Interferential Therapy
What is interferential therapy?
Interferential therapy (IFT) is a form of electrical stimulation that is used to treat muscular spasms and pain and accelerate healing after an injury.
During IFT, electrodes are placed on the skin above the affected region. A mild electrical current is passed through the skin into the muscle tissue, causing it to contract.
IFT is a pain-free procedure, though some patients experience a mild tingling or tickling sensation on their skin.
How does interferential therapy work?
IFT uses low-frequency electrical currents to stimulate nerve tissues, which cause muscles to contract. The main difference between IFT and conventional stimulation techniques is that IFT uses two medium-frequency currents that intercept and "interfere" with one another. This interference creates a low-frequency stimulation. Conventional stimulation uses low-frequency currents directly.
Because IFT uses two medium-frequency electrodes on the skin to create a low-frequency current in the tissue, it is reported to be more tolerable than conventional stimulation that uses low-frequency currents on the skin.
It is currently unclear if IFT offers clinical advantages (e.g. in terms of pain relief) over conventional stimulation, rather it is another method of offering low-frequency stimulation to peripheral nerves.
What is interferential therapy used for?
There are four main clinical indications for IFT, including:
- Pain relief
- Muscle stimulation
- Increase in blood flow
- Reduce swelling
The primary uses for IFT are pain relief and muscle stimulation. There is limited evidence to support the other effects of IFT. They are thought to be side effects of stimulation and are not key indications for IFT.
When should I ask my physiotherapist about interferential therapy?
If you have muscle acute or chronic pain or muscle spasms, IFT may be helpful for you. Our physiotherapists are able to determine the correct treatment plans depending on the nature of your symptoms.
