Electrotherapy - application, effect and areas of use

Electrotherapy uses electricity to reduce pain, stimulate muscles and promote healing. Find out when it helps and how it is used.

Interested in regular tips & information about health? Interested in regular tips & information about health?

Wissenswertes über "Electrotherapy"

Electrotherapy is an established procedure in physiotherapy that uses electric current specifically to relieve pain, stimulate muscles and promote healing

In electrotherapy, electrical impulses are applied to the skin via electrodes in order to to influence nerves, muscles or tissues in a targeted manner. Depending on the frequency, form of current and intensity, there are different forms of application such as TENS, EMS, galvanisation or interferential current therapy.

A classic area of application is pain therapyfor chronic or acute complaints - for example in the back, joints or muscle tension. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has an analgesic effect via stimulation current and is also used by patients at home. In contrast, electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) is used to strengthen weakened muscles, e.g. after operations or during immobilisation.

Electrotherapy is well tolerated, non-invasive and pain-free. It is often treated with exercise therapy, manual procedures and - depending on the indication - with anti-inflammatory micronutrients such as magnesium, omega-3, curcumin or vitamin D combined. Contraindications include pacemakers, pregnancy or acute infections.

Mechanisms of action of electrotherapy:

Pain relief through inhibition of pain transmission (gate control theory)
Muscle activation for weakness or after surgery
Promoting the circulation and the lymphatic drainage
Promotion of healing for tendon, ligament or soft tissue injuries
Relief of tension, e.g. in the shoulder/neck area. e.g. in the shoulder/neck area

Frequently used forms of current:

TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation): Pain relief
EMS (Electrical muscle stimulation): Muscle building
Galvanic current: Promotes blood circulation and healing
Interferential current: deep tissue stimulation
Ultra stimulation current(high voltage): combined effect for chronic complaints

Applications of electrotherapy:

Back pain, Arthrosis, tennis elbow, sciatica
Muscle weakness, e.g. B. after cruciate ligament surgery
Tension, muscular imbalances
Sports injuries, Soft tissue trauma
Incontinence therapy, neurological rehab (e.g. stroke)

Literature references

Kitchen, S. & Bazin, S. (2002): Clayton's Electrotherapy. Elsevier.
Johnson, M.I. (2007): Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) research. J Pain.
Reed, B.V. (2001): Electrotherapy in Rehabilitation. FA Davis.