What is Interferential Current Therapy?

Interferential current therapy is commonly used to treat pain caused by trauma, surgery, and injuries. Using ICT to help patients recover faster is the ultimate goal of physical therapy or rehab. There are very few side effects from this drug-free, non-invasive therapy. In comparison to other forms of EMS, ICT utilizes a high frequency energy that penetrates past the skin's surface. Despite its deep penetration, it does not cause discomfort and targets the source of pain.

**How does it work? **

The goal of interferential current therapy is to stimulate damaged tissues in the body with small amounts of electrical stimulation. By stimulating the body's natural method for responding to pain and increasing blood flow, this treatment enhances the healing process.

For targeted therapy, interferential currents penetrate deeply into muscle or nerve fibers. Among other benefits, this effect is part of what makes ICT such an effective treatment, yet it is free of some of the discomfort related to low-frequency stimulations.

What conditions are treated by ICT?

Among the many uses of ICT are:

• Strains of muscles,
• Spasticity,
• Injuries due to sports
• Damage to joints,
• Back/neck/ shoulder injuries,
• Edema,
• Post-surgical

Inflammation and swelling caused by arthritis or inflammation, surgery, muscle injury, and muscle damage can be relieved by this therapy. A primary goal of the treatment is to reduce pain, promote healing, and speed recovery. Patients' pain management programs often include interferential current therapy. Chronic pain and acute injuries can both be treated using it.

Interferential current therapy has numerous advantages

• Pain control alternatives that are safe and effective
• The procedure is relatively painless
• Low side effects
• Non-addictive
• Pain can be managed by patients
• By stimulating endorphins, you assist the body’s natural healing process by increasing blood circulation in the affected area. The use of ICT reduces and eliminates swelling and inflammation. Furthermore, it can enhance joint mobility.

Patient Expectations When Using ICT

Despite being frightening or uneasy at first, ICT is painless and safe. ICT is actually more comfortable and side effect-free than other types of electrical stimulation, according to most patients. There is a tingling sensation on the skin that people describe as a sensation of pins and needles.
Typically, sessions of the interferential current therapy last about 9 to 15 minutes. In this process, four electrode pads will be attached to the treatment area by the physiotherapist. Current intensity regulators supply the frequencies required by the pads through wires.

When Interferential Current Therapy Should Not Be Used

Patients who have pacemakers or severe health conditions should avoid this type of therapy, as well as young children and pregnant women.