Interferential Current Therapy
Interferential current therapy is an effective therapy option used to relieve pain and accelerate the self-healing process, getting your body back to a healthy, pain free state. The high frequency signals of an IFC penetrate through the skin into deeper lying muscle tissues.
How does IFC work?
Electrodes are placed on your skin around the injured body part. The Interferential Current device then transmits electrical impulses in minute quantities through your skin. Underlying tissue and nerves are stimulated which begins the healing properties.
How does IFC feel?
These impulses are not painful in the least. In fact, patients describe the sensation as a minor prickle on their skin.
Benefits of IFC
Frequencies produced by the IFC have been proven to stimulate endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers. This can help to create a self-healing process without the need to for medications. This form of therapy is also extremely useful in reducing pain, inflammation, edema, and spasms. – Reduces or eliminates your pain safely. – Noticeable decrease in swelling and inflammation. – Restores lost movement and improves restricted movements and coordination. – Stimulates the natural hormones which can help your body heal faster. – Considered by many experts as a highly effective form of treatment for chronic pain.
Is IFC safe?
Absolutely! The electrical impulses sent through your body are tiny. You will not experience any pain or shock. At the most, you will experience a slight tickling sensation.
IFC vs TENS
Interferential current therapy is a deeper form of the common treatment TENS. The frequency is higher at 4000Hz from interferential current therapy compared to the same signal released by a TENS unit at low frequencies of 5-160 Hz per second. The IFC’s high frequency waveform reaches the skin deeply with a higher level of stimulation and less discomfort to the patient.
Dry Needling
Dry Needling is a treatment technique whereby a sterile, single-use, fine filament needle (acupuncture needle) is inserted into the muscle to assist with decreasing pain and improving function through the release of myofascial trigger points (knots in the muscle).
What is the difference between dry needling and acupuncture?
Dry Needling is a not the same as acupuncture, although there are similarities between the two techniques. The main difference between Dry Needling and acupuncture is the theory behind why the techniques work. Dry Needling is primarily focused on the reduction of pain and restoration of function through the release of myofascial trigger points in muscle. In comparison, acupuncture focuses on the treatment of medical conditions by restoring the flow of energy (Qi) through key points in the body (meridians) to restore balance
What is a myofascial trigger point?
A myofascial trigger point, also known as a knot in the muscle, is a group of muscle fibres which have shortened when activated but have not been able to lengthen back to a relaxed state after use. A myofascial trigger point is characterised by the development of a sensitive nodule in the muscle (Simons, Travell & Simons, 1999). This occurs as the muscle fibres become so tight that they compress the capillaries and nerves that supply them (McPartland, 2004; Simons, et al., 1999). As a result, the muscle is unable to move normally, obtain a fresh blood supply containing oxygen and nutrients, or flush out additional acidic chemicals (McPartland, 2004; Simons, et al., 1999). In addition to this nodule, the remainder of the muscle also tightens to compensate (Simons, et al., 1999; Simons, 2002). The presence of a myofascial trigger point in a muscle can lead to discomfort with touch, movement and stretching; to decreased movement at a joint; and even a temporary loss of coordination (Simons, et al., 1999).
What causes a myofascial trigger point?
A myofascial trigger point develops as part of the body’s protective response following: – injury – the muscle will tighten in an attempt to reduce the severity of an injury; – unexpected movements e.g. descending a step that is lower than originally anticipated; – quick movements e.g. looking over your shoulder while driving; – change in regular activity or muscle loading e.g. an increase in the number or intensity of training sessions for sport; – sustained postures e.g. prolonged sitting for work or study; – nerve impingement – the muscle will tighten to protect the nerve; – stress; – illness (bacterial or viral); – nutritional deficiencies, or; – metabolic and endocrine conditions. (Simons, et al., 1999)
How does dry needling work?
Dry Needling assists with decreasing local muscular pain and improving function through the restoration of a muscle’s ability to lengthen and shorten normally by releasing myofascial trigger points. When a fine filament needle is inserted into the center of a myofascial trigger point, blood pools around the needle triggering the contracted muscle fibers to relax by providing those fibers with fresh oxygen and nutrients, as well as by flushing away any additional acidic chemicals. This, in turn, leads to the decompression of the local blood and nerve supply.
When can dry needling help?
Dry Needling can be used in treatment to help release myofascial trigger points (muscle knots); to assist with pain management, and to restore movement at a joint if inhibited by myofascial trigger points.
What will you feel?
During a Dry Needling treatment, you may feel a slight sting as the needle is inserted and removed. However, this discomfort should last no longer than a second before settling. A brief muscle twitch can also be experienced during a Dry Needling treatment. This may occur during treatment when the needle is inserted into a myofascial trigger point.
Is dry needling safe?
Everybody is different and can respond differently to various treatment techniques, including Dry Needling. In addition to the benefits that Dry Needling can provide, there are a number of side effects that may occur, including spotting or bruising and aching. However, these symptoms should last no longer than 24 to 48 hours after treatment. Post-treatment soreness can be reduced by gentling stretching and application of a heat pack for 20 minutes after the treatment.
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that involves creating a series of low energy acoustic wave pulsations that are directly applied to an injury through a person’s skin via a gel medium. The concept and technology originally evolved from the discovery that focused sound waves could break down kidney and gallstones. Generated shockwaves have proven successful in several scientific studies for the treatment of chronic conditions. The purpose of the therapy is to trigger the body’s own natural healing response. Many people report that their pain is reduced, and mobility improved after the first treatment.
What conditions is shockwave therapy used for?
Benefits of shockwave therapy?
Side effects?
After the treatment, you may experience temporary soreness, tenderness or swelling for a few days following the procedure, as the shockwaves stimulate an inflammatory response. But this is the body healing itself naturally. So, it’s important not to take any anti-inflammatory medication after treatment, which may slow down the results. Upon completion of your treatment, you can return to most regular activities almost immediately.
Who can benefit from shockwave therapy?
Shockwave therapy is most suited for people who have chronic (i.e. greater than six weeks) tendinopathies (commonly referred to as tendinitis) which haven’t responded to other treatment; these include: tennis elbow, Achilles, rotator cuff, plantar fasciitis, jumpers’ knee, calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. These could be because of sport, overuse, or repetitive strain.
Activator Technique
The Activator technique uses a small, hand-held instrument called the Activator Adjusting Instrument to deliver a gentle impulse force to the spine with the goal of restoring motion to the targeted spinal vertebra or joint. It is an alternative to the traditional manual form of spinal manipulation, known as the high velocity low amplitude (HVLA) thrust.
What to expect?
During a typical adjustment with the Activator, the chiropractor applies the Activator device to the tissues at or near the affected joint. An initial pressure is followed by a quick thrust from the device, which feels much like having one’s reflex tested by tapping your knee. The patient remains still, with no twisting or turning as there often is for a traditional chiropractic adjustment (high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust). After an adjustment, the chiropractor will often re-evaluate for correction of signs and symptoms associated with the complaint.
Is the Activator technique safe?
The FDA has approved the use of the Activator Adjusting Instrument for “chiropractic adjustment of the spine and extremities” based on several clinical studies with positive outcomes indicating that the instrument is effective and safe.
Effectiveness?
The Activator Method is one of the most widely researched chiropractic techniques and the only instrument adjusting technique with 23 clinical trials to support its efficacy. Activator Methods has published hundreds of clinical and scientific peer-reviewed papers, worked with major academic research institutions, and received grants from recognized entities like the National Institutes of Health.