Electrical Stimulation

What is electrical stimulation?

Electrical stimulation is a noninvasive treatment modality that delivers electrical pulses through tiny electrodes on the skin. It can have beneficial effects including rapid pain relief and muscle strengthening. 

This treatment can help with both muscle and nerve-related issues, so it’s often one aspect of a complete physical therapy program at Back To You Osteopractic Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation. Your expert providers can tailor a treatment regimen based on your particular needs.

What are the benefits of electrical stimulation?

Electrical stimulation works in several different ways to produce positive effects, including: 

Pain signal disruption

Interrupting the pain signals going to the brain prevents you from perceiving pain and also provides a heightened sense of relaxation. 

Improving circulation

Electrical stimulation improves the circulation within the area of tissue damage or injury. Improved blood flow around an injury gives you the oxygen and nutrients needed for tissue healing and additional pain relief.

Muscle strengthening

Electrical stimulation brings on contractions in weakened muscles, which then strengthens them. It can reactivate dormant muscles, essentially educating those muscles on how to contract so they can function normally again. 

You may experience all of these benefits with electrical stimulation, depending on your condition and your reason for the treatment. 

What conditions does electrical stimulation treat?

Electrical stimulation treats a broad range of problems, including: 

• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Muscle atrophy after injury or surgery
• Stroke recovery needs
• Tendonitis
• Neuropathy
• Osteoarthritis
• Fibromyalgia

Electrical stimulation may also be a good treatment option for other types of chronic pain and muscle-related issues. 

How does electrical stimulation work?

During an electrical stimulation session, you’ll have electrode patches on your skin, grouped around the area of pain or injury. You’ll feel a mild tingling as treatment begins, which gradually increases. 

Electrical stimulation may feel a little strange, but it’s not painful. If you’re having it for pain-related reasons, you might experience relaxation and pain relief very quickly, in fact. The average treatment time is around 10-20 minutes. 

If you’re ready to take charge of your pain and feel better fast, electrical stimulation at Back To You Osteopractic Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation can help. Book your appointment by phone or use the provided scheduling link to arrange a consultation with the expert osteopractors now.