Electrotherapy

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Electrotherapy is a fantastic adjunction to hands-on treatment that assists in accelerating healing and recovery. By applying a small electric current to targeted areas of tissue we are able to relieve swelling, and pain, improve muscle contraction and initiate movement. Most commonly used as a muscle relaxant but has also been proven to treat more severe neurological conditions by stimulating deep brain tissue. It can be used on its own or combined with our manual/hands-on therapy techniques and our bespoke exercise plans to maximise results and recovery.

Although Electrotherapy treatments are mainly used on humans, it is more common now in treating certain conditions in dogs and horses.

With dogs, it has been proven to advance muscle range and motion, reduce inflammation and stiffness, strengthen muscles, and provide effective pain relief if they have been injured or undergone surgery. For horses, the electric waves are like a thorough, deep tissue massage, preventing injury, maintaining strength and elasticity, optimizing circulation, and loosening all the tight muscles in places like their neck and back that can stiffen or ‘lock’, allowing the horse to move more freely.

Conditions that are treatable with electrotherapy vary between horse, human and hound. But, the connecting factor is that it is proven to strengthen, maintain and even restore areas of the body that have weakened from an injury or ageing. And that it has increased recovery and rehabilitation time following an injury or operation.

The types of treatments vary, but the most commonly used are –

Ultrasound
TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)
Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS)
Pulsed magnetic therapy
Pulsed Shortwave Diathermy (PSWD)
Laser therapy
Neuromuscular electrical nerve stimulation
Interferential Therapy

All our appointments begin with an assessment of either yourself or your animal. Once we have determined the problem, we will go through all of our recommended treatments with you, which may include a course of electrotherapy.

If you believe you or your animal would benefit from electrotherapy, or you are unsure and would like to know more information, then please get in touch via our contact page.