What is Interferential Therapy? - MS Thera Cure

Interferential therapy (IFT) is a type of electrotherapy that uses two medium-frequency currents that interfere with each other to produce a low-frequency current that has therapeutic effects. It can help reduce pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms, as well as improve blood circulation and tissue healing.

According to Physiopedia, IFT was introduced by Dr. Nemec in the early 1950s to overcome the discomfort caused by low-frequency currents. The principle of IFT is to apply two alternating medium-frequency currents to the body in such a way that they produce an amplitude-modulated low-frequency current within the body. This low-frequency current is called the interferential current or the beat frequency, and it can be varied from 1 Hz to 150 Hz depending on the desired effect.

IFT has several advantages over other types of electrotherapy, such as:

• It has a lower skin resistance, which makes it more comfortable and tolerable for the patient.
• It can penetrate deeper into the tissues and reach the target area more effectively.
• It can stimulate both sensory and motor nerves, which can modulate pain perception and muscle contraction.
• It can use different frequencies and patterns of modulation to achieve different therapeutic outcomes, such as pain relief, muscle relaxation, edema reduction, etc.

IFT can be applied using different types of electrodes, such as plate electrodes or vacuum electrodes. The electrodes are placed on the skin over or around the affected area, and the current intensity and frequency are adjusted according to the patient's comfort and response. The treatment duration can vary from 10 to 30 minutes depending on the condition and the goal of the therapy.

IFT is indicated for various musculoskeletal and neurological conditions, such as:

• Chronic pain
• Post-traumatic pain
• Post-surgical pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Low back pain
• Neck pain
• Sciatica
• Fibromyalgia
• Muscle spasm
• Muscle strain
• Muscle atrophy
• Delayed wound healing
• Edema

However, IFT also has some contraindications and precautions, such as:

• Pacemaker or other implanted devices
• Cardiac arrhythmia or ischemia
• Pregnancy
• Cancer
• Infection
• Skin lesions or allergies
• Sensory impairment or loss
• Cognitive impairment or confusion

Therefore, IFT should be used with caution and under the guidance of a qualified physiotherapist who can assess the patient's condition and suitability for the therapy.

This blog post was written by mstheracure.com, a website that provides information and services related to physiotherapy and wellness. If you want to know more about IFT or other types of electrotherapy, you can visit our website or contact us for a consultation.