.

 In myofacial syndromes 100 Hz constant or 1 to 100 Hz rhythmic modes

of IFC is found useful in relieving pain and mobilizing the trigger points.

 IFC excellent result in stress incontinence

 CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR IFC

 Hemorrhagic condition
 Arterial disease.
 Deep vein thrombosis.
 Infective conditions.
 Nervous people
 Cognitive deficit
 Pace maker implantation
 Febrile conditions
 Large open wounds
 Unreliable patients
 SCENARIO

In clinic, I see a large number of patents who have workers

compensation injuries. Many of those patients experienced an
injury at work to their lower back , leaving them with pain, m/s
guarding, and inflammation. After completing my initial
evaluation , I am struggling to find treatment options that are
appropriate for patients with acute , highly severe and irritable
conditions. Beyond a basic exercise program that consist of
gentle stretching and light strengthening. I usually use
interferential current to decrease their pain.