Electrotherapeutic Currents

Pain management in physiotherapy is the initial step before proceeding towards any exercise plan. The aim is to achieve greatest benefit i.e. improving patients condition. It can be done by the application of electrotherapeutic modalities. To have basic understanding of currents that are used in these modalities and which conditions they are applied is crucial for a physiotherapist so that he may not put patients health in danger or at risk.

Modalities used in physiotherapy:

• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
• Interferential Current (IFC)
• Galvanic Stimulation (GS)
• Russian Stimulation
• Short Wave Diathermy 
• Faradic Stimulation
• Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)
• Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)
• Laser Therapy 
• Therapeutic Ultrasound
• Infrared Radiation Therapy

Indications:

• Pain management
• Muscle spasm 
• Edema reduction
• Muscle stimulation
• Promotion of tissue healing
• Muscle strengthening
• Endurance training
• Muscle re-education
• Improving range of motion
• Gait training
• Preventing muscle atrophy
• Rehabilitation after injury or surgery

Thus understanding of electrotherapeutic current is important to prevent any complication and attain maximum therapeutic effect.