| As a durable medical equipment (DME) provider | | | | or increasing range of motion or joint mobility, |
| you no doubt already know about the therapeutic | | | | prevention of venous thrombosis (blood clots due |
| benefits and the market demands for electrical | | | | to inactivity) immediately following surgery and for |
| therapy devices. You may even be aware of the | | | | general muscle strengthening and toning. |
| various devices on the market and what purpose | | | | IF |
| each serves. But do you know how each device | | | | I.F. stands for Interferential. It crosses two slightly |
| works and why? | | | | different, medium-frequency alternating currents |
| Understanding the science behind the specific | | | | to create a third, much stronger and deeper sub |
| functions of each type of electro therapy device | | | | frequency current ideal for deep tissue stimulation. |
| will help you to choose the best solution for your | | | | It has both healing and pain relief benefits. Its |
| patients, which will improve the end user's | | | | unique current is able to pass through skin, fat |
| experience, which will in turn lead to customer | | | | and bone-which are poor conductors of current |
| satisfaction, referrals and more sales. | | | | flow-to target the fluid inside the cells of the |
| So here we go, one by one: | | | | damaged area. It changes the fluid in such a way |
| TENS | | | | that excess sodium ions are able to cross the |
| T.E.N.S. is an abbreviation for Transcutaneous | | | | cell's plasma membrane and be actively |
| Electrical Nerve Stimulation. Transcutaneous | | | | transported out of the cell by activating the Na |
| (trans-kyoo-tey-nee-uh s) means "through, or by | | | | K+ pump which then controls the concentration |
| way of the skin." TENS sends electrical impulses | | | | of sodium and potassium ion within the fluid that |
| via electrodes or conductive garments to occupy | | | | surrounds the cells. This occurrence forces |
| the nerve pathways with a more comfortable | | | | displaced fluid to exit the swollen cell which |
| sensation which overrides the pain. More | | | | eliminates edema. Inflammation is also reduced as |
| specifically, according to Wikipedia, the high and | | | | the blood proteins that were trapped in the |
| low frequencies of TENS activate receptors in the | | | | extra-cellular fluid are removed when the sodium |
| spinal cord and the medulla. Further, high | | | | imbalance is corrected and oxygen flow increases |
| frequency TENS reduces excitation of central | | | | to the cell. Oxygen removes bradykin (a blood |
| neurons that transmit nociceptive (pain) | | | | flow restrictor) and histamines (a chemical |
| information, reduces the release of excitatory | | | | substance involved in edema and inflammation) |
| neurotransmitters and increases the release of | | | | thus speeding the cell's recovery. Oxygen also |
| inhibitory neurotransmitters (GABA) in the spinal | | | | removes prostaglandin-a natural pain substance of |
| cord, and activates the main "end" receptors | | | | the body. To obtain IF frequency, electrode |
| centrally resulting in the blockage of pain. Low | | | | placement should be in an "X" pattern, with the |
| frequency TENS also releases serotonin and | | | | point of intersection located directly over the |
| activates serotonin receptors in the spinal cord, | | | | affected tissue area. |
| releases GABA, and activates the main end | | | | HVPG |
| receptors to reduce excitability of nociceptive | | | | H.V.P.G. is an abbreviation for High-Voltage Pulsed |
| neurons in the spinal cord. | | | | Galvanic Current. Galvanic is another word for |
| EMS | | | | direct current (DC). Unlike low-voltage, alternating |
| E.M.S. is an abbreviation for Electrical Muscle | | | | current (AC) that is found in TENS, EMS and IF, |
| Stimulation. Whereas TENS targets the nerves | | | | galvanic is best suited for major tissue trauma |
| and is primarily for pain relief, EMS is more for aid | | | | including bleeding and swelling. It quickly increases |
| in healing via direct muscle stimulation. It sends | | | | blood circulation while reducing edema. Like TENS, |
| electric impulses to elicit muscle contraction and | | | | it stimulates the nerves, which aids pain relief. It |
| relaxation by mimicking signals normally coming | | | | also helps relax muscle spasms and is ideal for |
| from the central nervous system. Studies have | | | | diabetic-induced neuropathy. It is unique in its |
| shown EMS to be beneficial for the prevention of | | | | application using a large dispersive pad which is |
| muscle edema and atrophy by increasing blood | | | | placed in a neutral area on the body to ground |
| circulation. Positive results have also been shown | | | | the current while smaller "active" pads are placed |
| for the adaptation (training) of skeletal muscle | | | | over treatment area. |
| fibers, help in relaxing muscle spasms, maintaining | | | | |