Electrotherapies

Whilst no piece of technology can replace human touch, there are some things that physiotherapists use to help treat efficiently and more pain-free.

Laser Therapy

As a laser is a ‘direct beam of light’, this can range from infrared to laser therapy, all with their own benefits. Different lasers have different settings, as the photobiomodulation which occurs will change depending on the type of laser.

Laser is a super helpful modality which is especially useful for our ‘less compliant’ patient! This tool is minimally invasive and can be used on a wide range of issues and in most areas of the body, meaning that even the animal that doesn’t want to be touched or ‘messed around with’ can still be treated. It by no way can replace manual treatment or is to be used in place of palpation, however it can allow us to help the patient whilst building trust with them, allowing for a more effective treatment next time.

Laser can have the following effects:

Increasing blood flow to the treated area, raising the local temperature slightly
Increase lymphatic drainage by increasing lymphatic vessel size
Release endorphins (making the patient feel good!)
Decreasing release of inflammatory chemicals

Different settings give us different results in different areas for different conditions! So laser can be used for a wide range of conditions in most areas of the body.

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy

PEMF is a great tool to have in any physiotherapist’s toolbox. PEMF alters the transfer of pain signals, via the hyperpolarisation of the cell membrane, which prevents the depolarisation required to produce a nerve impulse and so the delivery of a pain signal. This is achieved through altering calcium ion transport through the cell membrane by creating a magnetic field by directing an electrical current through a coil of wire. The result is an analgesic effect which has been demonstrated to assist in the management of pain, in both the acute and chronic form.

In short, this is a form of temporary pain relief. The reason we love this tool is because if the pain receptors can be ‘turned off’ prior to a treatment, the patient will be more receptive to palpation and we can keep patient compliance for longer. It will also slightly increase the temperature directly under the application pad, which relaxes the soft tissue structures at the same time.