Electrical stimulation utilizes electrical current driven into the skin in order to reduce inflammation in a specified region of the body. It can be combined with other a modalities such as moist heat or cryotherapy to enhance the effect. It can also be used to restore a patient’s ability to contract a muscle following trauma or surgery that results in marked inhibition of a muscle or muscular group. When used for anti-inflammatory effect it can be applied via surface electrodes through the patient’s skin or deeper into the tissue via a dry needle.

These are the most common treatment types: