What is electrotherapy (tens / ift)?
Electrotherapy uses controlled electrical currents (such as TENS or interferential therapy) to support short-term pain modulation while you rebuild movement.
Wondering if this fits your problem? A short assessment tells us exactly what your plan should include.
Book Assessment · +91 79002 56729Techniques used
“Electrotherapy (TENS / IFT)” isn’t one single move — here’s what it can include:
TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)
Low-level electrical current applied via skin pads to help modulate pain signals during a flare.
Interferential Therapy (IFT)
Crossing electrical currents create a comfortable therapeutic effect deeper in tissue, often used for pain and swelling.
How it helps
- May reduce pain enough to move and exercise better
- Useful in irritable flare phases
- Combined with exercise — not a replacement for loading
- Available in clinic settings
Benefits
- Can reduce pain enough to tolerate hands-on treatment or exercise better
- Non-invasive and generally comfortable to receive
- Useful short-term tool during highly irritable flare phases
- Has no lasting side effects when used appropriately
What to expect in a session
Here’s the general flow — your physiotherapist will adapt it to your condition and stage of recovery:
Screening
Your physiotherapist confirms there’s no contraindication (e.g. pacemaker, pregnancy over the treatment area, certain skin conditions).
Pad placement
Electrode pads are placed around — not directly over — the most painful point, based on assessment.
Intensity set to comfort
Current intensity is increased gradually to a comfortable tingling level, never to the point of pain.
Combined with active care
Electrotherapy is timed around your manual therapy and exercise, not used as a stand-alone treatment.
When we use it
Flare-ups of back, neck, knee and shoulder pain when temporary relief unlocks better sessions.
Who this typically suits
- People in an acute, highly irritable pain flare
- Patients who need short-term relief to tolerate exercise better
- Selected cases where your physiotherapist judges it clinically useful
Precautions & who should be cautious
- Avoided over the chest in people with cardiac pacemakers or implanted devices
- Avoided directly over the abdomen/pelvis during pregnancy
- Not used on broken or highly sensitive skin
- Never used as the sole treatment for a musculoskeletal problem
Conditions we treat with electrotherapy
Back Pain
Short-term IFT/TENS can ease an acute flare enough to keep you moving instead of resting completely.
Neck Pain
Useful during sharp flare-ups so gentle mobility work can start sooner.
Knee Pain
Can help settle an irritable knee flare alongside ice and gentle movement.
Sciatica
May offer short-term relief during acute nerve-related flares, alongside positioning advice.
Frozen Shoulder
Sometimes used briefly to ease pain during the most painful early phase.
Osteoarthritis (Joint Wear Pain)
Occasionally used for symptomatic relief during flare periods, alongside the core strengthening programme.
Learn more → Osteoarthritis (Joint Wear Pain)
Disc Bulge / Slipped Disc
May provide short-term symptomatic relief during an irritable phase while positioning and movement strategy are established.
Learn more → Disc Bulge / Slipped Disc
Cervical Spondylosis
Can ease acute flares of neck stiffness and pain alongside mobility work.
Learn more → Cervical Spondylosis
Available across Delhi NCR
Offered as part of clinic physiotherapy across Delhi NCR when clinically indicated.
Why choose Quick Physio?
Frequently asked questions
Is electrotherapy safe?
Yes, when screened correctly by a physiotherapist — it’s avoided in specific situations like pacemakers or over broken skin.
Does TENS actually work?
Evidence is mixed for long-term outcomes, but many patients find it helpful for short-term symptomatic relief during flares.
Can I use a home TENS machine?
Ask your physiotherapist first — correct pad placement and settings matter, and it should support, not replace, your exercise plan.
Treatments are selected after assessment. Not every modality suits every person — your physiotherapist will explain options and take consent.
