What is Electrotherapy ? Electrotherapy is
the use of electrical energy in the treatment of impairments of health
and a conditions
of abnormal functioning.[1]
In medicine,
the term electrotherapy can apply to a variety of treatments, including
the use of electrical devices such as deep brain stimulators for neurological
disease. The term has also been applied specifically to the use of electrical
current to speed wound healing. Additionally, the term
"electrotherapy" has also been applied to a range of alternative medical devices and treatments. Common
characteristics of electrotherapy stimulation TENS, IFC, and GS all apply
electrical stimulation to nerves and muscles via adhesive pads placed on the
skin. These devices are powered by batteries, and some units have an adapter
that allows powering from an outlet. Side effects are rare, but include allergic skin irritation under the adhesive pads and transient pain from the electrical charge. Placing the pads over the heart or over pacemaker leads could conceivably cause cardiac arrhythmia; placing them over the throat could conceivably cause low blood pressure; and placing them over a pregnant uterus could conceivably cause fetal damage. Because of these risks, electrical stimulation over these areas should be avoided. Electrical stimulation should also not be applied over malignancies or infected areas. |
