Electrotherapy is an alternative pain management treatment option that involves the use of mild electromagnetic pulses to provide relief for the patient. This treatment option can dull pain, repair tissue, strengthen muscles, and even improve your blood circulation. Electrotherapy has been known to treat and heal several types of pain, including:
- Chronic pain
- Migraines and chronic headaches
- Diabetic nerve pain
- Chronic fatigue
- Fibromyalgia
Depending on the underlying issue and type of pain you are experiencing, electrotherapy treatments can improve and ultimately heal the injured or impaired area of your body and has even been proven to provide relief during wound healing and stimulate bone growth. There are several types of electrotherapy treatments (with the most common being transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS) that all use different versions of the same underlying technology.
Electrotherapy is conducted through the use of a battery-powered device with wires that are connected to several small, adhesive electrode pads. These adhesive pads are sticky by design, and once the device is turned on, the pads are used to transmit the electric current via the electrode and onto the skin to stimulate the problem area and provide relief.
The devices are designed with concealment in mind, and can easily be tucked away and hidden on the user’s body to provide relief during daily activities. Newer designs utilize a hand-held controller that can adjust the stimulation without the use of wires. Electrotherapy is often prescribed in addition to other treatment options and primarily used to help alleviate pain for individuals participating in rehabilitation plans like physical therapy.
If you are interested in learning more about electrotherapy or seeing if it could be the right pain management treatment for you, call us today at (256) 284-7179 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Carroll at the Alabama Chiropractic Spine and Joint Clinic.