injuryupdate
20-11-2004, 12:16 PM
It is a pity that there is very little science comparing modalities like ultrasound, interferential, magnetic field, whole body vibration, shock wave and even hyperbaric oxygen.
It would be nice to say that our sponsor BEMER has been shown in trials to be superior to other modalities or even other units within the same subclass (electromagnetic field), however I am not aware of any comparison studies.
The advanatages that the BEMER units seem to have from a practical viewpoint are:
1. Able to be applied alternatively as a whole body system or a specific regional treatment, i.e. treat general soreness or a specific injury.
2. Able to be applied safely by the patient themselves or by a non-professional member of staff.
3. As a subset of 2., able to be used as a adjunct to a treatment session at a clinic, as a specific extra visit or as a hire (take-home) option.
4. Within the mag field class, apparently has a wider range of frequencies than other models.
5. Quick and easy to apply (compared to say interferential or ultrasound) allowing rapid turnover of patients.
Although electrotherapy gets a bad rap from some physios (because non-intelligent physios can use it as well as those who have a better understanding of the injury) it definitely has a role to play in a total treatment regime. We still need to define better which injuries it is most helpful for, which is the same for manipulation, physio in general (and surgery etc etc.!)
It would be nice to say that our sponsor BEMER has been shown in trials to be superior to other modalities or even other units within the same subclass (electromagnetic field), however I am not aware of any comparison studies.
The advanatages that the BEMER units seem to have from a practical viewpoint are:
1. Able to be applied alternatively as a whole body system or a specific regional treatment, i.e. treat general soreness or a specific injury.
2. Able to be applied safely by the patient themselves or by a non-professional member of staff.
3. As a subset of 2., able to be used as a adjunct to a treatment session at a clinic, as a specific extra visit or as a hire (take-home) option.
4. Within the mag field class, apparently has a wider range of frequencies than other models.
5. Quick and easy to apply (compared to say interferential or ultrasound) allowing rapid turnover of patients.
Although electrotherapy gets a bad rap from some physios (because non-intelligent physios can use it as well as those who have a better understanding of the injury) it definitely has a role to play in a total treatment regime. We still need to define better which injuries it is most helpful for, which is the same for manipulation, physio in general (and surgery etc etc.!)