Video showing English physiotherapist treating patient with interferential therapy for pain control and muscle rehabilitation. Comments follow on using Infrex Plus portable interferential tens unit at home.
The above video was filmed in an English physiotherapy dept. and has some very good comments about how to use interferential therapy and what the theories are behind using for pain and muscle stimulation. The below comments are intended to fill in some additional information about the video to better understand the application and tools available.
Comments on Video:
- The original treatment using an applicator and gel seems to be ultrasound therapy which is a separate treatment. You see this on the first patient in the video. Ultrasound units can also be rented or purchased for home use.
2. Suction cups are used to:
- keep the electrodes on
- actually bring blood to the area which helps conduct the interferential current
- can increase "current density" which may be uncomfortable and is not for people with sensitive skin
3. Sponge type electrodes are generally not used due to:
- As sponge dries out the current is "pin pointed" only to area where moisture is so patient gets "pin prick" uncomfortable sensation. Electricty follows moisture but air is an insulator so lose points of contact during the treatment. To stop this from happening one should use reusable, self adhering tens type electrodes. Generally for interferential this will be a 3" round, or strip type electrode.
- Unless cleaned very well between patients higher incidence of cross contamination is possible.
