Electric stimulation is used therapeutically to reduce pain, increase circulation, and promote healing. Electrodes are applied directly to the skin, and deliver low voltage intermittent stimulation to the surface nerves of the skin. Transmission of pain signals are blocked by the release of endorphins, allowing healing.
The use of electrical therapies dates to times before electricity was invented. Records shows that the use of electric ray fish was used by the ancient Greeks and Romans for treating gout . With invention of electricity different electrical stimulation instruments were introduces and just like with computers the instruments used to be quite large machines. With today's technology different electrical modalities are available and they are very effective and also very portable.
Due to long historical use of electrical modalities there are numerous studies available to support the use of these therapies. For example, very common stifle injuries in dogs (and horses) are the CrCL - comparable to knee injury of ACL in people. Research shows if dogs are treated with electrical stimulation as part of the post-surgery rehabilitation process, that the dogs receiving electrical stimulation treatments gained larger muscle mass, had much greater range of motion and significantly fewer bony changes and had less cartilage damage. It has been concluded that electrical stimulations provides early and protected return to function as well as the possibility of decreased degenerative joint disease (DJD). Electrical stimulation also decreases chances of re-injuries.
Technical Detail
Electrical stimulation is non-invasive, and can be used to treat chronic or acute pain. Benefits include pain relief, reduced post exercise soreness, reduced edema, and improved muscle strength. Electrotherapy is helpful in treating and preventing atrophy, joint swelling, muscle weakness, and tendinitis.
Gallery
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Common Conditions treated with Electrical Stimulation
- Pain relief and management of post injury or exercise soreness
- Atrophy prevention and treatment
- Injury prevention
- Maintaining bone mass post injury and during inactivity
- Increasing range of motion and increasing muscle strength
- Correction of structural abnormalities
- Accelerating wound healing
- Edema reduction
What do our customers say?
My mare, KD, had an electrical muscle stimulation treatment a few days ago. Shortly after that, she was scheduled for a shoeing. My ferrier told me "this was the best shoeing I have had [with KD]!" KD suffers from sore lower back and pelvic pain, making holding her legs up during shoeing difficult. I am so pleased she has had this relief!
Carolyn Ramirez
