Bear Creek Physiotherapy & Sports Clinic
DON’T LET PAIN STOP YOU, WE ARE HERE FOR YOUR WELLNESS!

Would you like to know how physiotherapy helps you recover from injury or condition?

Bear creek physiotherapy is one of the best sports physiotherapy clinics in surrey.

What is Electro Therapy ?

Electrotherapy is a safe and efficacious that can be used to treat a variety of conditions. So, if you have an injury or illness that causes pain or prevents you from easily moving around, our clinical physiotherapist may use this treatment as a part of your rehabilitation program which is not only the treatment you receive when attending physiotherapy clinic in surrey. As some of the modality trigger an innate and completely natural analgesic effect by stimulating specific sensory nerve fibres (including A-beta, A-delta, and C fibres) which both disrupt or decrease the sensation of pain and also elicit the release of certain neurotransmitters which can prolong the pain-relieving effects. Thus, it can be used for a wide variety of conditions, including acute sports-related or auto accident-related injuries, repetitive stress injuries, muscle strains, ligament sprains, and even neurological conditions including stroke. In our sports physiotherapy clinic following electrotherapy may be the part of your treatment based on your condition.

Benefits of Electro Therapy

Decrease pain and inflammation
Improve circulation
Relieve muscle spasm
Retrains muscles after surgery or illness

Why Choose Bear Creek Physiotherapy Clinic

Bear Creek physiotherapy is one of the best sports physiotherapy clinics in Surrey that provides your best treatment plan according to your injury or condition.

TENS

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a small device that uses low-voltage electric current which stimulates the sensory nerves and blocks or changes the perception of pain by using skin surface electrodes thus, provides pain relief.

Physical therapists, acupuncturists, and other healthcare professionals may give TENS therapy. So, it’s a non-invasive, lightweight, battery-powered device have several sets of electrode wires and sticky pads. The pad has an adhesive backing and is positioned on skin in specific areas (along nerve pathways in the area) to be treated.

As, the efficacy may depend on many factors including the type of condition (for which pain relief is sought), where should electrodes are positioned (on the skin), and the settings of the stimulation machine unit itself.

So, the people who experience pain relief from physio electric machine may be able to reduce their intake of pain medications, (some of which can be addictive or cause adverse side effects). (There are 3 types of TENS: Conventional (High), Acupuncture-like (Low), Brief Intense TENS). It works on two theories: Pain Gate Mechanism and Endogenous Opioid System.

One theory is that the electric current stimulates nerve cells that block the transmission of pain signals, modifying your perception of pain. The other theory is that nerve stimulation raises the level of endorphins, serotonin, analgesic hormones and reduction of cytokine levels this blocks the perception of pain and increases the blood flow to the muscle tissue.

The TENS should not use: pacemaker or another type of electrical or metal implant in your body, pregnant, epilepsy or a heart problem, overactive bladder, (osteomyelitis), tuberculosis, near or over eyes or mouth, front or side of neck, or on the head, reproductive organs or genitals, infected or broken skin, varicose veins, numb areas, cancer.

If this therapy will be a part of treatment than it’s should be switched off before it’s attached the pads to the skin. Then, pads are positioned on either side of the painful area either by two electrode pads (which are usually positioned either side of the area of most intense pain.) (This is done so that the TENS sensation covers the painful area.) or four electrode pads (can be used to treat a larger area of pain.) after that turn on.

The electrical impulses are delivered to the affected area of body (which reduces the pain signals going to the spinal cord and brain,) that helps in relieving pain and relax the muscles (and may also stimulate the production of endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers). However, these electrical impulses may cause a non-painful buzzing, tingling, or prickling sensation that can help to block or suppress pain messages, (which some people may find uncomfortable).

However, machine has a rotary knob or dial that allows you to control the strength of the electrical impulses until the sensation feels strong but comfortable.

The duration of pain relief after using a physiotherapy muscle stimulator machine can vary. (The switch off the machine after finished using it and removed the electrodes from skin.) (The most common complaint is an allergic type skin reaction i.e., redness or irritation it’s due to the adhesive pads, for that hypoallergenic pad are available).

TENS therapy has been used to relieve both chronic and acute pain. It helps to treat following conditions: arthritis, (period pain, endometriosis), sports injuries, Fibromyalgia, Tendinitis, Bursitis, (Labour pain), Low back pain. (postoperative pain), joint pain, (multiple sclerosis, painful diabetic neuropathy). Hence, it is safe to use and has few side effects when compared with drug therapy.

IFC

Interferential Therapy or IFT is a type of electrotherapy treatment in which two medium frequency currents are used to produce a low frequency effect. (This therapy is meant to boost the body’s natural process of responding to pain, by increasing circulation thus producing hormones that promote healing.)

This physio electric machine delivers the intermittent pulses to stimulate surface nerves and block the pain signal, by delivering continuous deep stimulation into the damaged tissues of the body.

So, the frequency of 100Hz may stimulate the large diameter A-beta fibres, which have an effect on the pain gate, and inhibit the transmission of small-diameter nociceptive traffic, which effectively closes the gait to painful impulses. Thus, to produce low frequency effects at sufficient intensity at depth, patients can experience considerable discomfort in the superficial tissues (i.e., the skin) due to impedance is inversely proportional to frequency. Interferential therapy overcomes the problem of skin impedance as two frequency current is used. So, if one of the currents is kept in constant of 4000 Hz and other can be varied between 3900 and 4000 Hz so the interference effect at that called beat frequency.

Beat frequency is equal to difference in frequency between the two currents which is produce in the tissue at the point where the two current cross.

Thus, IFT is a common pain-relieving modality without side effects (that oral painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications have) but it also has some limitations in following condition: Infective condition, Malignancy, Pacemakers, Loss of sensation, Large open wounds, Dermatological Conditions, Pregnancy, Deep vein thrombosis, Menstruation, Damaged or bruised skin, Eyes, anterior aspect of neck, Neoplasm, Epiphyseal region, Haemorrhage. (There are three patterns of sweep of Interferential therapy: Triangular, Rectangular, Trapezoidal.)

If this therapy will be a part of your treatment in physiotherapy clinic, then the effect of IFT depends upon: Frequency, Intensity of current, Electrode placement. (Frequency: 100-150Hz constant or 90-100Hz rhythmic- pain relief, 0-10Hz or 10- 50Hz rhythmic- muscle stimulation, 0-100Hz rhythmic- vasodilatation.

Intensity of current: It is controlled by therapist and the current is increased until the patient feels tingling and as accommodation occurs the intensity is increased to the point of muscle stimulation.) Electrode placement: There are 3 types of electrodes use are: Plate, Pen, Vacuum. The patient is placed in a comfortable position and the skin is prepared for the treatment.

The skin is washed, and apply petroleum jelly on the lesions. After that the electrodes are placed accurately at the treatment site. The two pairs of electrodes are positioned so that the crossing point of the two currents is over or within the lesion. The duration of treatment is between 10 – 20 minutes. IFT is commonly used for: Pain relief, Muscle stimulation, increase local blood flow, reduce oedema, Reduce muscle spasm. (The danger of IFT is Electrical burn.) IFT helps to treat following conditions: Cervical spondylosis, Osteoarthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Frozen shoulder, Disc herniation, Spinal canal stenosis, Bursitis, Tendinitis, Ligaments injuries, Muscle spasm, Incontinence, Muscle weakness.

Hence, the major advantage of IFT is that it produces effects in the tissue, exactly where required without unnecessary and uncomfortable skin stimulation.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound Therapy is a type of mechanical energy that uses sound waves which are above the range of human hearing. This ultrasound machine works by sending an electric current to transmit acoustic waves at 1 or 3MHz through crystals found in the ultrasound probe.

Thus, it’s an electrotherapy device which has been used by professionals and physiotherapists around the world for many years, as it uses heat and energy to increase circulation, decrease pain, increase flexibility, and speed healing and improve your ability to perform daily activities and tasks. (It can also penetrate deep into the tissues in ways that a hot pack can’t.)

There are some instances where ultrasound should not use at all are: open wounds, active areas of cancer, near or over a pacemaker, pregnancy, eyes, breasts, or sexual organs, fractured bones. (Parts of the body with metal implants; like in a TKR (Total Knee Replacement) or lumbar fusion.).

In two ways ultrasound can work in your body to heal and repair tissues during physiotherapy services, that are: Thermal Ultrasound Therapy and Non-thermal/Mechanical Ultrasound Therapy. Thermal Ultrasound Therapy involves the continuous transfer of sound waves resulting in small vibrations in the deep tissue molecules that increases heat and friction which results in increase metabolism and thus, accelerates healing of the soft tissues. (Used in case of a Myofascial pain, or a muscle strain or sprain, scars, or adhesions.).

Non-Thermal/Mechanical Ultrasound therapy uses single vibration of sound waves to penetrate tissue as when this energy enters the body through ultrasound it creates tiny gas bubbles that gather around the tissues and contract and expand at a rapid pace. This is called cavitation. (Used if you have Pain and Swelling such as with CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome)). If this therapy will be your part of treatment, then on the day of the therapy you should wear comfortable clothing that you can easily take off as, before starting the therapy, the therapist will inspect the skin for any infections, burns, or active wounds.

If your skin is clear, then the therapist will apply a hypoallergenic gel or cream to your skin or the head of probe however, this will help keep air from coming between your skin and the probe and also help conduct the ultrasound waves to the tissues and also minimize friction. (If the soft tissue is inflamed the therapist might use a topical medication as well as ultrasound gel to help treat it in a process known as phonophoresis.).

Ultrasound maybe used in a continuous mode (where the treatment head continuously produces ultrasonic energy) or pulsed (where the periods of ultrasound are separated by periods of silence). The intensity and depth of the penetrating ultrasound waves can be controlled by the therapist via the machine’s settings (and it will depend on the specific injury and the stage of healing the patient is in).

The probe vibrates, causing waves to travel through the skin to deep tissues within your body (without affecting other tissues close to the surface). During your ultrasound therapy treatment, your therapist will continually move the transducer head over and around the selected area for over 5 to 10 min (depending on the injury and size of the body area which is being treated). As, some people may feel a mild pulsing or slight warmth during this therapy in the selected area.

But, if the transducer head remains in one place for too long, there is a potential to burn the tissues underneath, (which you may or may not feel so, while being treated,) if you feel discomfort, alert your therapist right away. (Hence, you’ll be awake during the whole process without the need for anaesthetics or pain relievers.) Ultrasound therapy in Surrey treats following physiotherapy conditions: Bursitis and Tendonitis/Tendinitis, Trigger Finger or Thumb, Ganglion, Muscle Spasms, Arthritis, Bone Fractures, Sprains, Joint contracture or tightness, Pain caused by scar tissue, Myofascial pain, Varicose ulcers, Herpes zoster, Pressure sores, Meniscal injury. (Other conditions and diseases that may be improved or healed include whiplash, phantom limb pain, dental pain, and even certain types of cancer.).

Thus, Ultrasound therapy is non-invasive; hence, it’s safer than other methods as this procedure is generally painless and easy to do.

Laser

Laser Physiotherapy treatment is a safe, effective, pain free and non-invasive light source to treat pain. LASER stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.

It emits no heat, sound, or vibration. As, Laser for therapy stimulates all cell types including muscle, ligament, cartilage, nerves, etc., so a number of conditions can be treated. So, when a cell is working to repair itself, it needs a great deal of energy as most cells continue to work at their usual rate, that is why repair of some tissues takes so long.

While with the use of lasers, the cells are stimulated and their activity is increased so that they can perform better, faster and more effectively. This results in wound and injury healing in a shorter period of time. (So, this therapy is used by some physiotherapists to treat various acute and chronic musculoskeletal condition.) The patients who undergo this therapy are likely to heal faster and with recovery in their ROM (Range of Motion), strength and overall better functional movement.

So, before starting the treatment there are some precautions taken for eye protection that is required for both patient and therapist, and therapy should not be performed over malignancies, eye, epileptics, pacemakers, spinal stimulators or over the midsection of pregnant women.

As the skin to be treated is cleaned to lower the skin resistance for that gels sprays or water is applied. The treatment head or probe is applied directly to the tissue being treated whose amount of energy is controlled by the physiotherapist. (This tissue dose is expressed by energy density measured in Joules per cm2).

During this procedure, the non-thermal photons of light that are emitted from the laser pass through the skin layers (the dermis, epidermis, and the subcutaneous tissue or tissue fat under the skin) and reaches the target area which then absorbs by the body tissue. This initiates a series of events in the cell (by interacting with various intracellular biomolecules that results in healing damaged or injured tissue, promotes regeneration, reduction in pain & inflammation and an overall reduction in healing time by increasing intra-cellular metabolism.) While receiving laser treatment, you will feel little to no sensation at all, (depending on the type of laser that is being used).

This treatment typically lasts between 2-10 minutes and patients usually begin to feel better after 1 or 2 treatment sessions, (although 5 or more may be needed to resolve the problem). (The more chronic and extensive the injury, the more treatments are usually needed.) This treatment is very effective for inflammatory conditions, including peripheral neuropathy, tendonitis, bursitis, capsulitis, sprains, and strains, migraines, arthritis, disc injuries, sports injuries, calcification, whiplash etc. Hence, Laser for Physiotherapy can be easily applied to patients and has relatively short treatment time, depending on the power output of the device, the wavelengths used and the size of the area to be treated.

Shockwave Theraphy

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) also referred as shock wave therapy, was first introduced into clinical practice in 1982 for the management of urologic conditions. (Extracorporeal- outside the body.).

It is a multidisciplinary device used in orthopaedics, physiotherapy, and sports medicine (that provides fast pain relief and restores mobility.). Physiotherapy Shockwave Therapy uses specialist device to deliver acoustic shock waves, which is audible and carries high energy to bone or soft tissue through skin to treat acute or chronic conditions. (The wave that is generated will vary in its energy content and also will have different penetration characteristics in human tissue.).

It is an effective, non-invasive, short duration treatment. It promotes bone healing and treat bone necrosis. (And also helpful for diabetic patients with foot ulcers).

In physio therapy clinic a full clinical assessment of your condition will be done by the physiotherapist at your first visit to identify whether shockwave therapy is an appropriate intervention for you or not.

If appropriate, then physio will educate you about your condition and treatment that will use (and what you can do in conjunction with treatment – activity modification, specific exercises, etc.) If shockwave therapy will be a part of your treatment, physio will initially apply a contact(coupling) gel to the area of pain than brings the transmitter into direct contact with the patient’s skin above the area to be treated.

Then the treatment head is applied onto and moved over the affected area by physio. Therapy works when longitudinal acoustic wave spreads out from the transmitter into the injured tissues of the skin (As an ultrasonic pulse) which provoke your body to respond (to this controlled trauma by increasing blood circulation and triggering stem cell activation and enzyme production in the injured tissue) which promotes and accelerates healing and reduces pain. However, after the treatment you may experience mild soreness, tenderness, swelling, redness, numbness or tingling in the treated area, for a few days following the procedure, (it’s because of shockwave stimulates an inflammatory response which are relatively rare, mild, and transient.) On completion of your treatment, you can return to most regular activities almost immediately. (So, this treatment is usually done once a week for 3-6 weeks and for a best result it may take 6-10 weeks, so it depends on results.) (As, pain relief and improved function are reported after first session.).

Shockwave therapy should not be used if there is a circulation or nerve disorder, infection, or a metabolic bone condition, open wounds or tumours or during pregnancy, pacemakers or other implanted devices, people using blood-thinning medications. It is helpful for the people with chronic tendinopathies, knee osteoarthritis, overuse, or repetitive strain, having non-union of long bone fracture.

Hence, the application is simple and easy, no anaesthesia required and able to treat large areas with no known significant side effects

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is an oldest method of pain relief involving the use of a mild electrical current. The machine is a small, battery-operated device that has leads connected to sticky pads called electrodes. (The electrodes placed on the surface of your skin i.e., near nerves where the pain is located or at trigger points.)

Interferential therapy (IFT) is a commonly used modality in physiotherapy practice for pain relief. It applies two medium frequency currents of slightly different frequencies to interfere with one another. (So, it’s same as low frequency currents.)

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that involves creating a series of low energy acoustic shock wave pulsations that are directly applied to an injury through a person’s skin via a gel medium and helps to treat acute and chronic conditions.

Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation

(LASER) stimulates and accelerates healing and tissue regeneration, reduces inflammation, and restores normal cellular function by using low-intensity laser light to relieve pain.

Ultrasound Therapy is a type of mechanical energy that uses sound waves which are above the range of human being, and helps to treat pain conditions and promote tissue healing

TENS

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a small device that uses low-voltage electric current which stimulates the sensory nerves and blocks or changes the perception of pain by using skin surface electrodes thus, provides pain relief. Physical therapists, acupuncturists, and other healthcare professionals may give TENS therapy. So, it’s a non-invasive, lightweight, battery-powered device have several sets of electrode wires and sticky pads. The pad has an adhesive backing and is positioned on skin in specific areas (along nerve pathways in the area) to be treated. As, the efficacy may depend on many factors including the type of condition (for which pain relief is sought), where should electrodes are positioned (on the skin), and the settings of the stimulation machine unit itself. So, the people who experience pain relief from physio electric machine may be able to reduce their intake of pain medications, (some of which can be addictive or cause adverse side effects). (There are 3 types of TENS: Conventional (High), Acupuncture-like (Low), Brief Intense TENS). It works on two theories: Pain Gate Mechanism and Endogenous Opioid System. One theory is that the electric current stimulates nerve cells that block the transmission of pain signals, modifying your perception of pain. The other theory is that nerve stimulation raises the level of endorphins, serotonin, analgesic hormones and reduction of cytokine levels this blocks the perception of pain and increases the blood flow to the muscle tissue. The TENS should not use: pacemaker or another type of electrical or metal implant in your body, pregnant, epilepsy or a heart problem, overactive bladder, (osteomyelitis), tuberculosis, near or over eyes or mouth, front or side of neck, or on the head, reproductive organs or genitals, infected or broken skin, varicose veins, numb areas, cancer. If this therapy will be a part of treatment than it’s should be switched off before it’s attached the pads to the skin. Then, pads are positioned on either side of the painful area either by two electrode pads (which are usually positioned either side of the area of most intense pain.) (This is done so that the TENS sensation covers the painful area.) or four electrode pads (can be used to treat a larger area of pain.) after that turn on. The electrical impulses are delivered to the affected area of body (which reduces the pain signals going to the spinal cord and brain,) that helps in relieving pain and relax the muscles (and may also stimulate the production of endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers). However, these electrical impulses may cause a non-painful buzzing, tingling, or prickling sensation that can help to block or suppress pain messages, (which some people may find uncomfortable). However, machine has a rotary knob or dial that allows you to control the strength of the electrical impulses until the sensation feels strong but comfortable. The duration of pain relief after using a physiotherapy muscle stimulator machine can vary. (The switch off the machine after finished using it and removed the electrodes from skin.) (The most common complaint is an allergic type skin reaction i.e., redness or irritation it’s due to the adhesive pads, for that hypoallergenic pad are available). TENS therapy has been used to relieve both chronic and acute pain. It helps to treat following conditions: arthritis, (period pain, endometriosis), sports injuries, Fibromyalgia, Tendinitis, Bursitis, (Labour pain), Low back pain. (postoperative pain), joint pain, (multiple sclerosis, painful diabetic neuropathy). Hence, it is safe to use and has few side effects when compared with drug therapy.

IFC

Interferential Therapy or IFT is a type of electrotherapy treatment in which two medium frequency currents are used to produce a low frequency effect. (This therapy is meant to boost the body’s natural process of responding to pain, by increasing circulation thus producing hormones that promote healing.) This physio electric machine delivers the intermittent pulses to stimulate surface nerves and block the pain signal, by delivering continuous deep stimulation into the damaged tissues of the body. So, the frequency of 100Hz may stimulate the large diameter A-beta fibres, which have an effect on the pain gate, and inhibit the transmission of small-diameter nociceptive traffic, which effectively closes the gait to painful impulses. Thus, to produce low frequency effects at sufficient intensity at depth, patients can experience considerable discomfort in the superficial tissues (i.e., the skin) due to impedance is inversely proportional to frequency. Interferential therapy overcomes the problem of skin impedance as two frequency current is used. So, if one of the currents is kept in constant of 4000 Hz and other can be varied between 3900 and 4000 Hz so the interference effect at that called beat frequency. Beat frequency is equal to difference in frequency between the two currents which is produce in the tissue at the point where the two current cross. Thus, IFT is a common pain-relieving modality without side effects (that oral painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications have) but it also has some limitations in following condition: Infective condition, Malignancy, Pacemakers, Loss of sensation, Large open wounds, Dermatological Conditions, Pregnancy, Deep vein thrombosis, Menstruation, Damaged or bruised skin, Eyes, anterior aspect of neck, Neoplasm, Epiphyseal region, Haemorrhage. (There are three patterns of sweep of Interferential therapy: Triangular, Rectangular, Trapezoidal.) If this therapy will be a part of your treatment in physiotherapy clinic, then the effect of IFT depends upon: Frequency, Intensity of current, Electrode placement. (Frequency: 100-150Hz constant or 90-100Hz rhythmic- pain relief, 0-10Hz or 10- 50Hz rhythmic- muscle stimulation, 0-100Hz rhythmic- vasodilatation. Intensity of current: It is controlled by therapist and the current is increased until the patient feels tingling and as accommodation occurs the intensity is increased to the point of muscle stimulation.) Electrode placement: There are 3 types of electrodes use are: Plate, Pen, Vacuum. The patient is placed in a comfortable position and the skin is prepared for the treatment. The skin is washed, and apply petroleum jelly on the lesions. After that the electrodes are placed accurately at the treatment site. The two pairs of electrodes are positioned so that the crossing point of the two currents is over or within the lesion. The duration of treatment is between 10 – 20 minutes. IFT is commonly used for: Pain relief, Muscle stimulation, increase local blood flow, reduce oedema, Reduce muscle spasm. (The danger of IFT is Electrical burn.) IFT helps to treat following conditions: Cervical spondylosis, Osteoarthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Frozen shoulder, Disc herniation, Spinal canal stenosis, Bursitis, Tendinitis, Ligaments injuries, Muscle spasm, Incontinence, Muscle weakness. Hence, the major advantage of IFT is that it produces effects in the tissue, exactly where required without unnecessary and uncomfortable skin stimulation.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound Therapy is a type of mechanical energy that uses sound waves which are above the range of human hearing. This ultrasound machine works by sending an electric current to transmit acoustic waves at 1 or 3MHz through crystals found in the ultrasound probe. Thus, it’s an electrotherapy device which has been used by professionals and physiotherapists around the world for many years, as it uses heat and energy to increase circulation, decrease pain, increase flexibility, and speed healing and improve your ability to perform daily activities and tasks. (It can also penetrate deep into the tissues in ways that a hot pack can’t.) There are some instances where ultrasound should not use at all are: open wounds, active areas of cancer, near or over a pacemaker, pregnancy, eyes, breasts, or sexual organs, fractured bones. (Parts of the body with metal implants; like in a TKR (Total Knee Replacement) or lumbar fusion.). In two ways ultrasound can work in your body to heal and repair tissues during physiotherapy services, that are: Thermal Ultrasound Therapy and Non-thermal/Mechanical Ultrasound Therapy. Thermal Ultrasound Therapy involves the continuous transfer of sound waves resulting in small vibrations in the deep tissue molecules that increases heat and friction which results in increase metabolism and thus, accelerates healing of the soft tissues. (Used in case of a Myofascial pain, or a muscle strain or sprain, scars, or adhesions.). Non-Thermal/Mechanical Ultrasound therapy uses single vibration of sound waves to penetrate tissue as when this energy enters the body through ultrasound it creates tiny gas bubbles that gather around the tissues and contract and expand at a rapid pace. This is called cavitation. (Used if you have Pain and Swelling such as with CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome)). If this therapy will be your part of treatment, then on the day of the therapy you should wear comfortable clothing that you can easily take off as, before starting the therapy, the therapist will inspect the skin for any infections, burns, or active wounds. If your skin is clear, then the therapist will apply a hypoallergenic gel or cream to your skin or the head of probe however, this will help keep air from coming between your skin and the probe and also help conduct the ultrasound waves to the tissues and also minimize friction. (If the soft tissue is inflamed the therapist might use a topical medication as well as ultrasound gel to help treat it in a process known as phonophoresis.). Ultrasound maybe used in a continuous mode (where the treatment head continuously produces ultrasonic energy) or pulsed (where the periods of ultrasound are separated by periods of silence). The intensity and depth of the penetrating ultrasound waves can be controlled by the therapist via the machine’s settings (and it will depend on the specific injury and the stage of healing the patient is in). The probe vibrates, causing waves to travel through the skin to deep tissues within your body (without affecting other tissues close to the surface). During your ultrasound therapy treatment, your therapist will continually move the transducer head over and around the selected area for over 5 to 10 min (depending on the injury and size of the body area which is being treated). As, some people may feel a mild pulsing or slight warmth during this therapy in the selected area. But, if the transducer head remains in one place for too long, there is a potential to burn the tissues underneath, (which you may or may not feel so, while being treated,) if you feel discomfort, alert your therapist right away. (Hence, you’ll be awake during the whole process without the need for anaesthetics or pain relievers.) Ultrasound therapy in Surrey treats following physiotherapy conditions: Bursitis and Tendonitis/Tendinitis, Trigger Finger or Thumb, Ganglion, Muscle Spasms, Arthritis, Bone Fractures, Sprains, Joint contracture or tightness, Pain caused by scar tissue, Myofascial pain, Varicose ulcers, Herpes zoster, Pressure sores, Meniscal injury. (Other conditions and diseases that may be improved or healed include whiplash, phantom limb pain, dental pain, and even certain types of cancer.). Thus, Ultrasound therapy is non-invasive; hence, it’s safer than other methods as this procedure is generally painless and easy to do.

Laser

Laser Physiotherapy treatment is a safe, effective, pain free and non-invasive light source to treat pain. LASER stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. It emits no heat, sound, or vibration. As, Laser for therapy stimulates all cell types including muscle, ligament, cartilage, nerves, etc., so a number of conditions can be treated. So, when a cell is working to repair itself, it needs a great deal of energy as most cells continue to work at their usual rate, that is why repair of some tissues takes so long. While with the use of lasers, the cells are stimulated and their activity is increased so that they can perform better, faster and more effectively. This results in wound and injury healing in a shorter period of time. (So, this therapy is used by some physiotherapists to treat various acute and chronic musculoskeletal condition.) The patients who undergo this therapy are likely to heal faster and with recovery in their ROM (Range of Motion), strength and overall better functional movement. So, before starting the treatment there are some precautions taken for eye protection that is required for both patient and therapist, and therapy should not be performed over malignancies, eye, epileptics, pacemakers, spinal stimulators or over the midsection of pregnant women. As the skin to be treated is cleaned to lower the skin resistance for that gels sprays or water is applied. The treatment head or probe is applied directly to the tissue being treated whose amount of energy is controlled by the physiotherapist. (This tissue dose is expressed by energy density measured in Joules per cm2). During this procedure, the non-thermal photons of light that are emitted from the laser pass through the skin layers (the dermis, epidermis, and the subcutaneous tissue or tissue fat under the skin) and reaches the target area which then absorbs by the body tissue. This initiates a series of events in the cell (by interacting with various intracellular biomolecules that results in healing damaged or injured tissue, promotes regeneration, reduction in pain & inflammation and an overall reduction in healing time by increasing intra-cellular metabolism.) While receiving laser treatment, you will feel little to no sensation at all, (depending on the type of laser that is being used). This treatment typically lasts between 2-10 minutes and patients usually begin to feel better after 1 or 2 treatment sessions, (although 5 or more may be needed to resolve the problem). (The more chronic and extensive the injury, the more treatments are usually needed.) This treatment is very effective for inflammatory conditions, including peripheral neuropathy, tendonitis, bursitis, capsulitis, sprains, and strains, migraines, arthritis, disc injuries, sports injuries, calcification, whiplash etc. Hence, Laser for Physiotherapy can be easily applied to patients and has relatively short treatment time, depending on the power output of the device, the wavelengths used and the size of the area to be treated.

Shockwave Theraphy

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) also referred as shock wave therapy, was first introduced into clinical practice in 1982 for the management of urologic conditions. (Extracorporeal- outside the body.). It is a multidisciplinary device used in orthopaedics, physiotherapy, and sports medicine (that provides fast pain relief and restores mobility.). Physiotherapy Shockwave Therapy uses specialist device to deliver acoustic shock waves, which is audible and carries high energy to bone or soft tissue through skin to treat acute or chronic conditions. (The wave that is generated will vary in its energy content and also will have different penetration characteristics in human tissue.). It is an effective, non-invasive, short duration treatment. It promotes bone healing and treat bone necrosis. (And also helpful for diabetic patients with foot ulcers). In physio therapy clinic a full clinical assessment of your condition will be done by the physiotherapist at your first visit to identify whether shockwave therapy is an appropriate intervention for you or not. If appropriate, then physio will educate you about your condition and treatment that will use (and what you can do in conjunction with treatment – activity modification, specific exercises, etc.) If shockwave therapy will be a part of your treatment, physio will initially apply a contact(coupling) gel to the area of pain than brings the transmitter into direct contact with the patient’s skin above the area to be treated. Then the treatment head is applied onto and moved over the affected area by physio. Therapy works when longitudinal acoustic wave spreads out from the transmitter into the injured tissues of the skin (As an ultrasonic pulse) which provoke your body to respond (to this controlled trauma by increasing blood circulation and triggering stem cell activation and enzyme production in the injured tissue) which promotes and accelerates healing and reduces pain. However, after the treatment you may experience mild soreness, tenderness, swelling, redness, numbness or tingling in the treated area, for a few days following the procedure, (it’s because of shockwave stimulates an inflammatory response which are relatively rare, mild, and transient.) On completion of your treatment, you can return to most regular activities almost immediately. (So, this treatment is usually done once a week for 3-6 weeks and for a best result it may take 6-10 weeks, so it depends on results.) (As, pain relief and improved function are reported after first session.). Shockwave therapy should not be used if there is a circulation or nerve disorder, infection, or a metabolic bone condition, open wounds or tumours or during pregnancy, pacemakers or other implanted devices, people using blood-thinning medications. It is helpful for the people with chronic tendinopathies, knee osteoarthritis, overuse, or repetitive strain, having non-union of long bone fracture. Hence, the application is simple and easy, no anaesthesia required and able to treat large areas with no known significant side effects

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is an oldest method of pain relief involving the use of a mild electrical current. The machine is a small, battery-operated device that has leads connected to sticky pads called electrodes. (The electrodes placed on the surface of your skin i.e., near nerves where the pain is located or at trigger points.)

Interferential therapy (IFT) is a commonly used modality in physiotherapy practice for pain relief. It applies two medium frequency currents of slightly different frequencies to interfere with one another. (So, it’s same as low frequency currents.)

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that involves creating a series of low energy acoustic shock wave pulsations that are directly applied to an injury through a person’s skin via a gel medium and helps to treat acute and chronic conditions.

Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation

(LASER) stimulates and accelerates healing and tissue regeneration, reduces inflammation, and restores normal cellular function by using low-intensity laser light to relieve pain.

Ultrasound Therapy is a type of mechanical energy that uses sound waves which are above the range of human being, and helps to treat pain conditions and promote tissue healing

Benefits of Electro Therapy

  • Decrease pain and inflammation

  • Improve circulation

  • Relieve muscle spasm

  • Retrains muscles after surgery or illness

  • Works on weakened or atrophied muscle(Aiding athletic recovery)

Why Choose Bear Creek Physiotherapy Clinic

Bear Creek physiotherapy is one of the best sports physiotherapy clinics in Surrey that provides your best treatment plan according to your injury or condition.

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Would you like to know more about how sports physiotherapy can help you recover from an injury or medical condition that’s causing you pain? Would you like to know how our physiotherapists can integrate sports therapy into your treatment plan? Bear creek physiotherapy is one of the best sports physiotherapy clinic in surrey. We are there for your wellness; Don’t let pain stop you.