Electrotherapy Course

Lesson 1 • Basic Electrical Principles

Covers voltage, current, resistance, and waveform types relevant to clinical use. Provides the physics foundation required for all subsequent modality study.

Lesson 2 • Tissue Physiology and Electrical Response

Examines how nerves, muscles, and connective tissue respond to electrical stimulation. Links cellular mechanisms to observable therapeutic effects.

Lesson 3 • Historical Development of Electrotherapy

Traces the evolution of electrotherapy from early galvanism to modern evidence-based practice. Contextualizes current modalities within a broader clinical history.

Lesson 1 • Absolute and Relative Contraindications

Distinguishes conditions that prohibit electrotherapy from those requiring modified application. Enables clinicians to make safe, evidence-informed treatment decisions.

Lesson 2 • Electrical Safety Principles

Covers current thresholds, grounding, and equipment inspection protocols. Establishes non-negotiable safety habits before any hands-on application.

Lesson 3 • Patient Screening and History Taking

Teaches structured intake procedures to identify risk factors before treatment. Integrates medical history review with electrotherapy-specific questioning.

Lesson 1 • Electrode Placement Strategies

Teaches dermatomal, myotomal, and trigger-point electrode placement approaches. Directly impacts analgesic effectiveness and patient comfort.

Lesson 2 • TENS Mechanisms and Evidence Base

Explains segmental, extrasegmental, and motor-level pain relief mechanisms. Grounds clinical decisions in current research on TENS efficacy.

Lesson 3 • TENS Parameter Selection

Covers frequency, pulse width, intensity, and mode selection for different pain presentations. Teaches systematic parameter adjustment based on patient response.

Lesson 1 • NMES for Spasticity and Re-education

Addresses reciprocal inhibition, antagonist stimulation, and functional movement re-education. Expands NMES application to neurological patient populations.

Lesson 2 • NMES Physiology and Recruitment

Explains how NMES reverses normal recruitment order and activates motor units. Distinguishes NMES from voluntary contraction for clinical planning.

Lesson 3 • Parameter Selection for Muscle Activation

Covers frequency, on/off timing, ramp parameters, and intensity for effective muscle contraction. Teaches how to balance efficacy with patient tolerance.

Lesson 1 • Interferential Current Principles

Explains beat frequency generation from two medium-frequency currents crossing in tissue. Connects the physics of interference to deeper analgesic penetration.

Lesson 2 • IFC Parameter Selection and Placement

Guides frequency selection for pain, edema, and muscle goals using IFC. Teaches vector rotation and electrode positioning for targeted tissue coverage.

Lesson 3 • Russian Stimulation Principles

Covers the 2,500 Hz sinusoidal burst waveform and its muscle-strengthening rationale. Distinguishes Russian stimulation from conventional NMES in clinical use.

Lesson 1 • Phonophoresis Principles and Practice

Explains how ultrasound enhances transdermal penetration of topical agents. Covers agent selection, concentration, and evidence for clinical effectiveness.

Lesson 2 • Ultrasound Physics and Tissue Effects

Explains acoustic energy, piezoelectric transduction, and thermal vs. non-thermal tissue effects. Provides the physical science basis for all ultrasound clinical decisions.

Lesson 3 • Ultrasound Parameter Selection

Covers frequency, intensity, duty cycle, and treatment area for acute and chronic conditions. Teaches systematic parameter adjustment based on tissue depth and healing stage.

Lesson 1 • Iontophoresis Principles

Explains electromigration and electroosmosis as mechanisms for transdermal ion delivery. Connects electrode polarity and ion charge to clinical drug selection.

Lesson 2 • Iontophoresis Drug Selection and Protocols

Covers commonly used ions, their therapeutic targets, and evidence-based dosing protocols. Teaches clinicians to match ion selection to specific musculoskeletal conditions.

Lesson 3 • Electrical Stimulation for Wound Healing

Explains the bioelectric wound healing model and how applied current mimics natural skin battery. Covers polarity selection for different wound healing phases.

Lesson 1 • Combining Electrotherapy Modalities

Guides safe and effective combination of multiple modalities within a single treatment session. Addresses sequencing, timing, and potential interaction effects.

Lesson 2 • Documentation and Professional Standards

Covers clinical note writing, informed consent, and adherence to professional practice standards. Prepares graduates for accountable, legally defensible electrotherapy practice.

Lesson 3 • Monitoring, Progression, and Discharge

Establishes criteria for advancing, modifying, or discontinuing electrotherapy interventions. Ensures treatment remains goal-directed and responsive to patient progress.

Lesson 4 • Evidence-Based Modality Selection

Teaches systematic appraisal of research to justify modality choice for specific conditions. Connects levels of evidence to clinical decision-making frameworks.