Types of Electrical Stimulation Used by Hand Doctors
Electric Stimulation, sometimes referred to by hand doctors and physical therapists as “EStim”, is a type of therapy that uses electrical currents to stimulate the nerves. These currents simulate the same electrical pathways within the body that are used during exercise or movement. EStim is a type of therapeutic treatment that serves many different purposes in physical therapy. It can be used to decrease pain, reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and help muscles contract properly.
Electrical stimulation is typically used as part of a comprehensive physical therapy program after an injury or illness. Generally, EStim will not be as effective if it is used alone without attending physical therapy. Advanced EStim therapies can reduce pain, promote healing, prevent muscle atrophy, and restore function in patients recovering from injuries or managing chronic conditions.
Board Certified Oakland County hand doctor Dr. Rehman will determine if EStim therapy is right for your specific needs, and explain the gains that can be expected for your individual condition and therapy plan. In this article she explains the different types of electrical stimulation to help you understand how it is commonly used in physical therapy of conditions of the hand.
TENS Used by Hand Doctors
TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. It is performed by placing electrodes over the painful part of the hands wrist or body. TENS is most commonly used to help decrease acute and chronic pain. TENS works by supplying electrical currents that alter or interrupt the pain signals that travel from injured tissues to the brain.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) works by delivering low-voltage electrical currents through electrodes placed on the skin, interfering with pain signal transmission to the brain. The technology allows for precise control of frequency and intensity, enabling customized treatment protocols for different hand and wrist conditions.
TENS proves particularly effective in treating carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and post-surgical pain management. Clinical studies show significant pain reduction in patients using TENS for repetitive strain injuries of the hand and wrist. The therapy can also help reduce medication dependence during rehabilitation.
NMES Used by Hand Doctors
NEEMS stands for Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation. It is often used by hand doctors and physical therapist to help your muscles contract properly after injury or surgery. Basically, electrically currents are used to “re-educate” the nerves and muscle, helping the patient to return to normal function quickly after an injury or surgery.
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) applies electrical impulses to stimulate muscle contractions, preventing atrophy and maintaining strength during recovery periods. The technology delivers controlled electrical pulses that mimic natural nerve signals, activating specific muscle groups in the hand and forearm.
NMES applications include preventing muscle weakness during immobilization after fractures or surgery, treating nerve compression syndromes, and rehabilitating after tendon repairs. The therapy helps maintain muscle strength and promote blood flow while natural healing occurs.
NMES is also used to help patients perform functional tasks. In these cases, the NMES unit is applied to the body, with switches that control when the electrical stimulation is on or off. So, for example, when performing a task such as grasping, the switch controlling stimulation of the hand or finger muscles is turned on – helping them contract.
Interferential Current (IFC) Used by Hand Doctors
IFC, or Inferential Current electrical stimulation, is frequently used by hand doctors and physical therapists to help decrease pain and improve circulation to injured tissues. IFC works much like TENS, but the current can be more easily moved and varied to target your most painful area of injury.
IFC therapy utilizes two medium-frequency currents that intersect within the tissue, creating a therapeutic low-frequency stimulation at the intersection point. This technology penetrates deeper than TENS while causing less skin resistance, allowing for effective treatment of deep tissue conditions.
This modality excels in treating deep tissue pain, reducing inflammation in conditions like De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, and managing chronic regional pain syndromes affecting the hand and wrist. The deeper penetration makes it particularly effective for treating conditions involving deeper structures of the hand and wrist.
High Voltage Stimulation Used by Hand Doctors
High Voltage Electrical Stimulation also uses mild electrical current stimulation to help decrease your pain or improve circulation. It is also sometimes used to facilitate wound healing. The high voltage stimulation stimulates the growth of new cells near the wound, which can speed healing.
High Voltage Stimulation delivers brief, high-voltage pulses that help reduce edema and promote tissue healing. The technology’s unique waveform characteristics allow for deep penetration while maintaining patient comfort. This treatment proves especially effective in managing post-traumatic and post-surgical swelling of the hand and wrist. It also shows promise in promoting wound healing and reducing chronic edema associated with various hand conditions.
Electrical stimulation can be a useful tool to supplement your physical therapy or rehab program. However, it is a passive treatment in which the patient does very little while the hand doctor or physical therapist the electrical stimulation. Successful rehab or physical therapy typically should also include an active component of exercise and movement, to be effective.
Emerging Electrical Stimulation Technologies
Other state-of-the-art electrical stimulation technologies continue to emerge. Targeted Microelectric Current (TMC) therapy represents a newer advancement, using precisely controlled micro-amperage currents to stimulate cellular repair and regeneration. Early studies show promise in accelerating healing of ligament and tendon injuries.
Peripheral Nerve Field Stimulation (PNfS) offers a minimally invasive option for chronic pain management, using small electrical leads placed under the skin to target specific peripheral nerves. This technology shows particular promise for patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) of the hand.
Best Oakland County Hand Doctor
If you are suffering from an injury or pain in your fingers, wrist, elbow or arm, contact board certified Oakland County hand surgeon Doctor Rehman for a comprehensive evaluation and consultation. As with any medical condition, early detection, and a prompt and comprehensive treatment plan is the most effective way to treat conditions of the hand, wrist and arm – and ensure that you recovery as rapidly and fully as possible.
Doctor Rehman will assess your individual situation, and prescribe the treatments, including physical therapy, EStim, or other protocols that are best for your condition.
