TENS
A gentle buzzing or tingling that helps block pain signals, so you can move and exercise more comfortably.
What is electrotherapy?
Electrotherapy uses small electrical currents, delivered through sticky pads on your skin, to work on your nerves and muscles.
Depending on the setting, it can help quiet pain signals so you can move more comfortably, or make a weak muscle contract so it starts working again after an injury.
It’s never used on its own. It supports hands-on treatment and exercise, especially early on when pain or weakness makes exercise hard.
Comfortable for most people. You control how strong it feels.
Types of electrotherapy
Your physiotherapist picks the type and setting that suits your problem.
Muscle stimulation
Makes a muscle tighten and relax on its own, to help wake it up after an injury or surgery.
Interferential current
Two currents that cross deeper in the tissue, used for deeper aches and swelling.
Electrotherapy may help if
- Pain is making it hard to move or exercise
- A muscle is weak after an injury or surgery
- You have swelling after a sprain or strain
- You want relief between hands-on treatments
It’s usually not used if you
- Have a pacemaker or other implanted device
- Are pregnant (over the belly or lower back)
- Have broken or irritated skin in the area
- Have a blood clot, infection or tumour in the area
What electrotherapy is often used for
Always alongside hands-on therapy and exercises.
- Acute back and neck pain
- Muscle spasms
- Swelling after a sprain
- Weak muscles after injury
- Recovery after surgery
- Whiplash
- Sports strains
- Knee pain
- Shoulder pain
- Pain that limits exercise
Don’t see your problem? Call 604-428-3266 and ask.
What a session looks like
- 1
Check in
We ask how things have been and re-test how you move.
- 2
Pads on
Small sticky pads go on the skin around the area.
- 3
Stimulation
We turn it up slowly until it feels strong but comfortable.
- 4
Hands-on and exercises
We follow with hands-on work and exercises.
Often combined with
Electrotherapy questions
Here are some of the most common questions patients ask.
If you don’t find the answer you need, feel free to contact us!
Is electrotherapy safe?
Yes, for most people. Your physiotherapist checks first whether it suits you. It’s usually avoided if you have a pacemaker, are pregnant (over the belly or lower back), or have broken skin, a blood clot, an infection or a tumour in the area.
Is this the same as a TENS machine?
TENS is one type of electrotherapy. In the clinic, your physiotherapist can choose different types and settings depending on whether the goal is pain relief, muscle activation or swelling.
How long does it take?
Usually 10 to 15 minutes of your visit. The rest of the session is hands-on work and exercises.
Will electrotherapy fix my problem on its own?
No, and we don’t use it that way. It helps manage pain and activate muscles so the hands-on work and exercises in your plan can do their job.
Ready to find out what’s going on?
Same week appointments available. Most insurance accepted.