Ultrasound & IFT

At some point in our lives, we face body or muscle pain. At that time, we wait for the pain to subside on its own or visit a physiotherapist. But if the pain becomes chronic and continues for a long time, it needs the application of some advanced medical procedures. 𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐋 offers premium Ultrasound & IFT Physiotherapy treatment led by renowned Spine Sports and Joint Replacement & Orthopaedic Consultant Dr R. SARAVANAN.

Ultrasound Physiotherapy

Ultrasound therapy is a type of electrotherapy and is predominantly used for its non-thermal effect where high-frequency sound waves are used to cause vibrations and movement of cellular fluids.

Ultrasound devices use ultrasound/ultrasonic measures to perform physiotherapies. There are sound waves of different frequencies applied to the machine and they behave differently for each user. These frequencies vary between the ranges of 800,000-2,000,000 Hz.

These sound waves penetrate the skin up to 4 cm deep inside muscles and body tissues. When the treatment is applied, the affected area comes under deep heating that helps in reducing pain and brings back the sensation to the muscles that have lost mobility.

Benefits of Ultrasound Physiotherapy

• It improves the healing rate of certain soft tissues.
• Increase blood flow to an area to accelerate the resolution time of the inflammatory process.
• Stimulate the production of collagen (protein in tendons and ligaments) for tissue healing

IFT -Interferential Therapy

IFT stands for Interferential Therapy. It is a type of electrotherapy used for managing pain. It is generally used for treating chronic, post-traumatic, and post-surgical pain. The major advantage of IFT is that it can produce effects in the tissue exactly at the spot where it is required without unnecessary skin stimulation. This treatment is extensively done to elicit muscle contraction, promote healing and reduce edema.

What is IFT?

The principle of interferential therapy involves the use of two medium-frequency currents that are slightly different in frequencies to interfere with one another. It is a wider concept known as Interferential Treatment. The method finds its name that it uses safe levels of electric current so that it will interfere with the natural working of the tissues and also stimulates them.

The frequency and the levels currently used for IFT treatment in physiotherapy are carefully controlled and varied by experienced physiotherapists. This process stimulates parasympathetic nerve fibers leading to an increase in blood flow and the subsequent healing. This process aims to trigger the body’s self-healing process. It makes sure that the effects last beyond 15 minutes to 1 hour. It uses the effects of low frequencies (<250pps) without painful or unpleasant side effects.

Procedure of IFT

If a patient visits a physiotherapist to receive IFT treatment for back pain, he or she has to go through the following process: –

The physiotherapist will use a device that has four electrodes. It has a regulator to control the current frequency and intensity. An electrode gel is first applied to the area where IFT treatment is to be done. The electrodes are then placed on the identified area above the gel, perpendicular to each other.

Then, two different frequencies of current are passed via the electrodes with a frequency difference of nearly 100Hz. The current passes through the skin and reaches the area causing the pain. The sensation produced by the interference of the current stimulates the tissues, increases the blood flow, and starts triggering the self-healing process of the body. This is why IFT is very effective for back pain and has high demand as it is non-invasive and effective.