• Home
  • Meet Our Staff
  • Services & Techniques
    • Research
    • Articles
    • Testimonials
  • Auto Accidents
  • Patient Center
    • Virtual Office Tour
    • ​Online Forms
    • Payment Options
    • Calendar
  • Online Reviews
  • ​Testimonials
    • Pro Athletes
    • Amateur Athletes
    • Healthcare Practitioners
    • Coaches
    • Videos
  • Hours
  • Community Content
    • Auto Injury Chiropractic Care >
      • A Day in the Life of a Chiropractor
      • Lessen Pain Medication Dependence
      • Active Release Techniques
      • Drop Table Technique
      • Manual Technique
      • Myofascial Release
      • Electrotherapy >
        • Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulators (TENS)
        • Interferential Current (IFC)
        • Galvanic Stimulation (GS)
      • Verterbral Subluxation >
        • Spinal Kinesiopathology
        • Neuropathophysiology
        • Myopathy
        • Histopathology
        • Pathophysiology
      • Cluster Headaches
      • Migraine Headaches
      • Tension Headaches
      • TMJ
      • Knee Pain
      • Shin Splints
      • Orthotics
    • We May Help You With >
      • ADHD
      • Allergies
      • Asthma
      • Auto Accidents
      • Back Pain-Lower
      • ​Back Pain-Upper/Neck
      • Bedwetting
      • Carpal Tunnel
      • Colic
      • Ear Infections
      • Fibromyalgia
      • Frozen Shoulder
      • Headaches
      • Osteoarthritis
      • Osteoporosis
      • Pinched Nerve
      • Plantar Fasciitis
      • PMS
      • Pregnancy
      • Sciatica
      • Scoliosis
      • ​Slipped Disc
      • ​​Shoulder Pain
      • ​​Stress
      • Tennis Elbow
      • Whiplash
      • Wellness
    • Today's Chiropractic >
      • Wellness vs. Medical Care
      • What is Chiropractic?
      • Effects of Chiropractic Care
    • Story of Chiropractic >
      • History
      • How does it work
      • Suggested Reading
    • Success in Your Spine >
      • Strength
      • Posture
      • Balance
      • Movement
    • The Wellness Approach
    • Chiro Myths & Facts
    • Wellness Glossary
    • Functional Medicine Chiropractic Care >
      • The Role of Chiropractic Care in Functional Medicine
      • A Functional Medicine Chiropractor's Day
      • Chiropractic Care for Children
      • Preventing Falls in Older Adults
      • How Technology Affects Health
      • ​Chiropractic Care for Athletes
      • Heat Therapy
      • Cold Therapy
      • Drug-Free Alternatives for Pain Management >
        • Excercise
        • Diet
        • Acupuncture
        • Acupressure
        • Massage
        • Lifestyle Practices
        • Yoga
        • Tai Chi
        • Strength Training
        • Mind-Body Techniques
        • Stress Management
        • Aromatherapy
      • Nutrition >
        • Vitamins and Nutrients
        • Superfoods
        • Whole Grains
        • Sugar, Salt and Trans and Saturated Fats
        • Lean Protein Sources
  • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
On The Go Chiro | Best Walk in Chiropractor Tucson -Dr. Tory
  • Home
  • Meet Our Staff
  • Services & Techniques
    • Research
    • Articles
    • Testimonials
  • Auto Accidents
  • Patient Center
    • Virtual Office Tour
    • ​Online Forms
    • Payment Options
    • Calendar
  • Online Reviews
  • ​Testimonials
    • Pro Athletes
    • Amateur Athletes
    • Healthcare Practitioners
    • Coaches
    • Videos
  • Hours
  • Community Content
    • Auto Injury Chiropractic Care >
      • A Day in the Life of a Chiropractor
      • Lessen Pain Medication Dependence
      • Active Release Techniques
      • Drop Table Technique
      • Manual Technique
      • Myofascial Release
      • Electrotherapy >
        • Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulators (TENS)
        • Interferential Current (IFC)
        • Galvanic Stimulation (GS)
      • Verterbral Subluxation >
        • Spinal Kinesiopathology
        • Neuropathophysiology
        • Myopathy
        • Histopathology
        • Pathophysiology
      • Cluster Headaches
      • Migraine Headaches
      • Tension Headaches
      • TMJ
      • Knee Pain
      • Shin Splints
      • Orthotics
    • We May Help You With >
      • ADHD
      • Allergies
      • Asthma
      • Auto Accidents
      • Back Pain-Lower
      • ​Back Pain-Upper/Neck
      • Bedwetting
      • Carpal Tunnel
      • Colic
      • Ear Infections
      • Fibromyalgia
      • Frozen Shoulder
      • Headaches
      • Osteoarthritis
      • Osteoporosis
      • Pinched Nerve
      • Plantar Fasciitis
      • PMS
      • Pregnancy
      • Sciatica
      • Scoliosis
      • ​Slipped Disc
      • ​​Shoulder Pain
      • ​​Stress
      • Tennis Elbow
      • Whiplash
      • Wellness
    • Today's Chiropractic >
      • Wellness vs. Medical Care
      • What is Chiropractic?
      • Effects of Chiropractic Care
    • Story of Chiropractic >
      • History
      • How does it work
      • Suggested Reading
    • Success in Your Spine >
      • Strength
      • Posture
      • Balance
      • Movement
    • The Wellness Approach
    • Chiro Myths & Facts
    • Wellness Glossary
    • Functional Medicine Chiropractic Care >
      • The Role of Chiropractic Care in Functional Medicine
      • A Functional Medicine Chiropractor's Day
      • Chiropractic Care for Children
      • Preventing Falls in Older Adults
      • How Technology Affects Health
      • ​Chiropractic Care for Athletes
      • Heat Therapy
      • Cold Therapy
      • Drug-Free Alternatives for Pain Management >
        • Excercise
        • Diet
        • Acupuncture
        • Acupressure
        • Massage
        • Lifestyle Practices
        • Yoga
        • Tai Chi
        • Strength Training
        • Mind-Body Techniques
        • Stress Management
        • Aromatherapy
      • Nutrition >
        • Vitamins and Nutrients
        • Superfoods
        • Whole Grains
        • Sugar, Salt and Trans and Saturated Fats
        • Lean Protein Sources
  • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
On The Go Chiro | Best Walk in Chiropractor Tucson -Dr. Tory
Electrotherapy
We rely on electricity every day to light our homes and use appliances. With all its run-of-the-mill uses, you may have never considered that electricity could be used to reduce acute and chronic pain. How is electricity used to lessen pain? Electrotherapy directly blocks pain signals and encourages the body to release its own natural painkillers (endorphins).

Electrotherapy Uses and Benefits
The American Physical Therapy Association recognizes the use of electrotherapy for:
  • Pain management
  • Treatment of neuromuscular dysfunction
  • Tissue repair
  • Improving joint mobility
  • Treatment of edema (both acute and chronic)
  • Treatment of fecal and urinary incontinence
  • Treating abnormal peripheral blood flow
  • Treatment of atrophy
However, electrotherapy is mainly used by chiropractors to relax muscles, prevent muscle spasms, reduce pain, increase blood circulation, rehabilitate muscles and improve range of motion.

Electrotherapy Devices
There are three different stimulation devices that emit electricity, and each generates its own waveforms, frequencies and effects. All of the mechanisms employ electrical stimulation to muscles and nerves through adhesive pads, which are placed on the skin.
  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Of the three, this is the most commonly used device. The intensity of the stimulation can be adjusted from low (<Hz) to high (60-200 Hz). High frequency stimulation may be bearable for hours, but pain relief does not last long. Low frequency stimulation, on the other hand, may only be tolerable for up to 30 minutes, but pain relief lasts longer. The electrodes — which emit alternating current — can be placed near the region of pain, over the area of pain, on the opposite side of the body or over the nerve transmitting pain.
  • Interferential current (IFC). This particular device is often used when users have not gotten any relief from TENS. It uses a high frequency (4000 Hz) carrier waveform with the similar signal and alternating current generated by the TENS unit, except the waveform with the IFC pierces the skin and muscles much deeper.
  • Galvanic stimulation (GS). If a patient has an acute injury related to tissue trauma (including swelling), GS may be recommended. While TENS and IFC units apply interchanging current, galvanic stimulators use direct current that produces an electrical field over the treated area. This modifies blood flow. The device uses both a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The positive pad works like ice, causing a reduction in circulation to the region directly under the bad. This helps to minimize swelling. The negative pad, in contrast, acts like heat, causing circulation to increase. This can speed up healing.

What Does Treatment Feel Like?
As the intensity increases, the patient will feel a tingling sensation on the skin, or the sensation will be reminiscent of a deep massage if the device is being used to penetrate and treat the muscles. All of this is normal.
​
What Are the Side Effects?
Though side effects are uncommon, they can occur. They may include:
  • Allergic reaction
  • Cardiac arrhythmia in patients with heart problems or a pacemaker
  • Low blood pressure
  • Fetal damage if the woman is pregnant and the pads are placed over the uterus
IFC, TENS and GS can be used in-home. These devices are powered by batteries, but may also come with an adapter to allow it to be plugged into an outlet. To reduce your risk of side effects and to reduce your chance of injury, it is best to consult with your chiropractor prior to use. He or she can show you how to properly use the device, can test the device out to see which intensity works best for you and can explain safety guidelines. For instance, electrodes should never be placed over the heart, throat, uterus (if pregnant), open wounds or areas of irritation.
To find out more, please contact our office.


Categories
  • Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulators (TENS)
  • Interferential Current (IFC)
  • Galvanic Stimulation (GS)

Office Hours

Picture
NOTE: NEW HOURS
Picture

​What can we help you find?

Follow US

3250 N. Campbell Ave. Ste 132, Tucson, AZ 85719

(520)881-0650
Copyright © 2021 On The Go Chir0. All Rights Reserved. Website by Kingdom Strategic Marketing