Interferential therapy (IFT) is one of the various types of physical therapy used at Chiro & Sports Med. They use this type of therapy in four clinical applications. This type of therapy helps to relieve pain, stimulate muscles, increase local blood flow, and reduce edema.
The chiropractor will place electrodes on your skin around the injured body part. The Interferential Current device then transmits electrical impulses in minute quantities through your skin. This stimulates the underlying tissue and nerves which begins the healing properties. These impulses are not painful in the least. In fact, patients describe the sensation as a minor prickle on their skin. This stimulates the secretion of endorphins, the body’s natural pain relievers, thus relaxing strained muscles and promoting soft-tissue healing. Therefore helping to create a self-healing process without the need for medications.
This form of therapy is also extremely useful in reducing pain associated with several conditions including:
- Back pain (most common)
- Arthritis
- Strains and sprains
- Neuralgia
- Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)
- Shingles
- Degenerative joint disease
- Interstitial Cystitis
It has been suggested that IFT works in a ‘special way’ because it is ‘interferential’ as opposed to ‘normal’ stimulation. The machine can be set up to act more like a TENS-type device and even more like a muscle stimulator by adjusting the stimulating (beat) frequency. Some patients regard it as more acceptable, as it generates less discomfort than some other forms of electrical stimulation.
Patient benefits include: reduces painful symptoms, decreases local swelling, promotes muscle tone, restores normal movements, releases the body’s natural pain killers, and accelerates the healing process.
