Electrotherapy includes a range of waves that use electricity to reduce pain, improve circulation, repair tissues, and strengthen muscles, leading to improvements in physical functioning.
Electrotherapy may directly block transmission of pain signals along nerves. In addition, electrical stimulation has been shown to promote the release of endorphins, which are natural painkillers produced by the body.
Our chiropractors use several forms of electrical stimulation that produce different frequencies, waveforms, and effects. Electrical modalities we use include:
- Electronic Muscle Stimulation (EMS)
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
- Interferential Current (IFC)
- Russian Stimulation
- Micro-Current
Electronic Muscle Stimulation (EMS)
EMS for strength and firming exercises muscle fibers at a high-power working level and is intended to develop the maximum contractile force in a muscle, and includes a warm-up and workout period. The stimulation is continuous at subtetanic (twitch) frequency during the warm-up period. At the workout phase, the stimulation alternates between weak twitch contractions and strong tetanic contractions.
EMS for endurance exercises muscle fibers at an average-medium working level. It is meant to work the slow twitch muscle fibers. The idea is to work the muscle for a longer period of time (approx. 60 minutes per session). It was designed to increase the above average intensity of muscle strength or effort that must be maintained over a long period of time.
EMS for resistance works by a combination of fast twitch and slow twitch muscle fibers and is intended to increase muscle toning and basic strength. It is meant to increase the time the muscle is able to maintain a high-power working point.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
The TENS active rehabilitation program is for the relief of chronic pain, muscle injury, pinched nerve and other muscle disorders. It produces muscle twitches at a very low frequency. These twitches act like a massage.
Interferential Current (IFC)
IFC allows for higher intensity and deeper penetration to the muscle at a more comfortable level. Through the use of its greater frequency, a higher HZ is used, thus increasing the depth of penetration (less skin resistance). The slightly different currents are superimposed to form what is called interference, which blocks the transmission of pain messages to the brain, resulting in much-needed pain relief from inflammation and disc herniation.
Russian Stimulation
Russian Stimulation was developed in order to help strengthen the muscles of world-class athletes and bodybuilders. Russian Muscle Stimulation is very similar to EMS but with a higher frequency of 2,500HZ at 50 pulses per second. This allows for deeper, stronger, yet comfortable penetration to the muscle. It has also been used to regenerate nerve fibers. Regeneration occurs by contracting muscles that have been denervated. This stimulation helps the brain reconnect a circuit that has been rewired or blocked in some way.
Russian Stimulation is similar to IFC because it also helps with increasing blood flow, lymphatic drainage, and sensory fiber stimulation. IFC and Russian Stimulation also stimulate the secretion of endorphins, which helps to reduce pain.
Micro-Current
Micro-Current Therapy is the application of electrical stimulation to muscles, ligaments, and joints to provide pain relief and promote tissue healing. Micro Current Therapy is the only electrical therapy whose currents can penetrate cells. All other currents such as TENS pass over the cells. This program can also be used in areas that have cellulite such as the hamstrings, buttocks, and arms.