What is Interferential Therapy?
"Interferential" can be likened to being a sophisticated form of TeNS, capable of deep penetration with the added bonus of having healing properties. It is a standard form of treatment used by Physiotherapists.
Normal TeNS operates at frequencies up to around 150Hz. Its electrical current runs just below skin level and the power that can be delivered is limited by the users ability to accept the strong tingling sensation it generates.
Interferential operates at very high frequencies (around 4000 Hz). At these frequencies your skin's resistance is significantly lower. This allows the current to penetrate deep into the tissue. The sensation, however, remains at a very low and comfortable level. As a result Interferential can deliver many times the "power" of a TeNS well below skin level.
Pain control with Interferential is significantly higher than with TeNS and it has the important advantages of having long term benefits by reducing swelling, reducing scar tissue, increasing blood flow and promoting the natural healing process. TeNS cannot claim these benefits.
There are two methods of application:
In FOUR POLE mode Interferential uses two pairs of electrodes. Each pair applies a high frequency signal simultaneously. These signals electronically oppose each other and they are set to have a small and very precisely controlled frequency difference between them. Deep in the tissue they meet and "interfere" with each other. Effectively, where they meet, they cancel each other out but leave a "beat" frequency equal to the controlled difference between them. This "beat" frequency can be varied and is usually set to equal a normal TeNS frequency of 2 to 150Hz.
TWO POLE Interferential is easier to explain. This mode uses just one pair of electrodes. The signal still runs at around 4000Hz but the TeNS effect is achieved by superimposing a modulation on top of the base frequency.
Whichever method is employed the result is the same: Interferential produces a very high performance TeNS action deep into the tissue but with a low and comfortable sensation to the patient.
A fully functional Interferential such as Ultima 4160 would provide a choice of two or four pole treatment and have a facility to enable the user to set the "beat" frequency according to the condition being treated.
Interferential is safe and unlike most drugs has no known side effects.
Common uses include: Pain Relief (including all TeNS applications), pre / post surgery, bone fractures, sports injuries, carpal tunnel, circulatory disorders, joint injury, cumulative trauma disorders ... and much more.
We have also found it to be extremely effective in treating migraines and tension headache.
Individuals with a cardiac pacemaker or who are pregnant should not use Interferential without first consulting their clinician / doctor.
