One of the biggest reasons electrical stimulation is prescribed is for pain management.
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 decrease the sensation of pain and release neurotransmitters that prolong the pain-relieving effects.
Electrical stimulation has a variety of other benefits, including:
-Improve motor coordination
-Increase local circulation
-Improve range of motion
-Reduce muscle spasm
-Reduce, eliminate, and/or control pain (both acute and chronic)
-Prevent or reverse muscle atrophy (especially after prolonged immobilization, such as a limb being cast as a fracture heals)
-Provide biofeedback (aka improve body awareness)
-Provide neuromuscular re-education
-Decrease swelling
Electrical stimulation is also safe to use on every area of the body – even the anterior neck, eyes, or over areas with damaged skin or decreased sensation.
However, electrical stimulation is not for everyone. Those with deep vein thrombosis, those who are pregnant, those with pacemakers, and those with impaired cognition would likely be advised against electrical stimulation.
Some of the most common conditions treated with electrical stimulation include:
-Neurological conditions, such as a stroke
-Acute sports-related or auto accident-related injuries
-Muscle strains
-Ligament sprains
-Repetitive stress injuries
If you are interested in learning more about electrical stimulation, or if you think it could benefit you, contact Heart of Texas Physical Therapy today at Waco, TX Center to request an appointment.
We’ll get you started on the path toward pain relief and recovery!