Shelby County Chiropractic

An image of a person getting a massage

The Role of Electrical Stimulation in Rehabilitating Injured Muscles and Tissues

Advancements in technology continually shape and refine treatment approaches in physical rehabilitation. One such innovation that has become popular for its efficacy in aiding recovery is electrical stimulation.

This blog by chiropractors in Shelbyville explores the significance of electrical stimulation in rehabilitating injured muscles and tissues, elucidating how it enhances mobility and function for individuals undergoing rehabilitation.

Understanding Electrical Stimulation

Electrical stimulation involves the application of electrical currents to targeted muscles or tissues. This therapeutic modality mimics the natural electrical impulses produced by the nervous system, thereby eliciting specific physiological responses.

Electrical stimulation serves as a valuable adjunct to traditional rehabilitation techniques by stimulating muscle contractions or modulating pain perception.

The Benefits of Electrical Stimulation

1. Promoting Muscle Re-Education

Following injury or surgery, muscles may experience weakness or atrophy due to disuse.

Electrical stimulation facilitates muscle re-education by activating motor neurons and promoting muscle contractions. Through repetitive stimulation, patients can regain strength and coordination in affected muscle groups, ultimately restoring functional movement patterns.

2. Accelerating Tissue Healing

In addition to its effects on muscle function, electrical stimulation also accelerates tissue healing. Electrical currents facilitate the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to injured tissues by increasing blood flow and promoting cellular metabolism.

This enhanced circulatory response expedites the repair process, reducing recovery time and minimizing the risk of complications such as scar tissue formation.

An image of a man running

3. Managing Pain and Discomfort

Chronic pain is a common challenge during the rehabilitation process. Electrical stimulation offers a non-invasive approach to pain management by modulating pain perception and interrupting pain signals transmitted to the brain.

Through the release of endorphins and other neurotransmitters, electrical stimulation induces analgesic effects, providing relief from discomfort and improving patient tolerance during therapy sessions.

4. Enhancing Functional Outcomes

Ultimately, the goal of rehabilitation is to restore optimal function and mobility for individuals recovering from injury or surgery. Electrical stimulation plays a pivotal role in achieving this objective by addressing underlying impairments and facilitating the rehabilitation process.

Optimizing muscle strength, promoting tissue healing, and managing pain allow electrical stimulation to empower patients to regain independence and resume their daily activities with confidence.

Experience Enhanced Rehabilitation with Chiropractors in Shelbyville!

Ready to accelerate your recovery and regain mobility? Visit Shelby County Chiropractic today for safe chiropractic therapies. We strive to provide our patients with immediate pain relief with our affordable, convenient, and streamlined services.

Take the first step towards optimal healing and function by visiting our Shelbyville chiropractic center led by Dr. James Stapleton DC!

Contact us now to learn more about our offerings.

A person undergoing electrical stimulation therapy.

Types of Electrical Stimulation Used In Physical Therapy

One of the modalities of physical therapy used in chiropractic is electrical stimulation. Electrical stimulation is used to regain muscles’ contraction abilities. When your muscles cannot contract, you can experience pain, weakness, and a decreased ability to function properly. You might also deal with limited muscular movement.

Electrical stimulation can be beneficial in conditions of tendonitis, post-surgical pain, lower back pain, bursitis, muscle weakness, or loss of movement control.

If you’ve been experiencing any of the above conditions, your chiropractor might advise you to undergo electrical stimulation. There are many different types of electrical stimulation based on your condition:

 

1. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, also known as TENS, is a type of electrical stimulation used to decrease chronic pain.

TENS can alter or interrupt the pain signals traveling to the brain from affected tissues. It is performed with the help of electrified electrodes placed on the affected muscle, which alters pain signals traveling to the brain.

 

2. Russian Stimulation

Post-surgery or post-injury pain can be intolerable; you might need to visit your chiropractor. After the surgery or a serious injury, you might also experience muscle weakness and an inability to move comfortably.

To restore muscular movement, your chiropractor might recommend Russian Stimulation.

It uses electricity to generate contraction in the muscle by force. The electricity is applied to the affected body part for 10 seconds at an interval of 50 seconds. The entire process may go on for 10 minutes.

 

3. Interferential Current

Typically, a crisscross pattern of four electrodes is used for interference current. This results in “interference” between the currents passing between the electrodes, hence the name.

Physical therapists and chiropractors use this type of electrical stimulation to improve blood circulation in injured tissues. IFC is more or less similar to TENS, but in this method, current can be controlled and is specifically targeted to areas that are experiencing the most pain.

 

4. High Voltage Electrical Stimulation

Physical therapists use high Voltage Stimulation to decrease pain and enhance circulation in the injured tissues. High voltage is known to speed the healing process by changing the type of cells around the wound.

 

5. Iontophoresis

Iontophoresis is an electrical stimulation technique used to permeate the skin with medicines. Medications like dexamethasone can be used to lessen pain and discomfort by reducing inflammation and swelling. Medications used in iontophoresis can be utilized for more than only treating scar tissue and reducing calcium deposits.

 

6. Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation

In the same way that Russian stimulation is used to strengthen muscles, neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can do the same. As part of their treatment for patients recovering from surgery or injury, physical therapists often employ NMES to facilitate healthy muscle contractions. Muscle re-education techniques like this can speed up a patient’s recovery from an accident or surgical operation.

 

Wireless TENS unit for therapy.

 

Advanced Chiropractic Care Services In Kentucky

If you’re wondering, “where can I find electrical stimulation physical therapy near me?” your search ends here. Shelby County Chiropractic in Shelbyville, Louisville, KY, uses electrical stimulation to relieve patients of acute pain and restore muscular movement.

Our founders, Dr. James Stapleton DC, and Dr. William Yadon DC, believe in making sure that patients understand the process of electrical stimulation before starting the chiropractic treatment. If you have any questions regarding the techniques used and which therapy is the most suitable for you, get in touch with us today to book your appointment!