Stimulation current therapy is an alternative procedure from electrotherapy or electromedicine. The natural conductivity of the human organism is used to stimulate weakened muscles or nerves with electric current.
What is stimulation current therapy?
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is an electromedical stimulation current therapy. The goal of this therapy is to affect nerve pathways that serve to conduct pain in such a way that pain transmission to the brain is reduced or prevented. Click to enlarge. Stimulation current therapy is a form of electrotherapy in which impulse currents (direct current or low-frequency alternating currents) are used therapeutically in slowly increasing intensity. With the help of stimulation current therapy, weakened muscles in particular are stimulated to contract (contract) by weak stimulation currents (1 to 1000 Hz). In addition, the procedure is used for muscle hardening, pain conditions and circulatory disorders. A special form of stimulation current therapy is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), which is used in particular for neuralgia (pain conditions in the area of sensitive nerves) and tumor-related pain. In addition, a cardiac pacemaker, through which the myocardium (heart muscle) is continuously and specifically stimulated by stimulation current impulses and accordingly the functional capability of the heart is ensured, represents a very frequently encountered form of stimulation current therapy.
Function, effect, and goals
Stimulation current therapy is generally used for weakened muscles, tissue and/or muscle atrophy (atrophy of muscles or tissue), circulatory disorders, neuralgia, sciatica (irritation of the sciatic nerve), arthrosis, tenosynovitis, incontinence, and post-traumatic pain symptoms. Here, stimulation current therapy, like any form of electrotherapy, uses the principle conductivity of the human organism, which is provided in particular by the blood, urine, and lymphatic and cerebrospinal fluids, as well as the organs and muscles. Electrical stimuli are intended to cause nervous reactions, which, in addition to the stimulating effect on the muscles, can also contribute to the reduction of pain (analgesic effect) and to the improvement of blood circulation (hyperemic effect). Threshold currents in amplitude-modulated pulse sequences are used in stimulation current therapy. The specific current strength, pulse duration and frequency are selected depending on the individual disease and stage of disease. The muscle to be treated is stimulated to contract indirectly via electrodes attached to the skin of the patient by electrically stimulating the motor nerve supplying the muscle by imitating the natural nervous innervation. Tetanizing currents (also called faradic currents or faradization) in series pulses (short succedaneous pulses) induce muscle contractions that last as long as the current flows. Faradic or tetanizing currents are used, among other things, in inactivity atrophies (muscle atrophy due to non-use), chronic habitual constipation, as part of electrogymnastics of the calf muscles to prevent blood vessel occlusion, hypalgesia (reduced sensitivity to pain), and hypesthesia (reduced sensitivity to touch). Diadynamic pulses (alternating currents with different frequencies with simultaneous use of galvanic currents) are used to achieve an analgesic effect in pain symptoms, rheumatic diseases or acute trauma-related complaints. It is assumed that the ionic milieu at the membranes is modified by the low-frequency currents in such a way that the conduction in the sensitive nerves is influenced and an analgesic effect is achieved accordingly. The stimulation currents also stimulate the vasomotor (involving the movement of blood vessels) autonomic nerve fibers. Vascular dilation (vasodilation) and thus a hyperemic effect can be induced in the treated area. In addition, reflexively tense muscles (immobilized by pain) can be detonated (relaxed) by direct stimulation currents. The effect of stimulation current therapy for increasing muscle strength and endurance as part of muscle building training is controversially discussed, but has not yet been clearly confirmed by scientific studies.
Risks, side effects and dangers
Improper or inadequate use of stimulation current therapy can cause serious damage. For example, too high a dose can cause damage to the treated skin areas as well as circulatory and sensory disturbances (insensitivity). Stimulation current therapy is also contraindicated if pregnancy is present, as the procedure can cause fetal malformations during pregnancy. A contraindication must also be made if the person to be treated has a pacemaker, since the application of stimulation currents can negatively affect the functionality of the pacemaker. If inflammatory diseases, thromboses, open skin areas, metals in the body of the person to be treated (metal implants, prostheses) and/or a pronounced arterial circulatory disorder (including arteriosclerosis) are present, the use of stimulation current therapy should also be ruled out. In addition, special caution should be exercised in the use of stimulation currents in persons who wear an insulin pump, have cardiac arrhythmias, febrile illnesses, an increased tendency to bleed, or malignant (malignant) tumors. Stimulation current therapy is also not indicated for individuals who exhibit a pathological fear of electric current.
