Electrotherapy includes a range of treatments using electricity to reduce pain, improve circulation, repair tissues, strengthen muscles and promote bone growth, leading to improvements in physical functioning.
An electrical current passes through the joints and soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, tendons and capsule) which decreases swelling and improves circulation by contracting and relaxing muscles. Decrease in swelling is very important and effective for pain control and limiting cell death. Decreasing swelling keeps as many cells alive as possible so that the healing process takes place swiftly and effectively.
Electrotherapy will also relax hypertonic and spasmodic muscles. This helps the healing process by allowing for more blood and lymphatic supply into the area. Decreasing muscle spasms decreases pain and allows for better mobility of the joint.