Definition
Electrotherapy is the use of electrical energy as a medical treatment.
- It employs controlled electrical currents of various frequencies.
- Used for neurological diseases, muscle rehabilitation, pain suppression, improved circulation, and surgical procedures.
- Delivered through devices such as brain stimulators, muscle stimulators, pacemakers, and defibrillators.
Types of Electrotherapy by Frequency
1. Low Frequency (< 800 Hz)
- Used for muscle stimulation and pain modulation.
- Techniques:
- Triangle currents (< 100 Hz, t = 1 ms): induce muscle contraction.
- TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation):
- Small impulse durations (< 0.5 ms, 80–250 Hz).
- Modulates pain via stimulation of sensory nerves.
- Diadynamic currents:
- Monopolar impulses (50 Hz) or double rectified bursts (100 Hz).
- Cause ion shifts and alter cell membrane permeability.
2. Mid Frequency (800 – 5000 Hz)
- Penetrates deeper into tissues without causing pain.
- Main effects:
- Improved blood circulation.
- Suppression of pain signals.
3. High Frequency (500 – 600 kHz, V ≈ 15 kV)
- Used in electrosurgery:
- Cutting and coagulating tissues.
- Achieves minimal blood loss.
- Provides simultaneous thermal sterilization of the surgical field (electrotomy).
4. Ultra-High Frequency (Inductothermy)
- Uses a magnetic field to induce harmonic vibrations in blood electrolytes.
- Acts most strongly on body fluids and internal organs.
- Effects:
- Enhances blood supply.
- Boosts metabolic processes.
- Provides pain relief.