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Electrotherapy made simple : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAPU5iEfFVY | Electrotherapy made simple : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAPU5iEfFVY | ||
==What is Electrotherapy ?== | |||
"Electrotherapy is the use of electrical energy as a medical treatment. When you feel nerve pain, an electrical signal is sent from a damaged nerve to your brain. These charges seem to interrupt or block the pain signals, reducing the pain you feel." | "Electrotherapy is the use of electrical energy as a medical treatment. When you feel nerve pain, an electrical signal is sent from a damaged nerve to your brain. These charges seem to interrupt or block the pain signals, reducing the pain you feel." [[wikipedia:Electrotherapy]] | ||
In the article "All About Electrotherapy and Pain Relief" (2017), John P. Revord writes "Electrotherapy units usually consist of a battery-powered device connected by wires to adhesive electrode pads which are placed on the skin. [...] Once the electrodes are attached and the unit is turned on, a mild electric current is sent to the skin via the electrode. A number of newer electrotherapy devices bypass the wires, combining electrodes and battery power into a single unit that can be worn inconspicuously on the back, arm, leg, or elsewhere during work or other daily activities. A hand-held controller is used to adjust the level of stimulation." (https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/pain-management/all-about-electrotherapy-and-pain-relief) | In the article "All About Electrotherapy and Pain Relief" (2017), John P. Revord writes "Electrotherapy units usually consist of a battery-powered device connected by wires to adhesive electrode pads which are placed on the skin. [...] Once the electrodes are attached and the unit is turned on, a mild electric current is sent to the skin via the electrode. A number of newer electrotherapy devices bypass the wires, combining electrodes and battery power into a single unit that can be worn inconspicuously on the back, arm, leg, or elsewhere during work or other daily activities. A hand-held controller is used to adjust the level of stimulation." (https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/pain-management/all-about-electrotherapy-and-pain-relief) | ||
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The other way that T.E.N.S. works to relieve pain is by stimulating the release of natural chemicals in the body which the body usually releases when there is injury or stress. The chemical substances released are known as endorphins and enkephalins. The T.E.N.S. unit can be adjusted to selectively stimulate the release of either enkephalins or endorphins. The small electrical signal which is developed by the T.E.N.S. device is delivered to the body by specialized pads called electrodes." (https://electrotherapist.blogspot.com/2008/07/uses-of-electrotherapy.html) | The other way that T.E.N.S. works to relieve pain is by stimulating the release of natural chemicals in the body which the body usually releases when there is injury or stress. The chemical substances released are known as endorphins and enkephalins. The T.E.N.S. unit can be adjusted to selectively stimulate the release of either enkephalins or endorphins. The small electrical signal which is developed by the T.E.N.S. device is delivered to the body by specialized pads called electrodes." (https://electrotherapist.blogspot.com/2008/07/uses-of-electrotherapy.html) | ||
==Types of Electrotherapy== | |||
In the Article "How Electrotherapy Works to Ease Pain" (2017), John P. Revord writes "All electrotherapy devices have certain similarities, such as using battery power to apply current to electrodes. The therapies vary in frequencies, waveforms, and effects, however. These are some of the most commonly used kinds of electrotherapy: | In the Article "How Electrotherapy Works to Ease Pain" (2017), John P. Revord writes "All electrotherapy devices have certain similarities, such as using battery power to apply current to electrodes. The therapies vary in frequencies, waveforms, and effects, however. These are some of the most commonly used kinds of electrotherapy: | ||
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Galvanic stimulation (GS)" | Galvanic stimulation (GS)" | ||
==Benefits of Electrotherapy== | |||
In the Article "All About Electrotherapy and Pain Relief" (https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/pain-management/all-about-electrotherapy-and-pain-relief), John P. Revord writes "Electrotherapy has been used to address chronic pain and chronic fatigue in general, as well as: | In the Article "All About Electrotherapy and Pain Relief" (https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/pain-management/all-about-electrotherapy-and-pain-relief), John P. Revord writes "Electrotherapy has been used to address chronic pain and chronic fatigue in general, as well as: | ||
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* Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)" | * Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)" | ||
==Side Effects of Electrotherapy== | |||
Mike Williams writes in 2016 (http://blog.ireliev.com/tens-unit-side-effects) : | Mike Williams writes in 2016 (http://blog.ireliev.com/tens-unit-side-effects) : | ||
*Burn Marks | *Burn Marks | ||
*Damage to Open Wounds | *Damage to Open Wounds | ||
*If TENS unit pads are placed on or too close to open wounds or damaged skin, the wound can become further irritated. The wound may also take longer to heal. Because of this, avoid placing electrode pads on or near damaged skin | *If TENS unit pads are placed on or too close to open wounds or damaged skin, the wound can become further irritated. The wound may also take longer to heal. Because of this, avoid placing electrode pads on or near damaged skin | ||
*Potential fetal harm | *Potential fetal harm | ||
*Muscle Pain and soreness | *Muscle Pain and soreness | ||
*Loss of muscular control | *Loss of muscular control | ||
*Unpleasant electric shocks to the Skin | *Unpleasant electric shocks to the Skin | ||
==THREE basic modes of relieving pain with T.E.N.S.== | |||
(https://electrotherapist.blogspot.com/2008/07/history-of-electrotherapy.html) | |||
CONTINUOUS (Constant or Normal) | ===CONTINUOUS (Constant or Normal)=== | ||
"The standard T.E.N.S. treatment (also known as "conventional" or "high-frequency") is performed when the Pulse Rate is set to 60-100 pulses per second or more (in this method, rate, width (usually 200mcsec - and intensity settings are fully adjustable). It is thought that in this mode, pain relief is achieved through the gate control theory. The sensation produced with this setting can be described as a steady "buzzing" or "tingling" feeling between the electrodes. At this frequency the unit produces an electrical signal that is stronger than the pain signal that the body produces. Because the signal is perceived as stronger, it effectively blocks the pain signal from traveling along nerves to the brain. Most patients find that high-frequency treatments produce the quickest relief from pain, as well as providing hours of relief after the treatment if it is long enough." | "The standard T.E.N.S. treatment (also known as "conventional" or "high-frequency") is performed when the Pulse Rate is set to 60-100 pulses per second or more (in this method, rate, width (usually 200mcsec - and intensity settings are fully adjustable). It is thought that in this mode, pain relief is achieved through the gate control theory. The sensation produced with this setting can be described as a steady "buzzing" or "tingling" feeling between the electrodes. At this frequency the unit produces an electrical signal that is stronger than the pain signal that the body produces. Because the signal is perceived as stronger, it effectively blocks the pain signal from traveling along nerves to the brain. Most patients find that high-frequency treatments produce the quickest relief from pain, as well as providing hours of relief after the treatment if it is long enough." | ||
BURST | ===BURST=== | ||
"A "low-frequency" or "burst" type treatment is produced when the Pulse Rate setting on the T.E.N.S. unit is below 10 pulses per second ie. 2Hz (set manually) or at "burst" mode (automatic) (in this mode, width (often set at 200mcsec) and intensity settings are fully adjustable, however, the rate setting is not adjustable). Low-frequency treatments are done at an intensity that produces visible muscle twitching. The sensation at these settings is described as a "tapping" or "pulsating" feeling. The body reacts to this type of stimulation by releasing "endorphins" (pain-killing chemicals produced naturally in the body). These endorphins act as a chemical nerve block, effectively reducing pain by interrupting the flow of pain signals along the nerves. Patients find that this type of treatment sometimes takes longer to be effective (30 to 45 minutes), but once pain relief is experienced, it lasts for a longer period of time." | "A "low-frequency" or "burst" type treatment is produced when the Pulse Rate setting on the T.E.N.S. unit is below 10 pulses per second ie. 2Hz (set manually) or at "burst" mode (automatic) (in this mode, width (often set at 200mcsec) and intensity settings are fully adjustable, however, the rate setting is not adjustable). Low-frequency treatments are done at an intensity that produces visible muscle twitching. The sensation at these settings is described as a "tapping" or "pulsating" feeling. The body reacts to this type of stimulation by releasing "endorphins" (pain-killing chemicals produced naturally in the body). These endorphins act as a chemical nerve block, effectively reducing pain by interrupting the flow of pain signals along the nerves. Patients find that this type of treatment sometimes takes longer to be effective (30 to 45 minutes), but once pain relief is experienced, it lasts for a longer period of time." | ||
MODULATED | ===MODULATED=== | ||
"Pulse width is automatically varied in a cyclic pattern at intervals of 6 seconds. The modulation range of pulse width varies from the control setting value to 40% less than that value. Rate, width and intensity are fully adjustable. Modulation of the T.E.N.S. output parameters (width, rate and amplitude) may prevent the nervous system from accommodating to the continuous mode of T.E.N.S., thus improving duration of pain relief." | "Pulse width is automatically varied in a cyclic pattern at intervals of 6 seconds. The modulation range of pulse width varies from the control setting value to 40% less than that value. Rate, width and intensity are fully adjustable. Modulation of the T.E.N.S. output parameters (width, rate and amplitude) may prevent the nervous system from accommodating to the continuous mode of T.E.N.S., thus improving duration of pain relief." | ||
==Waveform== | |||
Sarah Zuboff writes in 2016 (https://www.prohealthcareproducts.com/blog/benefits-of-electrotherapy-in-physical-therapy/) : | Sarah Zuboff writes in 2016 (https://www.prohealthcareproducts.com/blog/benefits-of-electrotherapy-in-physical-therapy/) : | ||
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"Microcurrent is also used for wound healing, utilizing micro-size, pulsing current. Because of its low intensity, microcurrent is the most tolerated waveform in electrotherapy." | "Microcurrent is also used for wound healing, utilizing micro-size, pulsing current. Because of its low intensity, microcurrent is the most tolerated waveform in electrotherapy." | ||
==Measure== | |||
Intensity: A dial allows the user to adjust the intensity of the electrical stimulation. | Intensity: A dial allows the user to adjust the intensity of the electrical stimulation. | ||
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Duration: The duration is the number of microseconds that the current enters the skin for during each pulse. | Duration: The duration is the number of microseconds that the current enters the skin for during each pulse. | ||
==Electrotherapy with Arduino== | |||
Schema : | Schema : | ||