Different types ofelectrical stimulation(e-stim) can be used inphysical therapy. These therapeutic treatments can decrease pain and inflammation, improve circulation,and help your muscles contract properly.The various types include:Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)Russian stimulationNeuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)Inferential current (IFC) electrical stimulationHigh voltage electrical stimulationIontophoresisElectrical stimulation often is used to augment your physical therapy program after an injury or illness. It should not be the only treatment you receive when attending physical therapy.This article lists the types of electrical stimulation to help you understand how it’s commonly used in physical therapy. Be sure to ask your physical therapist about your specific needs and gains that are expected when you use electrical stimulation in the physical therapy clinic.
Different types ofelectrical stimulation(e-stim) can be used inphysical therapy. These therapeutic treatments can decrease pain and inflammation, improve circulation,and help your muscles contract properly.
The various types include:
Electrical stimulation often is used to augment your physical therapy program after an injury or illness. It should not be the only treatment you receive when attending physical therapy.
This article lists the types of electrical stimulation to help you understand how it’s commonly used in physical therapy. Be sure to ask your physical therapist about your specific needs and gains that are expected when you use electrical stimulation in the physical therapy clinic.
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TENS
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How TENS Is Used in Physical Therapy
2Russian StimulationRussian stimulation is a form of high-frequency electrical wave stimulation that uses electricity to contract muscle tissue. After injury or surgery, you may be experiencingmuscle weakness. Often, muscles are inhibited after an injury and are unable to generate a forceful contraction. Russian stimulation is used to help improve the contraction of your muscles.
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Russian StimulationRussian stimulation is a form of high-frequency electrical wave stimulation that uses electricity to contract muscle tissue. After injury or surgery, you may be experiencingmuscle weakness. Often, muscles are inhibited after an injury and are unable to generate a forceful contraction. Russian stimulation is used to help improve the contraction of your muscles.
Russian Stimulation
Russian stimulation is a form of high-frequency electrical wave stimulation that uses electricity to contract muscle tissue. After injury or surgery, you may be experiencingmuscle weakness. Often, muscles are inhibited after an injury and are unable to generate a forceful contraction. Russian stimulation is used to help improve the contraction of your muscles.
3Neuromuscular Electrical StimulationNeuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is used much like Russian stimulation. Your physical therapist may use NMES to help your muscles contract properly after injury or surgery.This form of muscular re-education can be useful in helping you return to normal function quickly after an injury or surgery.NMES can also be used to help you perform functional tasks. Small switches in the unit can be applied to your body that control when the stimulation is on or off. When performing a task, like walking, the switch may turn the stimulation on when your leg muscles are supposed to contract, and then turn it off when they are meant to rest.Physical Therapy Exercises for Drop Foot
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Neuromuscular Electrical StimulationNeuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is used much like Russian stimulation. Your physical therapist may use NMES to help your muscles contract properly after injury or surgery.This form of muscular re-education can be useful in helping you return to normal function quickly after an injury or surgery.NMES can also be used to help you perform functional tasks. Small switches in the unit can be applied to your body that control when the stimulation is on or off. When performing a task, like walking, the switch may turn the stimulation on when your leg muscles are supposed to contract, and then turn it off when they are meant to rest.Physical Therapy Exercises for Drop Foot
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is used much like Russian stimulation. Your physical therapist may use NMES to help your muscles contract properly after injury or surgery.This form of muscular re-education can be useful in helping you return to normal function quickly after an injury or surgery.
NMES can also be used to help you perform functional tasks. Small switches in the unit can be applied to your body that control when the stimulation is on or off. When performing a task, like walking, the switch may turn the stimulation on when your leg muscles are supposed to contract, and then turn it off when they are meant to rest.
Physical Therapy Exercises for Drop Foot
4Interferential Current (IFC)Inferential current (IFC) electrical stimulation is a type of electrical stimulation that your physical therapist may use to help decrease your pain and improve circulation to injured tissues.The IFC works much like TENS, but the current can be easily moved and varied to target your most painful area of injury.
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Interferential Current (IFC)Inferential current (IFC) electrical stimulation is a type of electrical stimulation that your physical therapist may use to help decrease your pain and improve circulation to injured tissues.The IFC works much like TENS, but the current can be easily moved and varied to target your most painful area of injury.
Interferential Current (IFC)
Inferential current (IFC) electrical stimulation is a type of electrical stimulation that your physical therapist may use to help decrease your pain and improve circulation to injured tissues.The IFC works much like TENS, but the current can be easily moved and varied to target your most painful area of injury.
5High Voltage StimulationHigh voltage electrical stimulation is a type of electrical stimulation that your physical therapist may use to help decrease your pain or improve circulation. It is also occasionally used to help with wound healing. It is thought that the high voltage stimulation helps to change the type of cells near your wound, and this can speed healing.
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High Voltage StimulationHigh voltage electrical stimulation is a type of electrical stimulation that your physical therapist may use to help decrease your pain or improve circulation. It is also occasionally used to help with wound healing. It is thought that the high voltage stimulation helps to change the type of cells near your wound, and this can speed healing.
High Voltage Stimulation
High voltage electrical stimulation is a type of electrical stimulation that your physical therapist may use to help decrease your pain or improve circulation. It is also occasionally used to help with wound healing. It is thought that the high voltage stimulation helps to change the type of cells near your wound, and this can speed healing.
6IontophoresisIontophoresisis a type of electrical stimulation used to administer medication into your body through your skin. The medication, such as dexamethasone, can be used to help decrease inflammation, decrease localized swelling, or decrease muscle spasm.Some medication used in iontophoresis can also help to decrease calcium deposits and can be used to help managescar tissue.Iontophoresis in Physical TherapySummaryElectrical stimulation therapy can be a useful tool to augment your rehab program. Different types of e-stim can be used to help your muscles contract properly after injury or surgery, reduce pain, improve circulation, or administer certain medications through the skin.If your PT recommends you use electrical stimulation in your therapy program, be sure to ask questions and understand what the goal of the stim use is. And always make sure you have an active, self-care exercise program in place to take control of your rehab program.
6
IontophoresisIontophoresisis a type of electrical stimulation used to administer medication into your body through your skin. The medication, such as dexamethasone, can be used to help decrease inflammation, decrease localized swelling, or decrease muscle spasm.Some medication used in iontophoresis can also help to decrease calcium deposits and can be used to help managescar tissue.Iontophoresis in Physical TherapySummaryElectrical stimulation therapy can be a useful tool to augment your rehab program. Different types of e-stim can be used to help your muscles contract properly after injury or surgery, reduce pain, improve circulation, or administer certain medications through the skin.If your PT recommends you use electrical stimulation in your therapy program, be sure to ask questions and understand what the goal of the stim use is. And always make sure you have an active, self-care exercise program in place to take control of your rehab program.
Iontophoresis
Iontophoresisis a type of electrical stimulation used to administer medication into your body through your skin. The medication, such as dexamethasone, can be used to help decrease inflammation, decrease localized swelling, or decrease muscle spasm.Some medication used in iontophoresis can also help to decrease calcium deposits and can be used to help managescar tissue.
Iontophoresis in Physical Therapy
Summary
Electrical stimulation therapy can be a useful tool to augment your rehab program. Different types of e-stim can be used to help your muscles contract properly after injury or surgery, reduce pain, improve circulation, or administer certain medications through the skin.
If your PT recommends you use electrical stimulation in your therapy program, be sure to ask questions and understand what the goal of the stim use is. And always make sure you have an active, self-care exercise program in place to take control of your rehab program.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Jin HK, Hwang TY, Cho SH.Effect of electrical stimulation on blood flow velocity and vessel size.Open Med (Wars). 2017;12:5-11. doi:10.1515/med-2017-0002Vance CG, Dailey DL, Rakel BA, Sluka KA.Using TENS for pain control: the state of the evidence.Pain Manag. 2014;4(3):197-209. doi:10.2217/pmt.14.13Wang TJ, Sung K, Wilburn M, Allbright J.Russian stimulation/functional electrical stimulation in the treatment of foot drop resulting from lumbar radiculopathy: a case series.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2019;16(5-6):46-49.Hauger AV, Reiman MP, Bjordal JM, Sheets C, Ledbetter L, Goode AP.Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is effective in strengthening the quadriceps muscle after anterior cruciate ligament surgery.Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2018;26(2):399-410. doi:10.1007/s00167-017-4669-5Rampazo ÉP, Liebano RE.Analgesic effects of interferential current therapy: a narrative review.Medicina. 2022;58(1):141. doi:10.3390/medicina58010141Brown CD, Lauber CA, Cappaert T.The effect of dexamethasone iontophoresis on decreasing pain and improving function in patients with musculoskeletal conditions.J Sport Rehabil. 2015;24(3):327-31. doi:10.1123/jsr.2014-0172Additional ReadingPrentice, W. (1998). Therapeutic modalities for allied health professionals. New York: McGraw-Hill.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Jin HK, Hwang TY, Cho SH.Effect of electrical stimulation on blood flow velocity and vessel size.Open Med (Wars). 2017;12:5-11. doi:10.1515/med-2017-0002Vance CG, Dailey DL, Rakel BA, Sluka KA.Using TENS for pain control: the state of the evidence.Pain Manag. 2014;4(3):197-209. doi:10.2217/pmt.14.13Wang TJ, Sung K, Wilburn M, Allbright J.Russian stimulation/functional electrical stimulation in the treatment of foot drop resulting from lumbar radiculopathy: a case series.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2019;16(5-6):46-49.Hauger AV, Reiman MP, Bjordal JM, Sheets C, Ledbetter L, Goode AP.Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is effective in strengthening the quadriceps muscle after anterior cruciate ligament surgery.Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2018;26(2):399-410. doi:10.1007/s00167-017-4669-5Rampazo ÉP, Liebano RE.Analgesic effects of interferential current therapy: a narrative review.Medicina. 2022;58(1):141. doi:10.3390/medicina58010141Brown CD, Lauber CA, Cappaert T.The effect of dexamethasone iontophoresis on decreasing pain and improving function in patients with musculoskeletal conditions.J Sport Rehabil. 2015;24(3):327-31. doi:10.1123/jsr.2014-0172Additional ReadingPrentice, W. (1998). Therapeutic modalities for allied health professionals. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Jin HK, Hwang TY, Cho SH.Effect of electrical stimulation on blood flow velocity and vessel size.Open Med (Wars). 2017;12:5-11. doi:10.1515/med-2017-0002Vance CG, Dailey DL, Rakel BA, Sluka KA.Using TENS for pain control: the state of the evidence.Pain Manag. 2014;4(3):197-209. doi:10.2217/pmt.14.13Wang TJ, Sung K, Wilburn M, Allbright J.Russian stimulation/functional electrical stimulation in the treatment of foot drop resulting from lumbar radiculopathy: a case series.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2019;16(5-6):46-49.Hauger AV, Reiman MP, Bjordal JM, Sheets C, Ledbetter L, Goode AP.Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is effective in strengthening the quadriceps muscle after anterior cruciate ligament surgery.Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2018;26(2):399-410. doi:10.1007/s00167-017-4669-5Rampazo ÉP, Liebano RE.Analgesic effects of interferential current therapy: a narrative review.Medicina. 2022;58(1):141. doi:10.3390/medicina58010141Brown CD, Lauber CA, Cappaert T.The effect of dexamethasone iontophoresis on decreasing pain and improving function in patients with musculoskeletal conditions.J Sport Rehabil. 2015;24(3):327-31. doi:10.1123/jsr.2014-0172
Jin HK, Hwang TY, Cho SH.Effect of electrical stimulation on blood flow velocity and vessel size.Open Med (Wars). 2017;12:5-11. doi:10.1515/med-2017-0002
Vance CG, Dailey DL, Rakel BA, Sluka KA.Using TENS for pain control: the state of the evidence.Pain Manag. 2014;4(3):197-209. doi:10.2217/pmt.14.13
Wang TJ, Sung K, Wilburn M, Allbright J.Russian stimulation/functional electrical stimulation in the treatment of foot drop resulting from lumbar radiculopathy: a case series.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2019;16(5-6):46-49.
Hauger AV, Reiman MP, Bjordal JM, Sheets C, Ledbetter L, Goode AP.Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is effective in strengthening the quadriceps muscle after anterior cruciate ligament surgery.Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2018;26(2):399-410. doi:10.1007/s00167-017-4669-5
Rampazo ÉP, Liebano RE.Analgesic effects of interferential current therapy: a narrative review.Medicina. 2022;58(1):141. doi:10.3390/medicina58010141
Brown CD, Lauber CA, Cappaert T.The effect of dexamethasone iontophoresis on decreasing pain and improving function in patients with musculoskeletal conditions.J Sport Rehabil. 2015;24(3):327-31. doi:10.1123/jsr.2014-0172
Prentice, W. (1998). Therapeutic modalities for allied health professionals. New York: McGraw-Hill.
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