Electric Stimulation

What is Electrical Stimulation?

While it may sound a bit intimidating, electrical stimulation really isn’t at all! When used correctly and provided under the guidance of a licensed and skilled physical therapist, electrical stimulation is a safe and efficacious modality that can be used to treat a variety of conditions.

What is Electrical Stimulation Used for in Physical Therapy?

There are several electrical stimulation modes that use different types of currents intended to stimulate different nerves in a variety of specific ways. These include modes such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), interferential, pre-modulated, russian, and symmetrical or asymmetrical bi-phasic. Your physical therapist will decide the right mode to meet your unique needs.

Our clinic frequently utilizes electrical stimulation to provide a variety of beneficial healing effects. It helps to:

• Reduce, eliminate, and/or control pain (both acute and chronic)
• Increase local circulation
• Decrease swelling
• Improve range of motion
• Reduce muscle spasm
• Provide biofeedback (aka improve body awareness)
• Improve motor coordination
• Provide neuromuscular re-education
• Prevent or reverse muscle atrophy (especially after prolonged immobilization, such as a limb being casted as a fracture heals)

Pain control and reduction is probably the most frequent indication of electrical stimulation usage. Specifically, this modality can trigger an innate and completely natural analgesic effect by stimulating specific sensory nerve fibers (including A-beta, A-delta, and C fibers) which both disrupt or decrease the sensation of pain and also elicit the release of certain neurotransmitters which can prolong the pain-relieving effects.

Does Electrical Muscle Stimulation Hurt?

No, the intensity of the electrical muscle stimulation or sensory nerve stimulation is easily modifiable to what you can tolerate. Typically, electrical stimulation will feel tingly or prickly (some patients describe it as a comforting “pins and needles” sensation). Sometimes, as in the case when used for muscle strengthening, the intensity level can be high and somewhat uncomfortable, but it should never cause pain.

What Should I Expect During an Electrical Stimulation Session?

Our patients’ comfort, safety, and dignity are the number one priority. For this reason, we’ll ask you to come in comfortable, loose-fitting clothes and sturdy shoes when you come to see us for an appointment.

At Reddy Care Physical and Occupational Therapy, we can get you set up with the right therapist for you. Call today to schedule a consultation!

Great Neck: 475 Northern Blvd., Ste.11, Great Neck, NY 11021  Tel. (516) 829-0030

Farmingdale: 309 North West Dr., Farmingdale, NY 11735   Tel. (516) 420-2900

Woodbury: 150 Woodbury Rd., Woodbury, NY 11797   Tel. (516) 367-1111

Deer Park: 2024 Deer Park Ave., Deer Park, NY 11729   Tel. (631) 243-0247

North Shore Towers: 272-78 Grand Central Pkwy., Floral Park, NY 11005   Tel. (516) 344-0030

Bayside - Aquatic Therapy: 208-32 Cross Island Pkwy., Bayside, NY11360  Tel. (718) 224-8480

Oceanside: 2421 S Long Beach Rd., Oceanside, NY 11572  Tel. (516) 992-2282

New York City: 250 West 93rd Street, New York, NY 10025 Tel. (212) 580-0125

 In-Home Physical & Occupational Therapy (Home Care): 516-829-0030 

*Home therapy servicing Long Island, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, the Bronx & Manhattan*

Sources: Source 1

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Written by:

Dr. Vinod Somareddy, PT, DPT

President

Reddy Care Physical Therapy

Reddy Care Occupational Therapy

Reddy Care Aquatic Therapy

Author

Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy is an outstanding specialty service providing exceptional care and state-of-the-art treatments for the residents of Farmingdale and Great Neck, New York. The combination of innovative exercise programs, manual therapy, and technology together with the expertise of every member of the team enables Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy to provide services that ensure superior clinical outcomes and consistently high patient satisfaction.