GMU:My Computer, Max, and I/Camille Chalubert

From Medien Wiki

PROJECT : Electrotherapy to ease pain


Why Electricity?

When you feel nerve pain, an electrical signal is sent from a damaged nerve to your brain. Electrical stimulation for nerve pain works by sending out its own electrical impulses. These charges seem to interrupt or block the pain signals, reducing the pain you feel.


Types of Electrotherapy

All electrotherapy devices have certain similarities, such as using battery power to apply current to electrodes. The therapies vary in frequencies, waveforms, and effects, however. These are some of the most commonly used kinds of electrotherapy:

   Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
   Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS)
   Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS)
   Interferential current (IFC)
   Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF)
   Galvanic stimulation (GS)


BUT : Electrotherapy Side Effects

- irritation or rash, caused by the adhesives in the electrodes or the tape holding the electrodes in place. Overusing electrotherapy may cause a burning feeling in the skin. =) duration of therapy should be followed closely to avoid a problem.

- Placing the pads over the heart or over pacemaker leads could cause cardiac arrhythmia and placing them over a pregnant woman's abdomen could cause fetal damage.