ABSTRACT
In electrotherapy three types of current are used: low, medium and high frequency. Low frequency currents consist of simple unmodified pulses which can be unmodulated, such as galvanic, faradic and sinusoidal currents. Medium frequency currents are particularly useful in interferential therapy. High frequency currents are used to remove tissue and have surgical applications. Ultrasound is particularly effective when used together with iontherapy to treat tenosynovitis, ligamentitis, general ligamentary pain, sprains, joint lesions and lacerations. When applied to the area around the spinous processes, it is also useful for the treatment of spinal problems such as lumbago and inter-spinous ligamentitis. Lasers act at the molecular level, with three principal effects: cellular, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic. Laser also seems to be effective for treating ligaments and tendons when combined with the classical therapeutic techniques. During the initial period of treatment, ointments that are purely anti-inflammatory or used in conjunction with a neutral cream to prevent skin reactions can be applied.
