Electrical stimulation, electrostimulation and electrotherapy all refer to basically the same form of treatment. They use a weak electrical current to transfer energy for healing some type of health issue. This electrical current targets certain tissue, nerves and muscles by placing adhesive electrode pads on your skin.
Electricostimulation treatment does not introduce something foreign, as your body functions on electrical activity. You have your own bioelectric system that sends and receives electrical signals all the time, for instance your brain, nerves and heart all function via electrical signaling. Bottom line, you can’t survive without this natural electrical system.
What electrotherapy does is enhance your body’s natural current. Or it provides energy to an area that’s not able to receive it for some reason. There are various types of electrotherapy based on what’s being targeted for electrical stimulation, such as:
- iontophoresis
- deep brain stimulation (DBS)
- interferential current therapy (IFC)
- functional electrical stimulation (FES)
- neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NEMS)
- transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
Electrical stimulation is an emerging form of treatment and rife with controversy regarding its benefits. Just some of the general health related scenarios its proved or theorized beneficial for are:
- neuralgia
- analgesic
- spasticity
- bone healing
- wound healing
- muscle spasms
- stimulate nerves
- anti inflammatory
- endorphin release
- improve circulation
- stimulate muscle contraction
The scientific research into the benefit of electrostimulation for many of these is still ongoing.
Some health care providers use electrical stimulation despite the state of beneficial proof. Some health conditions where this form of treatment is currently being used involve:
- DVT
- burns
- stroke
- edema
- obesity
- heartburn
- decubitus
- back pain
- skin ulcers
- brain injury
- claudication
- chronic pain
- constipation
- inflammation
- gastroparesis
- bone fracture
- dysmenorrhea
- spinal cord injury
- multiple sclerosis
- acute pancreatitis
- avascular necrosis
- Raynaud’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- carpel tunnel syndrome
- tendinitis, tendon injuries
- surgical & traumatic wounds
- breathing difficulties ~ COPD
- relieve seasonal allergy symptoms
- gout ~ decreases uric acid in blood
- heart disease ~ angina, cardiac ischemia
- joint issue ~ arthralgia, knee osteoarthritis, TMJ
- depression, increase antidepressant effectiveness
- autoimmune disorders ~ rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Sjogren’s syndrome
- bladder problems ~ dysfunction, incontinence, overactive bladder, interstitial cystitis, urinary retention, neurogenic bladder
Presently in regards to several of these health conditions, there’s not enough scientific evidence to support whether its an effective treatment or not. Buyer beware.
