INTERFERENTIAL THERAPY

Interferential therapy is a type of TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) which has two alternating currents that are applied to the skin. Either two or four pads are applied around the area that needs to be treated.  The physiotherapist controls the machine and adjusts the current as is needed. The patient will feel a mild to strong tingling sensation over the skin and the treatment usually lasts between 10 and 20 minutes with the patient positioned comfortably throughout. When muscle stimulation is required, the muscle that lies between the pads may twitch or sometimes fully contract depending on how strong the stimulation is.

Interferential therapy is effective in the treatment of:

• Acute soft tissue/sports injuries
• Swelling/oedema
• Muscle spasm
• Musculoskeletal pain including low back pain, knee pain and shoulder pain to name a few.