Introduction to

ElectrICAL CURRENTS

Dr.FOUZIABATOOL
PT.PP-DPT
Lecturer, RCRS
…ELECTROTHERAPY…
 Electrotherapy is the branch of
physiotherapy characterized by the
treatment of various diseases and
disorders with the help of electricity
or electrical means.
 Specifically, electrotherapy uses energy waves
that are part of the electromagnetic spectrum to
produce desired physiological and chemical
effects in the body
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Physical Agents
 Physical agents are various forms of
energy and materials applied to
patients and their means of application
 It includes heat, cold, water, pressure, sound,
electromagnetic radiation and electrical currents
Categories of Physical Agents
THERMAL
Deep heating agents e.g. Diathermy
Superficial heating agents e.g.. Hot Pack
Cooling agents e.g. Ice Pack

MECHANICAL
Traction e.g. Mechanical Traction
Compression e.g. Elastic Bandage
Water e.g. Whirlpool
Sound e.g. Ultrasound
Cont…

ELECTROMAGNETIC
Electromagnetic tools e.g. Ultraviolet
Electric currents e.g. TENS
01.THERMAL AGENTS
 These agents increase or decrease the tissue
temperature

 Physiological Effects of thermal agents

o Increase the tissue temperature
o To increase the circulation
o Increase metabolic rate
o Increase soft tissue extensibility
o Decrease pain
Cont…
 When to apply cold agents???????
o To decrease circulation
o Decrease metabolic rate
o Decrease pain
 Hunting’s Phenomenon

 Cold agents are mostly preferred in acute

inflammation
 PRICER phenomenon in Acute Conditions
02. MECHANICAL AGENTS
 Apply mechanical force to increase or decrease
pressure in or on the body
 Traction
Cont…
 Compression increases the pressure
between structures to counteract fluid
pressure and to control edema
Hydrotherapy
 The application of water is called hydrotherapy
 Archimedes Principle
 Fibromyalgia
Sound
 It is a mechanical form of energy composed of
alternating waves of compression and rarefaction
 Frequency greater than 20,000 cycles per second
 Thermal and non-thermal effects
 Cont & Pulse Mode???
 1& 3MHz ???
03. ELECTROMAGNETIC
AGENTS
 Electromagnetic agents apply electromagnetic energy
in the form of electromagnetic radiation or an
electrical currents
Electromagnetic tools
 Ultraviolet radiation, produce erythema and tanning

of the skin but doesn't produce heat

 Infrared radiation, produces heat in superficial tissues

 Short wave diathermy , which has a frequency of 10

million to 100 million cycles per second, produces

heat in both superficial and deep tissues
SWD Infrared
Lamp
Electric currents
 The effects and clinical application of electrical
currents vary according to the waveform, intensity,
duration and direction of the current flow and
according to the types to which the current is applied
 These currents depolarize nerves, causing sensory
or motor responses that may be used to control
pain, increase muscle strength , control the
formation of edema, promote wound healing etc…
Classification of Electrical
Currents
 On the basis of Direction ???
 On the basis of Frequency ???

 On the basis of Voltage ???

 On the basis of Amperage ???

 On the basis of Biophysical

Effects ???
Areas of Electrotherapy
 Low frequency currents
 Medium frequency currents

 High frequency currents

 Phototherapy

 Elctrodiagnosis

 Biofeedback
Cont…

Low Frequency Currents:

o Frequency range 0 to 100 cycles per second
o Use in the stimulation of nerve

e.g.
 Direct current, Faradic Current
CONT….

Medium frequency Currents:

o Frequency in the range of 1000 to 10,000 cycles per
second
o Use for muscle re-education, retard the rate of muscle
atrophy, drainage of edema and for pain relief
 Interferential Current, etc.
Cont…

High frequency currents:

o Frequency more than 10,000 cycles per second
o Produce deep heat inside the tissues

e.g.
 SWD

 Therapeutic Ultrasound

 Microwave diathermy

 LASER
Cont…
Phototherapy:
o Treatments of various disease and disorders with the help
of light
o Pain relief by heat, acceleration of healing through
elevation of temperature, counter irritation and
photochemical effects
 e.g. Infrared rays, ultraviolet
rays and LASER
 Heliotherapy
Cont…

Electrodiagnosis:
o It means the detection of the disease and disorders by
the use of electrotherapeutic currents or
electromyography

TESTS:
 Rheobase, Chronaxie, Strength duration curve,
Cont…

Electromyography:
o It is the study of electrical activity of muscle by
means of surface electrodes placed over the skin or
needle electrodes inserted in muscle itself
 Biofeedback:

o It is the process of furnishing the information to an

individual about the body function so as to get some
voluntary control over it
o Biofeedback is a treatment technique in which people
are trained to improve their health by using signals from
their own bodies. Physical therapists for example, use
Biofeedback to help stroke victims regain movement in
paralyzed muscles. Psychologists use it to help tense
and anxious clients learn to relax.
o EMG biofeedback
General Indications for
Electrotherapy & Physical Agents
 Pain Relief (LBP)
 Electrical Stimulation (Facial Palsy, Radial nerve
Palsy)
 Sprain
 RA
 Frozen Shoulder
General Contra-indications for
Electrical Currents
 Pregnancy
 Malignancy
 Pacemaker
 Impaired sensation
 Impaired mentation
 DHS?????
…….

…
THE END…