Electrical Stimulation Basiscs

 

How does electrical stimulation work?

     Electricity is passed through electrodes and through the skin to reach underlying tissues.

 

What path does electricity travel through the body?

     The current goes from one electrode to the other. The current penetrates through the skin, then fat layer, and to the muscle and other soft tissues.  Electricity will pass through areas of least resistance on its way to the other electrode.  For example, electrodes can be placed on each shoulder and the current could go through the entire body, not necessarily from shoulder to shoulder. The pathway could go from one shoulder, to the abdomen, down the leg, and then come up to the other shoulder. This is because the path will go through the body where it finds the least resistance, not necessarily the least amount of distance.

     Patients who have pacemakers can’t use electrical stimulation because the current has the potential to short out the pacemaker.

 

What types of E.S. are evaluated?

     Interferential Current (IFC), Russian, Pre-modulated, and High Voltage

 

What is the purpose of E.S.?

     It can be used to decrease pain and inflammation, improve circulation and decrease swelling, reduce muscle spasms, and help muscles contract properly.

 

Where are electrodes placed?

     Electrodes can be placed on or around the painful area, over specific dermatomes, areas of skin supplied by a single spinal nerve, that correspond to the painful area, close to spinal cord segment that innervates an area that is painful, or over sites where peripheral nerves that innervate the painful area becomes superficial and can be easily stimulated. 

 

Why use a small node opposed to a large node?

     This mostly depends on the target area being treated. Smaller regions call for smaller electrodes and vice versa. Small electrodes will be used on the hands and foot while large electrodes will be used on the back or on the quads.