Introduction to electrotherapy

lecture no #01

Dr. Shafaq Shahid

Lecturer (RCRS,RIU)
DPT, MS-OMPT

1
Detailed Course Outline:

1. INTRODUCTION & GENERAL CONSIDERATION OF ELECTROTHERAPY

2. LOW FREQUENCY CURRENT
• Faradic current
• Sinusoidal current
3. Medium Frequency Current:
• Galvanic current •Interferential Current
• constant galvanic current  
• modified galvanic current
• Superimposed currents
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
• Dia-dynamic currents

2
Detailed Course Outline:

3
 introduction
Use of electric current in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorder.
The choice of adequate modality is according to:
• the structure to be treated
•the pt. tolerance
•the absence of contraindications.

4
 Categories
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

5
Cont…

ELECTROMAGNETIC
Electromagnetic tools e.g. Ultraviolet
Electric currents e.g. TENS

6
 Electric currents

The effects and clinical application of electrical currents vary according

to the:

 waveform

 intensity

duration and direction of the current flow

 according to the types of tissues to which the current is applied

7
Areas of Electrotherapy

• Low frequency currents

• Medium frequency currents
• High frequency currents
• Phototherapy
• Elctrodiagnosis
• Biofeedback

8
LOW FREQUENCY CURRENT
1.TENS
(Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulators)

9
 TENS transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
 Def: is the application of low freq. current through surface electrode on the skin
surface for stimulating the sensory component of the peripheral nerves to decrease
pain.

10
 INDICATIONS of TENS:
o Acute pain:
• Musculoskeletal system:
•arthritis
•strain of ligament muscles sprain.
• lumbar spondylosis.
• Sport injuries:
ligament Or muscle Sprain.

• Neurological:
Trigeminal neuralgia.
sciatica
11
 INDICATIONS of TENS: …cont
o Chronic pain:
• As rheumatoid arthritis
• LBP. Lumbar spondylosis.
• myofacial pain.
o Post-operative pain:
• post-laminectomy

12
2.Galvanic (direct)
current

13
 Galvanic current
It is a direct Current used to stimulate muscle directly, without
activation of the peripheral nerve “ surged current”.

14
• Galvanic current indications:
• Peripheral nerve injury.
• Bell’s palsy.

15
Interferential
therapy

16
 Interferential therapy:
 Def: it is a form of electrotherapy in which 2 medium freq.
currents are used to produce low freq effect.

17
Indication of IFC:
o Reduce inflammation & oedema (by Increased local blood flow ).
o Muscle stimulation (ms. Reeducation and strengthing)
o Pain relief.
Contra-indications:
Acute inflammation or TB
Malignancy.
Metal implants.
Pace makers
Skin lesions.
Intolerance.

18
General Indications for Electrotherapy
• Stimulation in Nerve Injuries
• Drainage of edema
• Pain relief
• Heating the Deeper Tissues

19
General Contra-indications for Electrotherapy

• Pregnancy
• Malignancy
• Pacemaker
• Impaired sensation
• Impaired mentation

20
References
• Text book of electrotherapy by jagmohan singh
• Physical agents in Rehabilitation by Michelle H. Camron
• Clayton’s Electrotherapy

21
Thank you
22