Electrical stimulation, referred to as Estim, is widely used in rehabilitation settings to treat pain, reduce swelling and promote muscle strengthening. The use of Estim functions to activate large touch sensation nerve fibers and provide a control over small pain nerve fibers. Estim can also create rhythmic muscle contractions that help to reduce swelling and muscle spasms. Finally, it can achieve a strong muscle contraction, which can assist with strengthening exercises.
Precautions
A patient should not use Estim if she has a pacemaker or any known or suspected cardiac condition. Patients with cancer, abnormal skin conditions, epilepsy or electrical monitoring equipment should also not receive Estim. Health care professionals involved in rehabilitation have extensive training in electrical stimulation and screen the patient during a medical evaluation before they use Estim in any treatment approach. Females who are pregnant or suspect that they may be should not receive Estim.
Treatment for a Foot Injury
A patient who severely sprains his foot might be referred for rehabilitation due to pain, swelling and poor tolerance for putting weight on the foot. Treatment might consist of massage techniques to reduce swelling, gentle exercises to improve motion and the use of Estim to finish. A combination of cold packs and Estim can be wrapped tightly around the foot, and the Estim stimulates the muscles to contract, creating a pumping effect to push swelling from the injury site.
Estim for Chronic Nerve Pain
According to the Cleveland Clinic, neurogenic pain is defined as pain resulting from damage to the nerves. With a crush injury or fracture to the foot, chronic nerve damage may occur. Pain can be extremely unpleasant and may result in continuous sensations that are sharp, burning or shooting. The use of Estim may provide temporary pain relief to reduce or mask the pain. Some patients use Estim units at home for pain management.
Prevention/Solution
Health care professionals use Estim for stroke patients. A stroke may cause foot drop, which the Mayo Clinic defines as difficulty lifting the front part of the foot. A person who has had a stroke may have trouble walking and trip because she cannot lift her foot. Estim can cause the front foot muscles to contract and raise the foot. A switch under the heel activates when the heel strikes the surface.
Benefits
Estim is very beneficial for the treatment of foot pain; it can reduce the recovery time. Estim can also reduce pain and swelling. When inflammation is present, Estim can deliver medication directly into the injured tissue. The medication is made with a positive chemical mixture, and the Estim is set on a negative current. This repels the medication away from the electrical current into the tissue. This process is referred to as iontophoresis.
