Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow It WorksComplementary Medications UsedWhat It Feels LikeRisks
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How It Works
Complementary Medications Used
What It Feels Like
Risks
Iontophoresis is a type ofelectrical stimulation treatmentused to deliver medication through your skin to deeper tissues. Physical therapists occasionally useiontophoresisto penetrate the layers of skin in order to deliver medications to injured body parts.
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Different Medications Used with Iontophoresis
A number ofmedicationscan be used to accomplish different results with iontophoresis. These may include:
When your physical therapist decides to administer medication using iontophoresis, the therapist should explain to you the risks and benefits associated with the procedure. A therapist will then place two electrodes on your skin. One electrode will simply have saline on it, and the other will be the treatment electrode with the medication. The electrodes will be connected to an iontophoresis unit via a wire.
Your physical therapist will then turn on the iontophoresis unit and slowly increase the intensity of the electricity that is passing through the electrodes. This electricity helps to drive the medication in through your skin and to your tissues. Once the electricity is turned up, you may feel a slight tingling or stinging sensation under the electrodes.
Be sure to tell your physical therapist if you feel any discomfort or pain during the procedure. The therapist can make adjustments to the electricity to make it more comfortable for you.
Iontophoresis is a form of electrical stimulation, and not every person is a suitable candidate to receive such a treatment. If you have a permanent pacemaker in your heart, you should not use electrical stimulation.It may have an adverse reaction with your pacemaker and may place you at risk for death should a cardiac event occur while using the electrical stimulation.
Risks of iontophoresis include:
Summary
When dealing with various injuries, your physical therapist may use iontophoresis to help supplement your active rehab program. This method of delivering medication may help speed your recovery. By understanding iontophoresis and how it is used, you can make an informed decision about your care.
6 Sources
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Roustit M, Blaise S, Cracowski J-L.Trials and tribulations of skin iontophoresis in therapeutics.Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2014;77(1):63-71. doi:10.1111/bcp.12128
Mina R, Melson P, Powell S, et al.Effectiveness of dexamethasone iontophoresis for temporomandibular joint involvement in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.Arthritis Care Res. 2011;63(11):1511–1516. doi:10.1002/acr.20600
Cuadros MEF.Acetic acid iontophoresis and ultrasound effectiveness on calcifying tendonitis of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee and ankle: a non-randomized multicenter control trial.Orthop Rheumatol Open Access J. 2016;3(3). doi:10.19080/OROAJ.2016.03.555611
Krueger E, Claudino Junior JL, Scheeren EM, Neves EB, Mulinari E, Nohama P.Iontophoresis: principles and applications.Fisioter mov. 2014;27(3):469-481. doi:10.1590/0103-5150.027.003.AR02
MedlinePlus.Iontophoresis.
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