Electrotherapy is the therapeutic use of electricity for medical treatment. This type of treatment can be delivered through a variety of devices that produce ultrasound, infrared rays, and varying levels of electric current. The use of electricity dates back to ancient Greece, when shocks from an electric eel were used to treat headaches. It was not until the twentieth century, however, that technology had advanced enough to provide safe, effective devices which could use electricity to promote healing.

Electrotherapy treatments are most commonly employed to relieve pain, reduce swelling, relax muscles, speed up healing, and stimulate acupuncture points. Physiotherapists have been using various forms and equipment to administer these treatments with great success.

Back and neck pain, whether acute or chronic, is frequently treated with electrotherapy. One of the most common machines available is the Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) unit, which delivers a range of frequencies, and can be set to match the comfort level of the patient. This portable piece of equipment can be worn at home for long-term pain relief. Patients who need deeper skin penetration can use an Interferential Current device (IFC) that delivers a high frequency wave. Acute injuries involving bleeding, major tissue damage and swelling may achieve better results with Galvanic Stimulation (GS), which delivers direct current instead of the alternating current employed by the other machines.

Electrotherapy is frequently used in conjunction with other techniques, such as exercise therapy, manipulation, ultrasound and acupuncture. It is relatively pain-free and has no significant negative side effects. Patients who are pregnant or have a pacemaker or defibrillator could have serious reactions to the electricity, however, and should not attempt this treatment.

Common electrotherapy equipments what we are using

• Interferential therapy(IFT)
• Spinal traction
• Pelvic(continuous/intermittent) traction(IPT)
• Cervical continuous/intermittent)traction.(ICT)
• Ultrasound therapy(US)
• Electrical stimulation(E.S)
• Short wave diathermy(SWD)
• Transcutaeous electrical nerve stimulation.(TENS)