Electrotherapy is used to help manage pain, increase the rate of healing and improve the quality of the tissue repair. Electrotherapy uses an energy source to stimulate changes in the tissue. Here at advance Physiotherapy & sports injury clinic we use electrotherapy modalities such as therapeutic ultrasound. With certain conditions we may advise the use of a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit whilst at home as this can reduce pain levels (TENS machines can be bought from local pharmacies).
Electrotherapy works best when accompanied by a rehabilitation programme working on gradually loading the tendons and joints. Rehabilitation must accompany any tendon or meniscus issues for treatment to be effective.
Tendons need to be stimulated through loading for their tensile strength to increase, which forms an essential part of the recovery process.
Joints need to be loaded and moved in order for the body to provide important nutrients to the area to enable normal healing.
