Electrotherapy - interfering currents

Interferential currents are used to alleviate pain, swelling, and inflammation in rheumatic and orthopedic joint and spine conditions. They are employed for chronic painful conditions such as lumbago and sciatica, extra glandular rheumatism including myalgia, myositis, and epicondylitis, degenerative joint diseases like various types of osteoarthritis, neuralgia and neuritis, and inflammatory conditions in the healing stage such as rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis. They are also used for post-traumatic conditions to stimulate bone healing and address circulatory disorders in vascular diseases.

Indication of a physiatrist is required.

Interferential currents are used in electrotherapy procedures where electrodes deliver current to the painful area. While their action is similar to diadynamic currents, there are differences in application method and site of action. Interferential currents achieve deeper penetration and better tolerance. They can be combined with vibrational massage, adjusting the vibration frequency to suit the indication, thereby enhancing the therapeutic effect of deep tissue action. This reduces sensory stimulation, allowing patients to tolerate higher current intensities than can be applied with diadynamic or standard interferential currents, resulting in greater therapeutic efficacy at tissue depth.