Side Effects of Electrotherapy and the place of Pads

Cautions

This machine is basically an electrotherapy pain relief device, and you should use it sparingly. Ask your doctor how many times you should use the machine, for some it will be daily and others weekly. Don't overuse your machine, you should change how often you use it based on your injury, your pain levels, and other factors.

Always make sure your machine has full batteries before activating it. Turn both knobs down all the way before turning it on and make sure to clean your skin first with rubbing alcohol. Make sure your skin is dry and apply gel to both electrodes. You should use a sticky pad to hold the electrodes in place, do not hold them with your hands or duct tape.

The Place of Pads

Do not place pads in a way that directs the current through the chest wall (i.e. by placing one electrode on the back and the other opposite this on the front of the chest)

Do not place pads on the front of your neck.

This risks stimulating the carotid sinus, which could cause cardiac problems (usually hypotension)

Do not apply pads over the eyes

Do not place pads across the temples on the head

Do not place pads over incisions or broken skin, sores and areas of eczema and psoriasis

Do not use with very high intensity if you find that your skin feels like it burns (dermal reaction due to electrical irritation)

Side Effects and solutions (sometimes)

Side Effect : Skin Irritation or Burning What to do : Always clean you skin before applying the machine, ensure that pads are sticky enough, change the position of pads

Side Effect : Increased pain, muscle twitching or muscle soreness What to do: Lower the intensity level

Side Effect : Skin Allergy What to do : Change the conductive gel