Electrotherapy – types, forms, benefits, effects

KEY BENEFITS OF ELECTROTHERAPY IN PHYSIOTHERAPY

TREATMENTS
Physiotherapists use a variety of tools to manage pain, restore range of motion, and treat conditions of the
musculoskeletal system.
Along with methods like joint mobilisation, stretching, and targeted exercises, your physiotherapist might
recommend electrotherapy as a treatment option to promote treat injuries, promote healing, and offer
pain relief.
Electrotherapy treats chronic pain, musculoskeletal injuries, muscle wasting, and nerve pain by using
targeted and controlled electrical stimulation.
Electrotherapy is a gentle and non-invasive modality that works by stimulating nerves and muscles
through the surface of the skin. Though it varies based on which device your practitioner uses,
electrotherapy is thought to work in a variety of ways:
• Send out electrical impulses that block or interfere with the body's pain signals, leading to reduced pain.
• Help release endorphins (chemical messengers) that naturally decrease pain in the body.
• Stimulate muscle tissue to contract to reduce atrophy.
• Create a heating effect within the body which improves circulation and stimulates healing.
• Stimulate cells which reduce inflammation, promote collagen production, and inhibit pain.
Main Types of Electrotherapy Treatment
Transcutan Therapeutic Interferential Electroacupuncture Shockwave Electrical
eous Ultrasound Therapy Muscle
Electrical Stimulation
Nerve (EMS)
Stimulation
(TENS)
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relief and is tendons — to boost reduce pain organs or bodily trigger points, muscles to
often used circulation and systems used to and reduce contract, often
for both stimulate the treat chemotherapy inflammation used in cases
nerve pain healing process,to side effects and in the body to treat and
and chronic treat strains, acute pain. prevent
pain tendonitis, and muscle
conditions. knee meniscus atrophy.
tears.

Benefits of Electrotherapy in Physiotherapy Treatments

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The roots of using electrical stimulation for pain control and relief stretch all the way back to ancient
Rome between the 16th and 18th centuries, several devices were used to produce electrical signals for the
treatment of headaches and other types of pain.
Electrotherapy is a form of medical treatment that uses small electrical impulses to repair tissue, stimulate
muscles and increase sensations and muscle strength. It can assist pain reduction and the natural healing
response of the body. Electrotherapy has short-term benefits that can assist with the earlier introduction of
other longer lasting techniques such as exercise prescription.
While many patients will feel the immediate benefits of electrotherapy, it is wise to think of these passive
modalities as comparable to pain relieving or anti-inflammatory medications. Electrotherapy offers short
term pain relief or inflammation reduction and allows you to continue moving and functioning as
comfortably as possible until you can address the underlying cause of the pain.
Electrotherapy utilizes electrical signals to disrupt the ability of the body to transmit neural pain signals to
the brain. It effectively overwhelms the pain signals that the body is sending to the brain using the
“gateway” approach to pain mitigation. The gateway approach is used in other forms of therapy such as the
application of topical analgesics. However, generally speaking, electrotherapy has proven to be a more
useful tool for the application of the gateway theory than many types of conventional medication.
In addition to pain reduction, the electric current can also speed tissue healing in the case of patients with
tissue damage.
There are several different forms of electrotherapy. Some of the most commonly used forms include
ultrasound, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), interferential therapy, electrical muscle
stimulation and laser therapy.
There are also widely varying benefits of electrotherapy. Ultrasound uses sonic waves to promote healing,
while interferential therapy and TENS (discussed below) reduce pain through nerve manipulation. Laser
therapy is useful for repairing damaged tissues; this treatment can target the injured tissues with high levels
of accuracy but is also extremely intense. TENS is an electrotherapy treatment that is a popular solution for
a variety of painful conditions such as arthritis, lower back pain, labour pain and nerve related pain,
including phantom pain.
TENS works by using a (usually portable) electrical device to deliver electrical impulses through the skin.
The device is connected by wires to electrodes which the physiotherapist places on the skin adjacent to the
area of the pain. The device then passes a small, low-intensity electric charge through the area.
TENS can work in two ways. The first uses high frequency signals to selectively stimulate certain ‘non-
pain’ nerve fibres to send signals to the brain that block (“overwhelm”) other nerve signals carrying pain
messages. This is the gateway approach to pain reduction discussed earlier.
In addition, TENS uses low frequency signals that stimulate the production of endorphins. Endorphins are
natural pain-relieving hormones which act as a built-in pain management system.
There is a tradeoff between high and low frequency stimulation. High frequency stimulation is tolerable for
hours, but the resultant pain relief lasts for a shorter period of time. Low frequency stimulation is
comparable to acupuncture and is usually tolerable for short periods only. However, the resulting pain relief
lasts much longer than that resulting from high frequency stimulation. Low-frequency stimulation,
sometimes compared to acupuncture, is more uncomfortable and tolerable for only around 20-30 minutes,
but the resultant pain relief lasts longer.
TENS users should try placing the electrodes in various places relative to the painful area. For example, they
can place them directly over the area, on an adjacent area or over the nerves serving the area. In some cases,
TENS users may even find relief placing them on the side of the body opposite the site of the pain. It is
important to try the unit for periods of several days with alternative electrode positions before deciding
whether this will be an effective type of treatment. For these reasons, users should consider a home trial that
could last for several days to weeks.
Interferential Therapy (IFT) is a deeper, more intensive type of TENS treatment. IFT uses dual high
frequency electrical signals that are slightly out of phase and are transmitted into the body simultaneously.
The signals are transmitted so their paths will actually interfere with one another (giving the treatment its
name). This interference produces a “beat” frequency that simulates the effect of subcutaneous (i.e. under
the skin) low frequency stimulation.
IFT is usually administered by a health care practitioner such as a physiotherapist. The therapist places damp
sponges on the body and these produce low level signals that simulate a “pins and needles” sensation. The
physiotherapist will adjust the treatment to target the correct bodily structures and/or to treat a specific
condition or body area.
There are five main clinical needs for which research has found IFT to be an effective solution. These
include pain relief, muscular stimulation (to mitigate muscle wastage, facilitate muscle re-education and to
maintain joint range of motion), improved local blood flow, edema reduction and acceleration of soft tissue
healing.
Answer the questions
1.What is Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)?
2. What are the benefits of TENS?
3. What is Interferential Therapy?
4. What are the benefits of IFT?
5. What Is Electrotherapy?
6. What are the benefits of electrotherapy?

Fill in

tingling increased medical electrical sprained transcutaneous advanced

Electrotherapy is a form of ___________ treatment, which uses small ___________impulses to repair tissue,
stimulate muscles and increase sensations and muscle strength. There are several different forms of
electrotherapy; these include ultrasound, interferential therapy, _________electrical nerve stimulation
(TENS), laser therapy and muscle stimulation. Ultrasound uses sound waves to speed up the healing process,
while interferential therapy and TENS reduce pain by manipulating the nerves which reduces the sensation
of pain and produces a __________feeling. Laser therapy is sometimes used to repair damaged tissue; using
lasers means the treatment can be both accurate and intense.
The benefits of electrotherapy are wide-ranging and include a more __________healing process, a more
effective circulatory system and increased muscle tone. The effects of electrotherapy include a reduction in
pain, __________strength, increased range of movement, increased speed and strength of muscle
contractions and an increased rate of absorption. Generally injuries that have caused swelling will respond
well to electrotherapy; these include ___________ankles and overuse injuries such as tennis and golfer’s
elbow
I. Tick (✓) the correct answer A, B, or C.
Example: They ______ from Rome. They’re fromFlorence.
A. not ■ B. aren’t ■ C. isn’t ■

1 ‘Have you finished that report?’ ‘No, not ______.’

A. just ■ B. already ■ C. yet ■

2 What ______ you do yesterday afternoon?

A. are ■ B. did ■ C. do ■
3 I ______ in the park when it started raining.
A. sat ■ B. was sitting ■ C. sit ■

4. ______ you ever been to the museum?’ ‘No, this is the first time.’
A Had ■ B Has ■ C Have ■

5. He couldn’t remember where he ______ his car.

A. had parked ■ B. was parking ■ C. has parked ■

6 We ______ work tomorrow.

A haven’t to ■ B don’t have to ■ C must to ■

7. I ______ the gym on Thursday evenings.

A. go usually to ■ B. always go ■C .often go to ■

8. I put ______ salt in the pasta.

A. a little ■ B. too many ■ C. a few ■

9. Hello! Come in. I’ve ______ made some coffee.

Would you like some?
A just ■ B already ■ C yet ■

10 ‘I don’t want to rent a horror film.’ ‘______ do I.’

A Neither ■ B So ■ C Either ■

11 ______ in the sea makes you really strong.

A Swim ■ B Swimming ■ C Swiming ■

12 It’s snowing. ______

A Putting your hat on ■ B Your hat put on ■C Put your hat on ■

13 A key is a thing ______ you use to open doors.

A where ■ B which ■ C who ■
14 ______ to the basketball match on Saturday?
A Are you going ■ B Do you go ■ C Will you go ■

15 She ______ invite him if she didn’t want him to come.

A won’t ■ B not ■ C wouldn’t ■

16 I need some advice. What ______ I do?

A should ■ B must ■ C could ■

17 This castle ______ in 1600.

A was built ■ B built ■ C was build ■

18 I don’t have ______ money left, because I bought a new jacket.

A much ■ B many ■ C lots ■

19 He ______ me not to tell anyone.

A say ■ B told ■ C said ■

20 What ______ you do if she doesn’t reply to your email?

A will ■ B would ■ C do ■
21 Let’s order a pizza. We don’t have ______ to cook for dinner.
A nothing ■ B anything ■ C something ■

22 They’ve lived in the same house ______ forty years.

A for ■ B since ■ C ago ■

23. I ______ come and see you tonight if I can borrow Joe’s car.
A must ■ B might ■ C have to ■

24 I think this is the ______ song on the CD.

A better ■ B most best ■ C best ■

25 That case is too heavy for you. I ______ you.

A ’ll help ■ B help ■ C ’m going to help ■

II. Underline the correct form.

Example: We usually get up / get up usually early every morning.

1 I don’t usually have / I’m not usually having dessert, but I’ll have one tonight.
2 Jake tries / is trying to get fit for the athletics competition next month.
3 In the summer, I often cycle / I’m often cycling to work.
4 What are you doing / do you do this evening?
5 Helen don’t work / isn’t working tomorrow, so we’re meeting for lunch.
6 Clare buys a lot of takeaways, but I prefer / I’m preferring home-made food.
7. He’s doing / been doing yoga for three years now.
8. I’ve been waiting for this moment since / for a long time.
9. I’ve disliked / been disliking bananas since I was a child.
10. Don’t worry. I haven’t been crying / cried – I’ve got a cold.
11. I’m writing a letter to my best friend. I’ve known / been knowing her for years.
12. How long has his father been working / does his father work in Madrid?

III. Complete the sentences. Use the correct form of the verb in brackets.

Example: He was watching (watch) a film on TV when I arrived.

1 I ________ (already / finish) cooking when Gill offered to help.

2 As soon as I arrived, we ________ (order) our food – everyone had waited for me.
3 Manchester United ________ (win) 2–0 at half time, but they lost the match 3–2.
4 We were really tired when we arrived because we ________ (not sleep) for 26 hours.
5 You’re lucky I’m still here. I ________ (get) ready to go out when you phoned.
6. I was thinking about him when he ________ (ring) me!
7. Last week the boss ________ (say) he would give me a pay rise, because I was so hard-working.

IV. Complete the sentences with shall / going to / will or the present continuous.

Example: I’m sure that Jess will help (help) you if you ask her.
1 A I ________ (go) to town this afternoon. ________ (I /go) to the supermarket on my way back?
B Yes, we need bread, milk and some fruit.
A OK. I ________ (get) all that, and some eggs, too.

2 A I heard on the radio that the weather ________ (be) excellent this weekend.
B That’s good, because my parents ________ (come) to stay with me.

3 A I went to see Miami Vice yesterday at the cinema. It’s excellent.

B Oh good. I ________ (see) it tomorrow.
A I know you ________ (love) it.

V. Complete the dialogues with the verbs. Use the present perfect simple or the past simple.

Example: I’ve been to Beijing, but I’ve never been (not / go) to Shanghai.

John How long 1 ________ (you / know) each other?

Keira Well, we 2 ________ (meet) in 1998 and we’ve been good friends since.
Doctor What seems to be the problem?
Mike I 3 ________ (fall) over playing basketball. I think I 4 ________ (break) my finger.
Sean Hello, could I speak to Mr Jackson, please?
Alison I’m sorry, he 5 ________ (just / go) into a meeting.
Jennie 6 ________ (you / take) out any money from the cash machine this morning?
Alex No, because I had £30 in my wallet.
Will 7 ________ (you / ever/ lend) anyone your car?
Tom Yes, I lent it to my brother and I would never do it again!

VI. Underline the odd word out.

Example: beans salmon spicy sausages

1 spicy prawns sweet fresh

2 duck sausages chicken beans
3 starter main course napkin dessert
4 grilled baked boiled raw
5 knife fork glass spoon
6 frozen home-made menu low-fat

VII. Read the article and tick (✓) A, B, or C.

We interviewed three people about how family and friends have affected their personalities.
Maria Stanovich
I’ve always had a strong relationship with my family. An important influence on my personality was my grandmother, Hannah.
She was born in 1930 into a poor family with seven children – they had to take very good care of each other in order to survive.
Growing up in such difficult conditions had a positive effect on her, teaching her to share everything, be honest, helpful, hard-
working, and affectionate. My grandmother taught me all these things, making me realize that family is more important than
material possessions.
Katie Dupont
The people around you have the greatest influence on your life – they affect the way you behave and think. As soon as Rob and I
met, we connected. When Rob was young, his father died in a motorcycle accident. Being brought up as an only child by a single
parent made him independent and ambitious. He left home at 16, and since then has lived in different places and had various jobs.
He’s taught me that it’s important to find time for friends and family and to do what makes you happy. He always has fun, trying
new things, keeping his mind and body healthy, and he still works hard to achieve his goals. I greatly admire Rob and I hope that
one day I can look at life in the way that he does.

Jed Mitchell
I spent many hours as a child listening to my uncle Wilson’s stories. He was the youngest of 11 children whose family lived in a
fishing town in Scotland. Life was hard and with so many mouths to feed, the children began working from an early age. At just
14, my uncle began his first job as a fisherman. That was the beginning of his adventures – he travelled and worked in Alaska,
South-East Asia, India, and Africa. He educated himself, learnt to be a chef, an engineer, a farmer, and photographer. Uncle
Wilson taught me that life is special and that you should take every opportunity that you can to fill it with adventure.

Example:
Katie believes that your family and friends don’t influence you.
A True ■ B False ■✓ C Doesn’t say ■

1 Maria has a close relationship with her family.

A True ■ B False ■ C Doesn’t say ■

2 Maria’s grandmother had seven children.

A True ■ B False ■ C Doesn’t say ■

3 Maria’s grandmother is still alive.

A True ■ B False ■ C Doesn’t say ■
4 Growing up in a big family made Maria’s grandmother less selfish.
A True ■ B False ■ C Doesn’t say ■
5 Katie met Rob at work.
A True ■ B False ■ C Doesn’t say ■
6 Katie knew she and Rob would be good friends because they immediately got on well.
A True ■ B False ■ C Doesn’t say ■
7 Katie thinks Rob lives his life in a positive way.
A True ■ B False ■ C Doesn’t say ■
8 Jed’s uncle’s first job was as a chef.
A True ■ B False ■ C Doesn’t say ■
9 Jed thinks people shouldn’t waste any chances in life.
A True ■ B False ■ C Doesn’t say ■
10 Jed would like to travel like his uncle did.
A True ■ B False ■ C Doesn’t say ■

VIII. WRITING

Imagine you’re going to study at a language school in the UK for three weeks. You receive an email from
your home-stay family asking some questions about your lifestyle. Reply to their email and include the
following information. (140–180 words)

• thank them for email

• your age, family, work / study
• what you usually eat / your likes and dislikes
• sports you do / interests you have
IX. Write the synonyms.

Example: very tasty ----------- delicious

1 very angry ________

2 very starving________
3 very frightened ________
4 very bad ________
5 very freezing________
6 very dirty ________
7 very hot ________

10. Write the comparative or superlative form of the adjectives.

Example: The people in Ireland are some of the friendliest (friendly) in the world.

1 He looks much ________ (good) with short hair.

2 That was probably ________ (bad) meal I’ve ever had in a restaurant!
3 My new office is ________ (tiny) as my last one.
4 Is transport here ________ (expensive) as in your country?
5 When we all checked in, Frankie’s luggage was ________ (heavy).
6 We think this design is ________ (interesting) than that one.
7 The trains in Japan are ________ (modern) I’ve ever travelled on.

http://www.ckphysio.co.uk/blog/key-benefits-electrotherapy-physiotherapy-treatments/
https://dunbarmedical.com/benefits-of-electrotherapy/
https://www.ctchealthcare.co.uk/treatment/specialist/electrotherapy/