Electrotherapy is an evidence-based physiotherapy treatment that uses controlled electrical energy to reduce pain, stimulate muscles, and promote tissue healing. At Care Rehab Physio in East Auckland, we incorporate electrotherapy as part of a comprehensive, individualised rehabilitation programme to help you recover faster and more effectively.

 

What is Electrotherapy?

Electrotherapy involves the use of specialised devices that deliver targeted electrical impulses to specific areas of the body. These impulses can help:

• Reduce pain and inflammation

• Improve muscle activation and strength

• Enhance blood circulation

• Promote tissue healing

​​

What Can Electrotherapy Help With?

Electrotherapy is suitable for a wide range of conditions, including:

• Acute injuries (muscle strains, ligament sprains)

• Chronic pain (neck, back, shoulder pain)

• Post-surgical rehabilitation (ACL, hip/knee replacement, shoulder surgery)

• Tendinopathies (rotator cuff, tennis elbow, Achilles)

• Muscle weakness or inhibition

• Joint pain and inflammation

👉 It is particularly useful when pain or weakness is limiting your ability to exercise effectively.

 

Interferential Current Therapy (IFC)

IFC uses intersecting electrical currents to penetrate deeper into tissues, providing effective pain relief and improving circulation.

Best for:

• Acute and chronic pain

• Joint inflammation

• Lower back and neck pain

• Muscle spasm

 

Premodulated IFC (Premod IFC)

Premod IFC delivers similar benefits to IFC but is more targeted and efficient, making it ideal for smaller or localised treatment areas.

Best for:

• Localised pain

• Trigger points

• Soft tissue injuries

• Quick, targeted pain relief

 

Biphasic TENS

TENS therapy uses low-level electrical stimulation to reduce pain by blocking pain signals and promoting natural endorphin release.

Best for:

• Chronic pain conditions

• Acute pain flare-ups

• Pain management alongside rehab

• Patients sensitive to stronger stimulation

 

Russian Stimulation

Russian stimulation produces strong muscle contractions to improve strength and muscle bulk.

Best for:

• Post-surgical muscle weakness

• Quadriceps activation (e.g. after knee surgery)

• Muscle atrophy

• Strength rebuilding

 

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)

NMES stimulates motor nerves to improve muscle activation and coordination, especially when voluntary contraction is difficult.

Best for:

• ACL rehabilitation

• Rotator cuff injuries

• Post joint replacement

• Neuromuscular re-education