Ready to say goodbye to aches and pains? Relieve your pain with electrical stimulation therapy.
Are you suffering from a painful injury or condition? If so, electrical stimulation therapy may be the answer.
Electrical stimulation is a safe and effective treatment that can provide pain relief and support recovery for several conditions.
A standard electrical stimulation device utilizes self-adhesive electrodes placed around the target treatment area on the body. The electrodes are then connected via wire leads to the unit, through which electricity can pass and ultimately interact with sensory and motor nerves.
Request an appointment with Mountain Land Physical Therapy Partners in Utah, Idaho, or Montana today to learn more.
Electrical stimulation therapy: a quick summary
- What it is: A safe, non-invasive treatment using electrodes to interact with nerves for pain relief and muscle recovery.
- Benefits: Reduces pain and swelling, prevents muscle atrophy, improves circulation, and enhances range of motion.
- Sensation: Most patients feel a “tingly” or “pins and needles” sensation; it is designed to be comfortable and pain-free.
- Common uses: Effective for sports injuries, ligament sprains, muscle strains, and neurological conditions.
- Locations: Available at Mountain Land Physical Therapy Partners clinics throughout Utah, Idaho, and Montana.
What can I gain from electrical stimulation?
When used by a licensed physical therapist, electrical stimulation can help you:
- Reduce or control acute and chronic pain.
- Decrease swelling and inflammation.
- Prevent or reverse muscle atrophy after injury or surgery, with studies showing higher quadriceps strength, particularly after knee replacement.
- Improve muscle strength and coordination.
- Increase local blood flow for faster healing.
- Improve range of motion and body awareness (biofeedback).
Your therapist will decide which mode is best for you after a full evaluation.
Will electrical stimulation hurt?
No. In fact, the intensity of electrical stimulation of the muscle or sensory nerve can be easily adjusted to each patient’s tolerance.
Electrical stimulation offers a variety of modes to stimulate nerves, with a meta-analysis of 381 trials demonstrating their effectiveness.
These modes all consist of different currents, and the current you are prescribed will be dependent upon the nature of your condition and the severity of it.
Electrical stimulation utilizes various modes depending on your condition:
- TENS: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for pain control.
- Interferential: High-frequency stimulation for deep tissue penetration.
- Russian: Often used for muscle strengthening and re-education.
- Pre-modulated & Bi-phasic: Specialized currents for swelling and pain management.
Some patients report feeling a small sensation, such as a “tingly,” “prickly,” or “pins and needles” feeling.
When used for muscle strengthening, electrical stimulation can sometimes feel a bit uncomfortable, but it should never cause pain.
What will an electrical stimulation treatment session look like?
Here’s what typically happens:
- Your therapist cleans the skin and places small, sticky electrodes around the target area.
- The unit is turned on at a very low setting and gradually raised to a level that feels comfortable, often with mild tingling or a gentle muscle twitch.
- You relax for 10–20 minutes while the machine runs. You can talk with your therapist or rest.
- When the timer ends, the therapist removes the pads, inspects your skin, and may follow up with stretching, exercise, or other therapies.
The whole process is painless for most people and is easily adjusted if you feel discomfort.
Is electrical stimulation therapy safe during pregnancy?
Electrical stimulation, especially TENS, is usually not recommended when near the abdomen or low back region during pregnancy unless approved by your doctor.
If your provider permits it, do not place pads on the abdomen or lower back before 37 weeks, and keep them away from the uterus.
Always talk with your OB-GYN or midwife before using any e-stim device while pregnant.
Can I place electrical stimulation pads on my chest?
No. Never place electrodes across the chest or from front to back. Doing so can affect heart rhythm and breathing. Keep pads away from the heart, neck, and head unless a healthcare professional specifically instructs otherwise.
Interested in starting electrical stimulation?
If you are interested in learning more about electrical stimulation or think it could benefit you, contact Mountain Land Physical Therapy Partners today to request an appointment.
Our skilled physical therapists can help you get started on the path to pain relief and recovery!