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Electrotherapy

Advanced Pain Relief & Muscle Activation At ACE Physio Centre, we combine expert hands-on care and active rehabilitation with modern, evidence-based technology. Electrotherapy is a safe and effective tool we use to help manage your pain, reduce muscle spasms, and re-activate muscles, helping you get more from your recovery, faster. Our approach also supports electrotherapy pain management as part of a personalised physiotherapy program. 


What is Electrotherapy?

Electrotherapy is a gentle, non-invasive treatment where controlled, low-level electrical currents are applied to your body’s tissues to produce a therapeutic effect. It is not uncomfortable or scary; it’s a controlled tool used by trained physiotherapists. 

There are two main types we use: 

TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation): This treatment is for pain relief. It uses a specific frequency to stimulate your sensory nerves, which helps to “block” pain signals from reaching your brain (known as the “Pain Gate Theory”). It also encourages your body to release its own natural pain-relieving chemicals (endorphins), supporting effective electrotherapy treatment for pain. 

NMES (Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation): This method is for muscle activation. It uses a different current to cause a specific muscle or muscle group to contract. This is incredibly useful for “waking up” weak or inhibited muscles (e.g., after surgery) and helping you re-learn how to activate them properly. Book an Appointment Now!Why Choose ACE Physio Centre for Electrotherapy? Anyone can buy a machine, but only an expert knows how and when to use it effectively. At ACE Physio Centre, your care is our top priority.

  • An Integrated, Active Approach: We never use electrotherapy as a passive, standalone treatment. We use it with a specific purpose: to reduce your pain so that you can more effectively perform the active exercises and hands-on therapy that create lasting results.

  • Expert Clinical Judgement: Our physiotherapists are highly trained musculoskeletal experts. We know precisely when electrotherapy is the right choice, what settings to use for your specific condition, and, just as importantly, when not to use it.

  • Diagnosis-Led Care: We only apply electrotherapy after a thorough assessment and diagnosis. The type of current, the parameters, and the placement of the pads are all specifically chosen to target the root cause of your dysfunction.

  • One-on-One Dedicated Care: All treatment, including electrotherapy, is performed as part of your dedicated, one-on-one session with your physiotherapist, ensuring it is applied safely and effectively.

What can Electrotherapy services treat? 

We never use electrotherapy as a standalone fix. It is always integrated into a complete physiotherapy plan to help manage symptoms linked to various conditions, including:

  • Acute Pain from recent injuries or post-operative recovery

  • Chronic Pain conditions, such as lower back pain or arthritis

  • Muscle Weakness and Atrophy (e.g., helping to activate the VMO/quadriceps muscle after knee surgery)

  • Muscle Spasms and tightness

  • Swelling (Oedema) management

  • Nerve-related Pain (e.g., sciatica)

Your Questions Answered


1.How long does it last? 

A typical electrotherapy session lasts between 10 and 20 minutes. TENS pain relief can last for several hours, while the muscle-strengthening effects of NMES improve over multiple sessions as your muscles become stronger and more responsive. 


2. How many sessions will I need? 

Electrotherapy is used as part of your physiotherapy sessions—not as a separate treatment. The number of sessions depends on your injury, goals, and progress, which your therapist will discuss with you after your assessment. 


3. Does electrotherapy work? 

Yes. When used by a trained physiotherapist, electrotherapy can provide significant pain relief, reduce muscle spasm, improve circulation, and help weak muscles activate more effectively. It is especially helpful when combined with hands-on therapy and targeted exercises. 


4. Is electrotherapy safe and does it hurt? 

Electrotherapy is completely safe when applied by a qualified physiotherapist. TENS: Feels like a mild, pleasant tingling sensation—never painful. NMES: Produces gentle muscle contractions that may feel unusual at first, but not uncomfortable. 


5.Who should avoid electrotherapy? 

Electrotherapy is safe for most people, but it may not be suitable if you: - Have a pacemaker or implanted electronic device - Are pregnant (for certain areas) - Have active cancer in the treatment region - Have reduced sensation in the area being treated Your physiotherapist will assess whether it is appropriate for you before starting.


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