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 one of the most advanced
forms of electrical pain relief available today. It is a patented high power form of TENS that offers many advantages
over common electrotherapy technologies like pre-existing TENS
devices and Spinal Cord Stimulation.
TSE is unique in that it is both a highly effective and totally sensation-less
form of electrotherapy. This site is dedicated to helping people understand
TSE and its numerous advantages over both pharmaceuticals and traditional
electrotherapy technologies.
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 pain 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 particularly 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 Australia and worldwide.
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.
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 Australia.
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 bodies natural
electrical signals. Micro-current is said to aid the healing process
and help reduce inflammation.
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