Interference therapy (IF for short) is a form of electrical treatment. It is mainly used for pain relief, muscle relaxation, and to stimulate blood circulation and healing processes.
During IF therapy, medium or high-frequency electrical currents are applied to different points of the body through two channels. These currents cross and interact within the body. This phenomenon is called "interference."
How does it work?
Two currents of different frequencies meet during interference, creating a new low-frequency pulsed current within the body that concentrates on the affected area. This technique penetrates deeper than simple electrical stimulation, as the low-frequency current can effectively reach tissues, resulting in better outcomes for pain relief and healing.
What is it used for?
- Pain relief: Interference (IF) therapy can alleviate both chronic and acute pain, such as muscle pain, joint pain, and other types of pain.
- Muscle relaxation: It helps relax cramped, tense muscles, which is especially useful for athletes and individuals with musculoskeletal issues.
- Promoting healing: It improves blood circulation, which can accelerate recovery and wound healing.
- Reducing inflammation: IF therapy can also have anti-inflammatory effects, contributing to pain and swelling reduction.
Contraindications
There are certain situations when interference therapy is not recommended. These include:
- Pacemakers or other electrical devices: IF therapy may interfere with the function of older implanted devices.
- Pregnancy: Treatment is not advised on the abdominal area during pregnancy.
- Cancerous conditions: IF therapy is not recommended on areas with tumors but can be applied on areas away from tumors.
- Acute infections: Treating inflamed or infected areas is not recommended as the current may worsen inflammation.
- Thrombosis: Treatment over blood clots may increase the risk of clot displacement; however, areas distant from thrombosis can be treated.
- Epilepsy: Treatment may trigger seizures in some cases, so patients with epilepsy should proceed cautiously, especially when treating the head, neck, and chest regions.
IF therapy is generally administered by physiotherapists or rehabilitation specialists as part of a personalized treatment plan and is often combined with other therapies to maximize effectiveness.
