Electrotherapy in Physiotherapy Course

Lesson 1 • Electrode Types, Placement, and Skin Preparation

Describes electrode materials, sizes, and placement strategies that optimize current delivery. Proper skin preparation reduces impedance and adverse events.

Lesson 2 • Basic Electrical Concepts for Clinicians

Covers voltage, current, resistance, and impedance as applied to tissue. Provides the quantitative literacy needed for safe parameter selection.

Lesson 3 • Safety Principles and Contraindications

Identifies universal contraindications, precautions, and equipment safety checks. Ensures clinicians prevent harm before applying any electrotherapy modality.

Lesson 4 • History and Evolution of Electrotherapy

Traces electrotherapy from early galvanic experiments to modern modalities. Contextualizes current practice within a century of clinical development.

Lesson 1 • Clinical Applications of NMES

Applies NMES to post-surgical atrophy, stroke rehabilitation, and sports recovery. Students match application protocols to specific patient presentations.

Lesson 2 • Electrode Placement for Major Muscle Groups

Maps motor point locations and optimal electrode configurations for key muscle groups. Accurate placement maximizes contraction quality and patient comfort.

Lesson 3 • Outcome Measurement and Progression

Introduces objective tools to track NMES-driven strength and function gains. Guides clinicians in adjusting protocols based on measurable patient progress.

Lesson 4 • NMES Parameter Selection

Guides selection of pulse width, frequency, on/off ratio, and intensity for specific goals. Connects each parameter to the desired physiological and functional outcome.

Lesson 1 • TENS for Acute and Chronic Pain Conditions

Applies TENS protocols to musculoskeletal, neuropathic, and post-surgical pain. Students design individualized plans based on pain type and duration.

Lesson 2 • TENS Modes and Parameter Ranges

Distinguishes conventional, acupuncture-like, burst, and modulated TENS modes. Matches each mode to appropriate pain presentations and patient tolerance.

Lesson 3 • Electrode Placement Strategies for Pain

Covers dermatomal, myotomal, paravertebral, and acupoint placement approaches. Correct site selection determines analgesic reach and treatment effectiveness.

Lesson 4 • Pain Physiology Relevant to TENS

Reviews nociception, gate control theory, and descending inhibition pathways. Provides the mechanistic rationale for each TENS mode's analgesic effect.

Lesson 1 • Physics of Interferential Therapy

Explains how two medium-frequency currents interfere to produce a low-frequency beat. Demonstrates why IFT penetrates deeper than conventional low-frequency TENS.

Lesson 2 • Clinical Uses of Interferential Therapy

Applies IFT to deep joint pain, edema reduction, and pelvic floor dysfunction. Students select IFT over other modalities based on tissue depth and condition.

Lesson 3 • IFT Parameter Selection and Application

Guides clinicians in selecting beat frequency, sweep range, and electrode vectors for target tissues. Proper vector alignment maximizes current density at the lesion site.

Lesson 4 • Integrating IFT and Russian Stimulation

Guides clinical decision-making when combining or sequencing IFT and Russian stimulation within a treatment session. Addresses contraindications specific to medium-frequency currents.

Lesson 1 • Physics of Therapeutic Ultrasound

Covers piezoelectric transduction, frequency, wavelength, and beam characteristics. Provides the physical foundation for understanding tissue absorption and penetration depth.

Lesson 2 • Thermal and Non-Thermal Mechanisms

Distinguishes continuous ultrasound thermal effects from pulsed cavitation and acoustic streaming. Links each mechanism to specific tissue healing stages and clinical goals.

Lesson 3 • Clinical Applications of Ultrasound

Applies ultrasound to tendinopathy, scar tissue, bursitis, and fracture healing. Students design protocols matched to tissue type, depth, and healing phase.

Lesson 4 • Phonophoresis and Combined Modalities

Introduces drug delivery via ultrasound and combination with electrical modalities. Students evaluate evidence and select appropriate topical agents for phonophoresis.

Lesson 1 • Microwave Diathermy Application

Describes microwave applicator types, distance, and tissue selectivity for superficial heating. Compares microwave with shortwave for specific anatomical targets.

Lesson 2 • Contraindications and Safety for Diathermy

Identifies implant, fluid, and tissue-specific contraindications unique to high-frequency diathermy. Establishes environmental safety protocols for clinical diathermy use.

Lesson 3 • Electromagnetic Spectrum and Diathermy

Positions shortwave and microwave frequencies within the electromagnetic spectrum. Explains how radiofrequency energy converts to heat within biological tissues.

Lesson 4 • Shortwave Diathermy Techniques

Covers capacitive and inductive electrode methods, spacing, and patient positioning. Correct technique ensures uniform deep heating and avoids superficial burns.

Lesson 1 • Principles of Laser and Light Physics

Explains coherence, monochromaticity, collimation, and tissue optical properties. Provides the physical basis for understanding how light energy reaches target tissue.

Lesson 2 • Clinical Applications of Photobiomodulation

Applies laser therapy to wound healing, tendinopathy, arthritis, and neuropathic pain. Students design evidence-based protocols for each condition category.

Lesson 3 • Photobiomodulation Cellular Mechanisms

Describes cytochrome c oxidase activation, ATP production, and reactive oxygen species modulation. Links cellular photochemistry to tissue-level healing and pain relief.

Lesson 4 • Safety, Classification, and Regulations

Covers laser hazard classification, ocular safety, and clinical safety protocols. Ensures students meet professional and regulatory safety standards before clinical use.

Lesson 1 • Complex and Multimorbid Patient Management

Adapts electrotherapy protocols for patients with diabetes, cardiac conditions, and implanted devices. Develops risk stratification skills for high-complexity clinical scenarios.

Lesson 2 • Clinical Reasoning Frameworks for Electrotherapy

Applies hypothetico-deductive and pattern recognition reasoning to modality selection. Structures the clinical reasoning process from assessment findings to treatment choice.

Lesson 3 • Ethical Practice and Informed Consent

Addresses informed consent, patient autonomy, and ethical boundaries in electrotherapy practice. Prepares students to navigate clinical and professional ethical dilemmas.

Lesson 4 • Multimodal Electrotherapy Planning

Designs treatment sessions combining two or more electrotherapy modalities with manual therapy and exercise. Addresses sequencing, timing, and interaction effects between modalities.