10
The range of this
beat frequency
in the Flexistim IF is 1 to 160Hz.
Unlike TENS, which delivers intermittent pulses to stimulate surface nerves and block the
pain signal, IFT delivers continuous stimulation deep into the affected tissue. In
addition to providing pain relief by the same mechanism that TENS uses, most
physiotherapists consider that IFT’s major role is to accelerate the inflammatory or
healing rate.
IFT is believed to work by stimulating parasympathetic nerve fibres to give increased
blood flow and oedema reduction and by-passing currents across cell membranes;
these currents vary depending upon the tissue involved. By using particular
frequencies in the range, different systems within the body can be stimulated or used
to increase the blood supply, which in turn hastens the healing rate. IFT is used to treat
almost any condition where inflammation is a problem. For example, sports injuries;
arthritic conditions; bruising and swellings, back pain, arthritis and muscular pain.
Many practitioners use a “Sweep” treatment which uses constantly changing
interference pulse frequency. Practical clinical experience suggests therapeutic
benefits for these sweeps in addition to those of conventional nerve stimulation.