The document discusses various techniques of low frequency stimulation, specifically using faradic current in water baths for muscle stimulation and the treatment of conditions like contractures and pelvic floor dysfunction. It outlines procedures for applying current to different muscles, advantages and disadvantages of the bath method, and settings for successful treatment. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of active patient involvement and specific surge settings during treatments.

1. Low Frequency Stimulation
Specialized Techniques
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2. Faradic Foot Bath
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3. Bath Method
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Application of faradic current to the body parts in a
tub, tray or tank containing water is termed as bath
method of application
●
Depending upon the placement of electrodes bath
can be
●
●
Bipolar : both electrodes are kept in the water
Unipolar : one electrode kept in the water while
the other electrode kept at any convenient part of
the body
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4. Bath Method
Advantage of bath method are:
● Skin resistance is lowered considerably by
prolonged soaking in water
● Water makes perfect contact with the tissues
● Wash of electrolytes formed under the electrodes
Disadvantages are:
● Current can not be localized
● Superficial muscles contract more than deep
muscles due to the presence of water
● Chances of electric shock is higher
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5. Faradic Foot Bath
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ES by faradic current may be applied in
baths.
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Can be used to stimulate
● Lumbricals
● Plantar interrossei
● Abductor hallucis
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6. Faradic Foot Bath
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Position the patient in high sitting with back well
supported
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Position the feet on a stool covered with a
plastic sheet
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Place the foot in a bath containing enough
warm water to cover the toes
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7. Faradic Foot Bath
To stimulate the
lumbricals place two
electrodes transversely,
●
one under the heel
and the other
●
under the metatarsal
heads
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8. Faradic Foot Bath
To stimulate the
plantar interrossei
place one electrode
on each side of the
foot at the level of
metatarsal shafts
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9. Faradic Foot Bath
For Abductor hallucis
place
● one electrode
under the heel and
●
stimulate the
muscle through the
motor point using
a pen electrode
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10. Faradic Foot Bath
●
A surged faradic current is used for this
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Surge duration 1 sec.
●
Surge interval 3 sec.
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Intensity : enough to produce a visible
contraction of the muscles.
●
Treatment time: 15 – 30 minutes
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11. Faradic Foot Bath
●
Rectangular metal or carbon rubber electrodes of
3 X 7 cm can be used
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No lint pad or coupling medium required
●
Encourage the patient to contract the muscle
voluntarily with the current
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12. Faradism Under Pressure
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13. Faradism Under Pressure
●
ES of muscle combined with compression and
elevation of the limb can be used to increase
venous and lymphatic drainage and so to
relieve edema.
●
This technique is known as Faradism Under
Pressure
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14. Faradism Under Pressure
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Patient in supine position
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The limb is elevated above the heart level using
pillows
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The pressure bandage is applied over the electrode,
with maximum pressure distal to proximal
●
The skin must be cleaned before treatment
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15. Faradism Under Pressure
Placement of electrode for lower limb:
● Active electrode place over the belly of the calf
muscle
● Passive electrode is placed over the sole of the foot
Placement of electrode for upper limb:
● Active electrode over the flexor aspect of forearm at
the junction of proximal 1/3 and distal 2/3 of the
muscle belly
● The passive electrode over the palm or cubital
fossa
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16. Faradism Under Pressure
●
A surged faradic current is used for this
●
Surge duration 3 sec.
●
Surge interval 9 sec.
●
Intensity : enough to produce a visible contraction
of the muscles i.e. clenching of toes or fingers.
●
Treatment time: 15 – 30 minutes
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17. Faradism Under Pressure
●
Rectangular metal or carbon rubber electrodes of
3 X 5 cm. can be used
●
Encourage the patient to do active movement
along with the current and relax during surge
interval
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18. Faradism Under Tension
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19. Faradism Under Tension
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●
●
●
●
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Shortening of contractile soft tissues like muscles can
be treated with Faradism.
Such contractures develop in major muscle groups like
quadriceps or elbow flexor group
This is mostly after prolonged immobilization
These conditions are passively mobilized which can be
very painful.
Titanic contraction by the surged current gradually pulls
apart the shortened myofibrils with less pain.
So this can be an effective adjunctive with passively
mobilization.
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20. Faradism Under Tension
●
A surged faradic current is used for this
●
Surge duration 3 sec.
●
Surge interval 9 sec.
●
Intensity : enough to produce a visible contraction of the
muscles.
●
Treatment time: 15 – 30 minutes
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21. Faradism Under Tension
●
Rectangular metal or carbon rubber electrodes of
5 X 10 cm can be used.
●
Encourage the patient to do actively contract the
muscle along with the current and relax during
surge interval
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22. Faradism Under Tension
For quadriceps contracture:
●
Patient is positioned on a plinth.
●
A roll of towel or pillow is placed below the knee to give
a stretch
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Passive electrode is placed over proximal 1/3 of the
quadriceps
●
Active electrode is placed on the junction of proximal 2/3
and distal 1/3 of the belly of the muscle
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23. Faradism Under Tension
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24. Faradism Under Tension
For elbow flexor contracture:
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Patient is positioned on a plinth.
●
A roll is placed under the elbow just proximal to the joint.
●
Passive electrode is placed over proximal 1/3 of the
elbow flexor
●
Active electrode is placed on distal 1/3 of the belly of the
muscle
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25. ES to Pelvic Floor Muscles
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26. ES to Pelvic Floor Muscles
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ES can be used for reeducating these muscles.
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Indications are;
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Early cases of prolapse of pelvic organs
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Stress incontinence
●
Incontinence following prostatectomy
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27. ES to Pelvic Floor Muscles
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Position the patient in side lying
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Keep a pillow between the lower legs
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Place a plastic sheet under the patient
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The indifferent electrode to the lumbosacral region
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Insert the Active vaginal or rectal electrode
●
Sterilized lubrication jelly should be applied on vaginal
or rectal electrode
●
A large button electrode can also be used over the
perinea region
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28. ES to Pelvic Floor Muscles
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A surged faradic current is used.
●
Surge duration 1 sec.
●
Surge interval 3 sec.
●
The muscles of pelvic floor fatigue fast, so surge
duration should be short
●
Intensity : enough to produce a visible contraction of the
muscles.
●
Treatment time: 15 – 30 minutes
●
Encourage the patient to actively contract the muscles
along with the current and relax during surge interval
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29. References
1.
Foster A, Palastanga N. Clayton’s Electroptherapy Theory and
Practice. 9th edition. W B Saunders. 2006;pp 70 – 79
2.
Mitra PK. Handbook of Practical Electrotherapy. Jaypee. 2006;
pp44 – 49
3.
Khatri S. Basics of Electrotherapy. Jaypee. 2003. pp 28 - 30
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30. THANK YOU
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