Electrotherapy Modalities available at Bayview Physiotherapy
Click any of the techniques in the list above to read about that specific technology and it's therapeutic benefits.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy or ESWT is a method of treatment of kidney stones, shoulder tendinitis, and other conditions by application of high-intensity acoustic energy.
The microtrauma of the repeated shock wave to the affected area creates new blood flow into the area. It is this new blood flow that promotes tissue healing. Also, by having shockwave therapy a new inflammatory process is created and the brain can react to it by sending the necessary body nutrients to the area to promote healing.
back pain relief
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, more commonly referred to as TENS is the application of electrical current through the skin for pain control. TENS is a non-invasive, safe method to reduce pain, both acute and chronic. Basic science studies show that high and low frequency TENS produce their effects by activation of opioid receptors in the central nervous system.
Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), also known as neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) or electromyostimulation, is the elicitation of muscle contraction using electric impulses. The impulses are generated by a device and delivered through electrodes on the skin in direct proximity to the muscles to be stimulated. The impulses mimic the action potential coming from the central nervous system, causing the muscles to contract. The electrodes are generally pads that adhere to the skin.
EMS is used for rehabilitation purposes, for instance in the prevention of disuse muscle atrophy which can occur for example after musculoskeletal injuries, such as damage to bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons. However, this should not be confused with TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator): the use of electric current in pain therapy.
the healing process
Ultrasound is used widely in Physiotherapy treatment to speed the rate of healing & enhance the quality of the repair and to reduce pain.
The frequency of the sound wave is 1-3 million pulses per second. This creates a vibration and micro streaming within the tissue which facilitates circulation and aids the healing sequence.
Ultrasound can facilitate healing through the various stages of healing : Inflammation, Proliferation and Remodelling.
During the inflammatory phase, Ultrasound has a stimulating effect on the mast cells, platelets, white cells with phagocytic roles. In the proliferative phase (scar production) Ultrasound has an optimizing effect on the fibroblasts, endothelial cells and myofibroblasts. These are all cells that are normally active during scar production. Ultrasound facilitates the production of the required scar tissue by increasing the protein and collagen synthesis. During remodelling, therapeutic ultrasound stimulates the remodelling of scar tissue. The role of ultrasound in this phase may also have the capacity to influence collagen fibre orientation.
The application of ultrasound during the inflammatory, proliferative and remodelling phases has the capacity to stimulate or enhance these normal events and thus increase the efficiency of the repair.
