Electrotherapy
The beginnings of electrotherapy go back to the eighteenth century. Its precursor was prof. Luigi Galvani. Due to the fact that electrotherapy is such a mature method of physical therapy, it is well tested, which is confirmed by numerous scientific studies. This makes electrotherapy a very useful
healing tool.
What is electrotherapy?
Electrotherapy is a field of physical therapy involving the treatment of diseases of the neuromuscular system using currents with various waveforms, frequencies and intensities, as well as modulated in both amplitude and frequencies. It is used both in medicine and rehabilitation of patients, as well as complementing other forms of physical therapy. The aim of the treatments is to treat pain, increase tissue blood flow and stimulate them to accelerate regeneration. Electrotherapy also supports the absorption of swelling and exudates in the joints resulting from injuries and overloads. The range of possibilities offered by electrotherapy allows to achieve a wide range of therapeutic effects.
Therefore, high power lasers use a visible pilot beam, usually in red colour. A high power laser has a wide impact on the body’s processes. Its use enables the stimulation of DNA synthesis, an increase in the fibroblasts activity (among others, they are involved in the healing process, increase cartilage compressibility, produce collagen), and phagocytosis activation.
How does electrotherapy help patients?
The electric current used in physical therapy has an impact on the electrophysiological processes occurring in the body’s cells. The most desirable healing effects are: stimulation of nerves and muscles, acceleration of tissue regeneration, muscle relaxation, pain relief, treatment of inflammation and tissue regeneration. For this reason, it is used both in sports injuries and wounds, as well as in the treatment of diseases of the neuromuscular system (degenerative ailments, neuralgia, arthrosis or inflammation of the nerve plexuses).
Electrotherapy is also an inseparable element of rehabilitation of patients with physical disabilities.