What is IFT and how does it work?
IFT is given through a machine that produces modified electric current and it is supplied to the affected body parts via wires. It has a soothing effect on our muscles and often my patient in our clinic describes it as a massage effect. One can feel the relaxing effect after the application of IFT.
How effective is IFT for pain relief?
~Electrical stimulation for pain relief has widespread clinical use, thought the direct research evidence for the use of IFT in this role is limited. Logically one could use the higher frequencies (90-130Hz) to stimulate the pain gate mechanisms & thereby mask the pain symptoms.
What is inter ferential therapy (IFT)?
Medically Reviewed by The Medindia Medical Review Team on Nov 11, 2019 Inter Ferential Therapy (IFT) Inter Ferential Therapy (IFT) uses a Mid frequency - current for treatment.
What is the clinical application of intravenous frequency (IFT)?
The clinical application of IFT therapy is based on peripheral nerve stimulation (frequency) data, though it is important to note that much of this information has been generated from research with other modalities, and its transfer to IFT is assumed rather than proven.
How is IFT physiotherapy done?
Interferential therapy (IFT) is a commonly used modality in physiotherapy practice for pain relief. Pain relief is believed to be achieved through the production of endogenous opioids like endorphins and enkephalins.
What is IFT procedure?
IFT which stands for Interferential Therapy is one of the types of electrotherapy used for the management of pain. The principle of interferential therapy is to cause two medium frequency currents of slightly different frequencies to interfere with one another.
Is IFT good for back pain?
The sensation produced by the current's interference stimulates the tissues, increasing the blood flow and leading to the self-healing process kicking in. This is why IFT for back pain is well sought after as it is non-invasive and effective.
What are the benefits of IFT?
Benefits of IFT Physiotherapyincreasing blood circulation.reducing pain, and inflammation.vasodilation.curing oedema and hematoma.removing waste substances from the affected area.increasing muscle stimulation.Increasing metabolic rate.decreasing blood pressure.More items...•
How much does IFT physiotherapy cost?
The price of Interferential Therapy Unit products is between ₹9,500 - ₹10,000 per Piece during Jun '21 - May '22. These are indicative values based on popular product prices.
Can we do IFT at home?
IFT offers electrotherapy for the management of chronic, post-traumatic, and post-surgical pain. This treatment has gained popularity because of its pain-free, drug-free and non-invasive way of healing. Applying it every day can offer improved results. You can even take IFT treatment at home at an affordable cost.
Is there any side effects of physiotherapy?
Muscle fatigue and soreness You may also experience muscle fatigue or feel shaky once your appointment is complete. If your therapy is meant to help you build up more muscle mass and help regain your strength, you should expect these symptoms.
Is interferential therapy painful?
Electrodes are placed on your skin around the injured body part. The Interferential Current device then transmits electrical impulses in minute quantities through your skin. Underlying tissue and nerves are stimulated which begins the healing properties. These impulses are not painful in the least.
Is IFT good for sciatica?
Ultrasound, heat therapy, traction, SWD, IFT and TENS may be recommended depending upon the type and area of pain for pain reduction and reliving muscle spasm.
Is IFT good for knee pain?
Short-term treatment with both APS and IFT could significantly reduce pain and improve physical function in patients with knee OA. These results are indicative that both physical methods can be used as an alternative to drugs or complementary methods for pain management in knee OA.
What is the contraindication of IFT?
The exclusion criteria were as follows: Any contraindication to the use of IFT (Table 1) [38,39]; previous cervical spine or shoulder surgery; a history of neurological or mental illnesses; diagnosed central or peripheral nervous system diseases [23]; concomitant fracture in the neck/shoulder; altered sensitivity to ...
What Is IFT Treatment in Physiotherapy?
IFT physiotherapy for knee pain or as it is commonly known- inferential therapy is a form of electrotherapy that is effective for managing pain. Patients often ask- ‘Is IFT physiotherapy safe?’ and the answer to that is yes and no.
How Does the IFT Physiotherapy Machine Work?
The principle on which the IFT machine works is that it causes frequency currents of slightly different frequencies to interact and interfere with one another. It is effective for pain modulation as it produces low frequencies which have therapeutic effects on your painful symptoms without any of the side effects. The mechanism goes like this:
How IFT Works in Physiotherapy?
Now that we know the mechanism and the principle behind it, it helps to know the actual process when you decide to opt for physiotherapy for knee pain. The process is outlined below-
IFT Physiotherapy Uses
An essential part of physiotherapy for knee pain, the IFT machine comes in handy for a wide variety of knee pain disorders. Some of the many conditions that it treats are-
Benefits of IFT Physiotherapy Machine
When it comes to physiotherapy for knee pain, there are some important benefits with the IFT machine. However, it is not just limited to that. There is a wide area of focus when it comes to treatment using the IFT physiotherapy machine like-
IFT Machine Disadvantges
Although the IFT machine comes with many useful benefits, it is not safe to use with everyone. If you have any of the following conditions, it is advised that you avoid the use of the IFT physiotherapy machine-
What is IFT physiotherapy?
IFT physiotherapy: Electrode placement, indication, contraindication. IFT physiotherapy simply means a physiotherapy treatment given through an IFT machine. IFT stands for Interferential Therapy where two medium frequency current interferes to produce a beat frequency to give soothing and pain-relieving effect on the part where it is applied.
How is IFT given?
IFT is given through a machine that produces modified electric current and it is supplied to the affected body parts via wires.
How does interferential therapy help with pain?
Interferential therapy helps improving blood flow by stimulating the pumping action of the muscle. Improved blood circulation helps to heal the swelling and inflammation and thereby reducing the pain. Pain also reduces after application of IFT machine by a mechanism called as pain gait theory.
What is an IFT machine?
Interferential therapy or IFT machine, in short, is a very integral part of the physiotherapy treatment process. It is one of the several electrotherapy modes of treatment where electric current is used for getting the desired result. The other electrotherapy modes includes ultrasonic therapy, shortwave diathermy, i nfrared lamp therapy etc.
How does IFT affect the body?
IFT is actually a beat frequency current supplied over the muscle. It affects in two way, one it stimulates the muscle to contract (muscle pump effect). The second is ti also affects the nerve that carries the pain sensation. It relieves body pain by pain gate theory mechanism.
What is the name of the technique where two medium frequency currents interfere with each other?
To be more specific, two medium frequency current interferes to produce a beat frequency which is called as Interferential Therapy or IFT.
What is IFT therapy?
Interferential therapy (IFT) is widely used in physiotherapy. It is developed by Dr. Hans Nemec of Vienna, Austria in the early 1950s. It is very helpful in relieving pain due to muscle spasm and various other kinds of pain.
What is the principle of IFT?
Principle of IFT: The basic principle of interferential therapy (IFT) is to use the important physiological effects of low-frequency electrical stimulation of nerve without the associated painful and somewhat unpleasant side effects. To produce low-frequency effects at sufficient intensity and sufficient depth, ...
Does faradism stimulate the voluntary component?
(It is claimed that when the pelvic floor muscles treated with interferential current, both the voluntary and smooth muscle fibers are stimulated. faradism can only stimulate the voluntary component. )
What is IFT therapy?
~The basic principle of Interferential Therapy (IFT) is to utilise the strong physiologicaportable iftl effects of low frequency (<250pps) electrical stimulation of nerves without the associated painful and somewhat unpleasant side effects sometimes associated with low frequency stim.
Why does IFT work?
~It has been suggested that IFT works in a ‘special way’ because it is ‘interferential’ as opposed to ‘normal’ stimulation. The evidence for this special effect is lacking and it is most likely that IFT is just another means by which peripheral nerves can be stimulated.
What is the basic principle of IFT?
~The basic principle of Interferential Therapy (IFT) is to utilise the significant physiological effects of low frequency (<250pps) electrical stimulation of nerves without the associated painful and somewhat unpleasant side effects sometimes associated with low frequency stimulation.
How many electrodes are used in interference therapy?
~Interferential therapy is a type of electrical stimulation that uses four surface electrodes (two pairs of electrodes) that are placed in an “X” pattern surrounding a painful area that deliver two separate pulsed, high frequency signals. One pulsed signal, typically around 4000 Hz, is delivered between one pair of electrodes.
INTRODUCTION
It is a type of electo therapy treatment that uses electric currents to stimulate tissue which provides pain relief, reduction of swelling and many other health benefits.
Skin impedance Interferential therapy
Main problem of direct application of faradic or sinusoidal currents to patient is the very high skin impedance .
Principle of Interferential therapy
It is to pass two medium frequency alternating currents which are the slightly out of phase , through the tissue., where the currents intersect to produce a low frequency effect .
Principle of wave inter fence of Interferential therapy
When the two sinusoidal waves that are exactly in phase or one ,two or three wavelength out of phase , the waves supplement each other in constructive inter fence.
Sweep principle of Interferential therapy
It is using the machine set to automatically the effective stimulation.
Vector effect of Interferential therapy
The interference field is rotated to an angle of 450 in each direction, the field thus covers a wider area.
Frequency swings of Interferential therapy
Some equipment allows a variation in the speed of the frequency swing.
What is IFT therapy?
The basic principle of Interferential Therapy (IFT) is to utilise the strong physiologicaportable iftl effects of low frequency (<250pps) electrical stimulation of nerves without the associated painful and somewhat unpleasant side effects sometimes associated with low frequency stim.
Why does IFT work?
It has been suggested that IFT works in a ‘special way’ because it is ‘interferential’ as opposed to ‘normal’ stimulation. The evidence for this special effect is lacking and it is most likely that IFT is just another means by which peripheral nerves can be stimulated.
Does IFT help with oedema?
Increased local blood flow. Reduction of oedema. In addition, claims are made for its role in stimulating healing and repair. As IFT acts primarily on the excitable (nerve) tissues, the strongest effects are likely to be those which are a direct result of such stimulation (i.e. pain relief and muscle stimulation).
Can interferential therapy be used to stimulate nerves?
It is not capable of direct stimulation of nerve in the common context of such stimulation. Interferential therapy utilises two of these medium frequency currents, passed through the tissues simultaneously, where they are set up so that their paths cross & they literally interfere with each other.
How effective is IFT?
IFT has been claimed to be effective as a treatment to promote the reabsorption of oedema in the tissues. Again, the evidence is very limited in this respect and the physiological mechanism by which is could be achieved as a direct effect of the IFT remains to be established. The preferable clinical option in the light of the available evidence is to use the IFT to bring about local muscle contraction (s) which combined with the local vascular changes that will result (see above) could be effective in encouraging the reabsorption of tissue fluid. The use of suction electrodes may be beneficial, but also remains unproven in this respect.
Why does IFT work?
It has been suggested that IFT works in a ‘special way’ because it is ‘interferential’ as opposed to ‘normal’ stimulation. The evidence for this special effect is lacking and it is most likely that IFT is just another means by which peripheral nerves can be stimulated.
What is the principle of IFT?
The basic principle of Interferential Therapy (IFT) is to utilise the significant physiological effects of low frequency (<250pps) electrical stimulation of nerves without the associated painful and somewhat unpleasant side effects sometimes associated with low frequency stimulation.
How does 2 pole IFT work?
The use of 2 pole IFT stimulation is made possible by electronic manipulation of the currents - the interference occurs within the machine instead of in the tissues. There is no known physiological difference between the effects of IFT produced with 2 or 4 electrode systems.
What frequency is used to stimulate opioids?
Alternatively, stimulation with lower frequencies (2-5Hz) can be used to activate the opioid mechanisms, again providing a degree of relief.
Can portable devices be used for interferential therapy?
Recently, numerous ‘portable’ interferenti al devices have become easily available. Despite their size, they are perfectly capable of delivering ‘proper’ interferential therapy, though some have limited functionality and ability for the practitioner to ‘set’ all parameters.
