Overview: Everything You Need to Know
Electrotherapy is a group of physiotherapy treatments that use safe, controlled electrical currents to stimulate nerves or muscles for therapeutic benefit. It has been used in medical rehabilitation for decades and remains a valuable tool when applied correctly and combined with hands-on treatment and exercise.
In modern physiotherapy practices across Pretoria, the Moot, and Mayville, electrotherapy is commonly used to reduce pain, improve muscle activation, and support recovery after injury or surgery.
Rather than being a “passive fix,” electrotherapy is best seen as a supportive modality — helping calm symptoms or improve muscle function so that active rehabilitation can be more effective.
How Electrotherapy Works
Small adhesive electrodes are placed on the skin over the area being treated. These electrodes deliver low-level electrical impulses that interact with either:
- Sensory nerves: To influence and block pain signals.
- Motor nerves: To activate and re-educate muscle contractions.
The sensation varies depending on the type used — from a light tingling to rhythmic muscle contractions — and is always adjusted to remain comfortable and safe.
The Three Main Types of Electrotherapy
1. TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)
What it does: Primarily targets pain relief.
How it works: Stimulates sensory nerves to help block or reduce pain signals travelling to the brain. It also encourages the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals (endorphins).
Commonly used for: Acute or chronic pain, neck, back, shoulder, or joint pain, and pain flare-ups during rehabilitation.
2. EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation)
What it does: Focuses on muscle activation and strengthening.
How it works: Stimulates motor nerves to cause controlled muscle contractions. This helps “re-educate” muscles that are inhibited due to pain, swelling, or surgery.
Commonly used for: Post-operative rehabilitation, muscle weakness after injury, and difficulty activating specific muscles (e.g. thigh muscles after knee surgery).
3. Interferential Therapy (IFC)
What it does: Used mainly for pain reduction and swelling control, especially in deeper tissues.
How it works: Uses two medium-frequency currents that cross each other, creating a deeper, more comfortable stimulation compared to traditional low-frequency currents.
Commonly used for: Lower back pain, hip or pelvic pain, and more diffuse or deeper pain patterns.
Evidence & Research Support
- Pain Research and Management: Systematic reviews report that TENS can provide short-term pain relief for various musculoskeletal conditions when appropriately dosed.
- Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT): Supports the use of EMS for improving muscle strength and activation, particularly after knee surgery.
- Clinical Rehabilitation: Studies suggest Interferential Therapy may help reduce pain and improve function in patients with chronic low back pain when combined with active rehabilitation.
Benefits of Electrotherapy
- Pain reduction: Helps calm irritated nerves and reduce pain signals.
- Improved muscle activation: Assists muscles that are “switched off” after injury.
- Enhanced comfort: Allows for earlier and more effective movement during rehab.
- Non-invasive: No needles or medication required.
- Customisable: Intensity is adjusted to each individual patient's tolerance.
Conditions & Clinical Uses
Electrotherapy may be helpful for:
- Acute and chronic neck or back pain
- Post-operative rehabilitation (e.g. knee or shoulder surgery)
- Muscle inhibition or weakness
- Joint pain and stiffness
- Sports and overuse injuries
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Most patients describe a tingling or gentle pulsing sensation. The intensity is always adjusted to remain comfortable.
Not everyone does. It is used when it can meaningfully support pain relief or muscle activation alongside hands-on treatment and exercise.
Yes, when applied by a trained physiotherapist. Certain medical conditions may require caution, which will be assessed beforehand.
This depends on your condition and goals. Electrotherapy is usually used short-term as part of a broader physiotherapy plan.
Yes. Electrotherapy, including TENS, EMS, and Interferential Therapy, is offered as part of comprehensive physiotherapy care at our Mayville location.
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