E.M.S.
Electrical Muscle Stimulation has been used to treat pain for over 100 years. EMS is used to reduce / eliminate muscle spasms, block pain signals, promote the release of endorphins (natural pain killers), all of which reduces pain. Several different electrical stimulation approaches exist, with each producing a slightly different effect.
Micro Current Therapy is a sound wave therapy mixed with a very low electrical current. This works on the cellular level and by stimulating cells, it provides very fast changes in an injured area. Microcurrent is used for: arthritis, tendinitis, sprains, strains, spasms, reduced healing time from fractures, and improved circulation.
Russian Muscle Stimulation was originally developed by the Russian Olympic team for muscle mass enhancement, but is now often used to improve muscle strength, reduce muscle spasms and edema.
Interferential introduces tiny electrical impulses that runs into the muscles and surrounding tissues. When these waves intersect below the surface of the skin, you get very low frequency stimulation, thus encouraging the body to secrete endorphins and other natural painkillers to help relieve pain. It is useful in a number of situations we encounter on a daily basis, especially acute pain due to muscle strain / injury type situations.
ULTRASOUND
Many people are familiar with "diagnostic ultrasonography, which is used to 'see' deep inside the body by bouncing sound waves off the body's structures to create an image. This is what a baby ultrasound would be. There is another method of ultrasound which people are typically less familiar with that is therapeutic in nature.
Treatment is administered directly over the area of complaint / injury by using a round-headed wand / applicator that is put in direct contact with the skin. Ultrasound gel is used on all surfaces of the head in order to reduce friction and assist in the transmission of the sound waves from the ultrasound wand to the tissues. Various frequency sound waves are emitted from the head which can cause a number of physiological responses in the body: increased blood flow, reduce muscle spasm, repair damaged tissue, and to speed up the healing process. By adjusting the frequency used for the treatment, we can target tissues for healing, to break them up (trigger points, scar tissue, adhesions), or to reduce pain.
HEAT / COLD
The application of superficial heat improves circulation by causing dilation of blood vessels. Other benefits include: increased flexibility of your tendons and ligaments, reduced muscle spasms, alleviation of pain, and increased metabolism. Of course, all of this tends to lead to pain reduction.
The application of superficial cold (cryotherapy) has the opposite effect. This will cause blood vessels to constrict, which causes reduced swelling and lowers overall metabolic activity. The nerve cell activity slows which causes a reduction of pain. Using cold for muscle pain is effective because the muscle is then much less sensitive to being stretched.
INFRARED
The lamp emits a special band of 'far-infrared' waves ranging from 2 to 25 microns in wavelength that coincides with the wavelengths and intensity of the electromagnetic radiations coming from the body. As a result, these waves are readily absorbed by the body.
These waves are known to cause the following effects in the human body:
- Raises temperature in tissue.
- Expansion of capillary vessels.
- Rejuvenation of cells.
- Promotion of blood circulation.
- Helps to move toxins from cells.
- Improvement in Lymphatic system.
The far infrared heat lamp was originally invented in China by scientists and doctors. The lamp has a number of benefits and we mainly use the lamp in our office to reduce inflammation and ease musculoskeletal pain, often as an adjunct to our acupuncture therapy. This warm radiant deep heat is very soothing and works very well with the acupuncture treatment.