H WAVE- How Electrical Stimulation Can Help You
At ProTailored Physical Therapy, our offices are equipped with a device called H-Wave that therapists can use throughout the rehabilitation process to improve patient outcomes. This device uses a “mild signal that produces comfortable, non-fatiguing muscle contractions to improve circulation and lymphatic drainage”1. This lymphatic drainage can help to decrease inflammation and promote healing throughout the targeted tissue. The H- Wave also has a second setting that “ generates a stronger signal that creates a profound analgesic effect, therefore providing hours of significant pain relief”1. With these two settings, your therapist can provide treatment for a wide variety of conditions ranging from acute injuries (post surgical or post traumatic pain) to chronic pain conditions.
Traditionally, the term RICE (Rest, Ice, Compress, and Elevate) has been used to describe the healing process after an injury. There is a lot of new research to support the idea that ice can delay tissue healing and can damage the involved tissue resulting in a longer recovery timeline.2 Your therapist can use the H wave to increase local blood circulation to promote recovery and provide the affected tissue with the healing nutrients it needs to recover in addition to stimulating affected muscle in order to improve or facilitate muscle performance. Overall, the H-Wave will get you on the fast track to healing.
This H-Wave device is different from your traditional TENS unit or other electrical stimulation devices commonly used in other physical therapy practices. Both devices aim to decrease pain, but the H-Wave works to provide longer lasting benefits due to the mechanisms in how it works. This means you get longer lasting relief with the H-Wave compared to the traditional TENS and the positive impacts it has on tissue healing can further promote your healing process!1
How do you know if H- Wave is right for you? Your therapist will review a couple of questions with you prior to utilization of the device. You should not use the device if you have a cardiac pacemaker, defibrillator, or other implanted metallic electronic device. You should also not use the H-Wave if you have epilepsy, an abdominal or inguinal hernia, and/or have cancer or cancerous lesions.1
If you think you might benefit from the H-Wave, give us a call to schedule an appointment where you can sit down and talk with our therapist to develop a uniquely tailored plan to treat your problems. Please call (260) 739-0300 to schedule an appointment with ProTailored Physical Therapy at one of our 4 locations in Fort Wayne!
References:
- https://www.h-wave.com/faq/#:~:text=Is%20H%2DWave%20different%20from,once%20the%20pads%20are%20off.
- Academy USS. The R.I.C.E Protocol is a MYTH: A Review and Recommendations. The Sport Journal. Published October 30, 2020. Accessed August 8, 2022. https://thesportjournal.org/article/the-r-i-c-e-protocol-is-a-myth-a-review-and-recommendations/?_ga=2.224615258.1997713310.1659966206-1886844848.1659966206