Types of Electrotherapy
Today there are many types of electrotherapy devices available covering
a diverse range of applications. They range from small handheld, battery
powered devices to large clinical machines costing £1000's.
Click the links below for a brief summary of the following popular
electrotherapy technologies:
Transcutaneous Spinal Electroanalgesia (TSE)
TSE was developed in the early 1990's and is probably the most advanced
and effective transcutaneously delivered electrical pain relief technology
available today. It is a patented high power form of electrotherapy that
offers a number of advantages over common electrotherapy technologies such
as TENS and Spinal
Cord Stimulation. This site is dedicated to helping people understand
TSE and its numerous advantages over both pharmaceuticals and traditional
electrotherapy technologies.
TSE is unique in that it can be safely used at home, with just two standardised
electrode placements that cover multiple pains at all over the body. It is highly
effective for musculoskeletal and neurogenic (nerve) pains and very comfortable
in use as the level of sensation is lower than traditional electrotherapy.
TSE is only available in Acticare devices. Please see About
Acticare TSE for more information...
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
TENS in its broadest form can be used to refer to any form of nerve
stimulation delivered through the skin, including clinical grade devices such as
Acticare TSE and interferential devices, such as Acticare IC. However, the term is
most commonly used to describe relatively low power pocket sized devices provided
by pain clinics and over the counter in chemists. Perhaps the most well-known
electrotherapy technology, TENS is widely used to treat painful conditions.
Pain relief with TENS is thought to be achieved via a "gate control"
mechanism that results from the stimulation of peripheral nerves, as
put forward in Pat Wall's landmark publication of 1967. Later research has
shown that TENS when delivered at high intensity can cause long term
changes in the central nervous system that mediate the transmission of
pain signals.
TENS is currently popular in the UK and worldwide, but to deliver effective
relief against chronic pains a high level of stimulation power is required,
together with associated strong tingling sensation. These power levels are
often beyond the capability of cheaper high street TENS machines.
Success is highly dependant on correct electrode placement, which
can be problematic as pains are often refferred from source to other p
arts of the body and it is important that the source of the pain is stimulated.
Interferential Current Therapy (IC)
Interferential Current therapy is widely used by physiotherapists a
to reduce swelling and inflammation. It has also been shown to help
suffers of asthma and has beneficial effects on backpain and osteoarthritis.
Visit our Medical Professional
site for more information on Interferential Current therapy and to learn
more about Acticare IC - our interferential current therapy product.
Radio-Frequency Stimulation (RF)
When thermal levels of radio frequency are applied via needles to peripheral nerve
tissues innervating inflamed regions, neuroablation (destruction of neuronal tissues) occurs
around the needle tip. This has been widely used for the treatment of intractable
chronic pain. In recent years however, pulsed radio frequency at non-thermal levels
has also been shown to be effective. Even when delivered transcutaneously, duration of
effect up to four weeks after treatment has been observed (Balogh 2004).
This is consistent with studies of patients using high frequency TSE, where 50% report
that in the long term they can maintain their pain relief with treatments every few days.
In essence, high frequency TSE and pulsed radio frequency are very similar. In common with
Pulsed RF, high-frequency short-pulse TSE may be particularly suitable for treatment of
neurogenic pains.
The latest versions of Acticare TSE now include two standard pulsed radio-freqeuncy modes, intended for
use directly over nerves innervating a painful region using the standard transcutaneous
electrode pads.
Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)
SCS works by directly stimulating the spinal cord, rather than peripheral
nerves near the site of pain, in order to suppress pain in the central
nervous system. SCS is effective but requires the surgical implantation
of both electrodes and the stimulator unit in the patient. This is both
a very expensive procedure, and one that carries the risks associated
with surgery. Despite this SCS is widely used in the USA, and rarely
used in the UK.
Electro-Acupuncture (EA) and Percutaneous Electrical
Nerve Stimulation (PENS)
Electro-acupuncture and percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS)
are the same in both principal and practice. They combine acupuncture
with electrical stimulation to achieve pain relief. Unlike TENS, electrical
stimulation is achieved via needles inserted just into the body rather
than via electrodes stuck to the skin. Even so, the electrical stimulation
used is similar to TENS but should not be confused with "Acupunture-Like"
TENS (AL-TENS) which is a form of TENS applied transcutaneously that uses the
low frequencies often employed by electro-acupuncture devices.
Pulsed Short Wave Diathermy (PSWD)
Pulsed Shortwave Diathermy treatments involve the exposure of parts
of the body to high-frequency pulsed electromagnetic radiation. PSWD
is commonly used by physiotherapists to help absorption of heamatomas
and reduce inflammation.
Micro-Current Therapy
Micro-current therapy employs very low-level "direct" (DC)
electrical currents which are similar in strength to the body's natural
electrical signals. Micro-current is said to aid the healing process
and help reduce inflammation.
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