Did you know that more than 50 million people in the United States alone suffer from chronic pain? Chronic pain comes in a variety of forms and can result from injuries, diseases, and so on. Whatever the case, taking medication for pain can be exhausting.
Certain medications can even be harmful to your health when you take them for a prolonged period of time. At the same time, you might not be able to function and lead a normal life without your pain medication. Fortunately, there is an alternative option: electrotherapy.
If you have never heard of this pain treatment option, you may be wondering: What is electrotherapy exactly and how does it work? Electrotherapy is a type of physiotherapy and it can be quite effective if you manage to find a physiotherapist that's right for you. Keep reading and learn more about how electrotherapy works and how it can help your pain.
The great thing about electrotherapy is that not only is it good for reducing pain, but it can also benefit your body in other ways. For example, it may improve your body's circulation, repair damaged tissues, and even strengthen bone and muscle. This is important if your pain is caused by a debilitating condition that makes it difficult (if not impossible) to move around and exercise.
Electrotherapy involves the use of electrode pads which are small devices that your healthcare provider will place on certain locations on your skin. These electrodes are connected with wires to a device powered by a battery. Once your healthcare provider turns on the electrotherapy device, the device will transmit electrical currents to the electrode pads and into your skin and other tissues.
This may sound dangerous and painful, but it is actually quite safe. That's because the electrical currents that flow through the device are very mild and will not damage your body in any way. There are even some very modern variations of electrotherapy devices that you can wear throughout the day.
While the scientific studies concerning the effectiveness of electrotherapy are limited, there are many people who find that electrotherapy works very well for them and their pain. Some people may find that electrotherapy does not work for them.
This may be because their pain or disease has progressed too far to be treated with electrotherapy. Whatever the case, electrotherapy can be very effective for many people, and the great thing about this treatment is that it is not invasive. This means you won't have to worry about surgery or any recovery time.
This is important if you have a busy schedule and don't like the idea of waiting around as your body heals. But how does electrotherapy work exactly?
By applying electrode pads to an area such as the knee that often experiences pain, the electrical currents that flow into the area are able to suppress the pain. This is because the electricity from the electrotherapy device interacts with the nerves in that area which in turn send the electrical information back to the brain. When this happens, the brain reacts by producing more endorphins.
You have likely heard of endorphins and know that your body produces when in response to various activities such as exercise. The pituitary gland produces and stores endorphins. Endorphins are the body's own painkiller.
If the body is not able to produce enough endorphins for whatever reason, the result will be an increase in pain in the body. On the other hand, if there is an increase in endorphins in the body, one's pain levels would decrease.
In addition to endorphins, the electrical currents from the electrotherapy electrode pads also stimulate the brain's production of encephalin. This is another hormone that functions to diminish pain in the body.
But is the treatment itself painful, you might ask? Not at all! Many people find that as the electrotherapy device provides the body with an electrical current, the sensation is somewhat soothing.
Some people describe it as a tingling sensation, while others describe it as a relaxing sensation. Whatever the case, you will be able to feel the electrical current working its magic, and you won't have to worry about experiencing any additional pain. While this may all sound great, how can you know if you would be a good candidate for electrotherapy in the first place?
Before you search for a "physiotherapist near me," you will first need to know that electrotherapy isn't right for everyone. While this treatment can treat a wide variety of health conditions, there are a few circumstances in which electrotherapy might be dangerous and not the right choice. For example, if you are in your first trimester of pregnancy, it might not be a good choice to undergo electrotherapy.
If an area that is usually painful is starting to become numb or have less feeling in it, you should not try electrotherapy. Finally, if you have lymphedema, you should not try electrotherapy as it might cause the flow of lymphatic fluid to worsen.
As long as you don't have any of these problems, you will be a good choice for electrotherapy. Whether you suffer from joint pain, arthritis, diabetic pain, dental pain, sciatica, or anything else, the use of mild electrical currents will be able to help.
Electrotherapy is a unique type of pain relief and treatment. This treatment is ideal for various health conditions. It involves the use of electrodes and a mild electrical current.
After a few sessions, you should start to notice your pain decrease. Contact us here to learn more.
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