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Electrotherapy

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Laser Therapy

What is Laser therapy?

therapy

Laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Laser therapy makes use of a single wavelength of a single colour of light that travels in a single direction. This light beam is thus concentrated in a defined body area, producing various positive physiological adaptations in the targeted tissue.

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is most commonly used in physiotherapy practice. LLLT does not produce heat and is thus also called “cold laser” therapy. The light energy from the laser is absorbed by the cells in the body. Therefore, this is used as fuel for the cells.

LLLT is an effective, non-invasive treatment procedure that enhances the function of bodily cells. Accelerates healing processes, acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, and results in pain relief. This stimulates the cells to perform their function as they are intended to do, just a bit faster.

Common conditions treated

Common conditions treated with laser therapy include skin problems (wounds and ulcers). Painful inflammatory conditions (arthritis, ankle, and other joint sprains, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, frozen shoulder or shoulder impingement syndromes, tendonitis/tendinosis), as well as nerve pain.

Ultrasound therapy

Ultrasound actually produces mechanical energy, causing vibration at different frequencies, which is in fact, sound energy. Humans are unable to hear sound in the ultrasound range.

When the body tissues and fluids are exposed to ultrasound, they oscillate. This resulting in the generation of heat, and the formation of tiny gas bubbles. The thermal effect that ultrasound has on the targeted tissue, by raising its temperature, results in increased blood flow. This promotes the healing process of the tissue. The heating effect helps to manage muscular pain and chronic inflammatory states.

Ultrasound also has non-thermal effects, where tiny gas bubbles form within tissues, causing mechanical stimulation and alteration of cells. This also enhances healing within the tissue in the acute phase of healing. Assists with the repair and remodelling of new tissue later in the healing process.

Ultrasounds are safe, non-invasive technique that we use to treat multiple conditions including acute wounds or soft tissue injuries, muscle pain, joint pain, and less commonly fracture healing. The frequency, intensity, and duration of ultrasound application will depend on the targeted tissue and aim of treatment. A conduction medium such as gel is used to transmit the ultrasound into the body tissues. The gel is applied to the skin and a handheld probe is used to apply the ultrasound.

Interferential therapy

What is Interferential therapy?

Interferential therapy (IFT) is similar to Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation (TENS) in that it involves the application of electrical current to body tissues. The difference is that IFT makes use of alternating medium frequency currents instead of low-frequency currents as used in TENS. The medium frequency currents are more comfortable compared to low-frequency currents because the skin has a lower impedance, i.e. resistance to the penetration of electrical currents, to it.

In IFT, two medium frequency currents are passed through body tissues at the same time. When these two currents meet and intersect, they “interfere” with one another to have a similar effect as that of low-frequency stimulation. Because this interference occurs within the tissues, it lessens the amount of discomfort associated with the direct application of low-frequency therapies such as TENS.

What conditions are treated with Interferential therapy?

IFT can be used to treat acute and chronic pain conditions such as lower back pain and sciatica, to reduce muscle spasms, reduce swelling after ligament sprains or muscle injury, and to stimulate muscles where there is weakness. It is also believed that IFT has a role in encouraging tissue healing and repair as it increases local blood flow to the tissues.

IFT is applied using pad electrodes with sponge covers. The sponge covers are wet to act as a conductor of the currents. IFT will not be used near your eyes, when you have heart problems, a pacemaker, or epilepsy, are pregnant, have an active infection, or have skin problems.

Traction

What is spinal traction?

A spinal Traction is a machine that uses mechanical forces to stretch and mobilise the spine. Spinal traction is a non-surgical treatment intervention that relieves pain by stretching the spinal muscles and creating space between the intervertebral foramen to relieve nerve root impingement.

Conditions that might respond to traction:

  • slipped discs
  • bone spurs
  • degenerative disc disease
  • facet disease
  • sciatica
  • foramina stenosis
  • pinched nerves

Spinal traction is not indicated for everybody and the physiotherapist will determine if this type of treatment will benefit you or not.