MUSCLE STIMULATOR (MS) THERAPY


WHAT IS MUSCLE STIMULATOR 

Muscle stimulator is also known as electrical neuromuscular stimulator modality or electromyostimulator modality which is defined as the electrotherapy modality used for the stimulation of muscle contraction by using electric impulses generated by the modality to penetrate the skin through the electrodes placed on the skin near the muscle being stimulated. 

COMPONENTS OF MUSCLE STIMULATOR MODALITY

Muscle stimulator modality consist of two therapeutic electric currents whereby each therapeutic electric current has its own use in the stimulation of muscle contraction: these  therapeutic electric currents include:
(1) Faradic current

(2) Galvanic current

FARADIC CURRENT

Faradic current: is a short frequency therapeutic current which can be produced by using faradic coil that's why the "term faradism" is applied to the current.
This short frequency therapeutic faradic current is of two types:

  • Plain faradic current: has single stimulation without interruption which means it is continues current 

  • Surged faradic current: has stimulation with interruption that's why it is called "modified faradic current".


EFFECTS OF FREQUENCY OF FARADIC CURRENT ON STIMULATION

If a single stimulation is applied on a muscle then there will be one complete contraction followed by comlete relaxation which is called Twitch contraction.
So if the frequency is at 20Hz then there will be good time for relaxation and if the frequency increases beyond 20Hz the time for relaxation will decrease.
when the frequency is at 80Hz, there will be no time for relaxation and physiologically the current will be flowing continuously and this is called Tetanic contraction.

PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF FARADIC CURRENT

In the human body muscles and blood are considered as good conductors of electric current. therefore, if we want to get effective therapeutic results, the impedance of the skin should be reduced which means the skin should be well moistened and washed before application of therapeutic current. 

When faradic current applied on patient's body, it causes:

  • Pricking sensation due to frequency of the therapeutic current
  • Reflex vasodilation and erythema in the superficial tissues 
the changes occuring in voluntary muscle contraction are the same changes occuring, when muscle contracts due to applied stimulation.

CRITERIA FOR CHOOSING THERAPEUTIC FARADIC CURRENT FOR TREATMENT 

(1) For stimulation of muscle contraction inhibited by pain

(2) If there is no gross effusion as it will cause difficulty in finding the motor points of the muscle

(3) If there is muscle atrophy and diminished muscle tone

(4) If the patient has no any capsular contractures or adhesions in the muscles around the joint. 

INDICATIONS 

(1) Facilitation of muscle contraction: for the patient with problem of unable to perform voluntary movement

(2) Re-education of muscle: for the patient whose his or her muscle does not perform its function or forgets its function as a result of long illness, so this therapeutic faradic current is applied in this condition for the re-education of the muscle.

(3) Neuropraxia of motor nerves: that is injury to a nerve.

CONTRAINDICATIONS 

(1) Skin lesions

(2) Infections

(3) Inflammation

(4) Thrombosis

(5) Marked loss of skin sensation

(6) Cardiac pacemaker

(7) Active tuberculosis or cancer

(8) Unreliable patients

GALVANIC CURRENT

Galvanic current: is direct electric current (DC), which is also known as constant current. its direction of polarity is constant and passes continuously in only one direction.

The galvanic current used for therapeutic purpose is called Intermittent or interrupted galvanic current which is of four (4) types:

(1) Rectangular

(2) Triangular

(3) Trapezoidal

(4) Saw-tooth

(5) Depolarized



PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF INTERMITTENT GALVANIC CURRENT

This therapeutic current has effect on stimulation of denervated muscle which means muscle that shows damage or injury to its nerve supply. therefore, if the intensity of the current and duration of the impulses are adequate, contraction of denervated muscle can be stimulated.

INDICATIONS

  • In Electrotherapy, Galvanic current is mainly used for the stimulation of denervated muscle but by using non-continuous mode because denervated muscle or group of denervated muscles cannot contract and relax, because the blood supply of such muscle/muscles is decreased.

 


 



 

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