Electrical stimulation is a safe and effective treatment that can help relieve pain and support recovery for a variety of conditions. This therapy uses self-adhesive electrodes placed around the targeted area on your body. These electrodes connect to a device via wires, delivering gentle electrical impulses that interact with your sensory and motor nerves.

If you’re struggling with pain and seeking relief, electrical stimulation might be the solution for you. Contact Snyder Physical Therapy in Tower City, PA today to schedule an appointment and discover how this therapy can help you.

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How Will Electrical Stimulation Benefit Me?

Your comfort, safety, and dignity are our top priorities. At your initial appointment, you’ll undergo a thorough physical examination and discuss your current condition and medical history. Based on this, one of our licensed physical therapists will design a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.

If electrical stimulation is deemed beneficial for you, your therapist will explain the process in detail and include it as part of your treatment. During the session, you’ll be comfortably seated or lying down while the target area’s skin is cleaned and prepared. Your therapist will then carefully guide you through every step of the treatment to ensure a safe and effective experience.

Will Electrical Stimulation Hurt Me?

Simply put — no! The intensity of electrical stimulation, whether targeting muscles or sensory nerves, can be easily adjusted to match each patient’s comfort level.

There are several modes of electrical stimulation, each using different types of currents tailored to your condition and its severity. These include:

  • Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
  • Interferential
  • Pre-modulated
  • Russian
  • Symmetrical or asymmetrical bi-phasic currents

Many patients describe the sensation as a mild “tingling,” “prickling,” or “pins and needles.” When used for muscle strengthening, the stimulation might feel a bit uncomfortable but should never cause pain.

What Should I Expect from Electrical Stimulation?

Electrical stimulation is often prescribed for pain management because it activates natural pain-relieving pathways in your nervous system. It stimulates specific sensory nerve fibers (A-beta, A-delta, and C fibers) to reduce pain sensations and trigger the release of neurotransmitters that prolong pain relief.

Other benefits include:

  • Decreasing swelling
  • Reducing muscle spasms
  • Improving range of motion
  • Increasing local circulation
  • Enhancing motor coordination
  • Providing neuromuscular re-education
  • Offering biofeedback to improve body awareness
  • Preventing or reversing muscle atrophy, especially after immobilization
  • Controlling or eliminating both acute and chronic pain

Electrical stimulation is safe to use on nearly every part of the body—even sensitive areas like the anterior neck or eyes, and over skin with damage or reduced sensation.

Who Should Avoid Electrical Stimulation?

Electrical stimulation isn’t suitable for everyone. It’s generally not recommended for people who:

  • Have deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
  • Are pregnant
  • Use pacemakers or other implanted electrical devices
  • Have impaired cognition that limits understanding or communication

Common Conditions Treated with Electrical Stimulation:

  • Repetitive stress injuries
  • Ligament sprains
  • Muscle strains
  • Acute injuries from sports or auto accidents
  • Neurological conditions, including stroke recovery

If you think electrical stimulation could help with your pain or recovery, contact Snyder Physical Therapy in Tower City, PA to schedule a consultation.

Consult with a Physical Therapist Today!

If you want to learn more about electrical stimulation or believe it could help you, contact us today to schedule an appointment. We’re ready to help you begin your journey toward pain relief and recovery!

Snyder Physical Therapy proudly serves Tower City, PA, and the surrounding communities of Williamstown, Dayton, and Elizabethville, PA.