Electrotherapies

Elements of a Veterinary Physiotherapy Consultation

*****Electrotherapies (post 6/10)

Electrotherapies form a structured adjunct within equine veterinary physiotherapy, applied to support pain modulation, tissue repair, neuromuscular activation and oedema management.

Common modalities include TENS, NMES, pulsed electromagnetic therapy (PEMT), photobiomodulation/low level laser therapy (LLLT), therapeutic ultrasound (US) and H-wave therapy. Each operates via distinct physiological mechanisms, ranging from peripheral nerve stimulation to modulation of cellular activity and tissue perfusion.

Clinical selection is not interchangeable. TENS is typically used for analgesia via gate control. NMES targets motor nerve activation to support muscle recruitment where voluntary control is reduced. Laser, ultrasound and electromagnetic-based systems are more commonly directed at soft tissue healing and inflammatory modulation. H-wave therapy can promote analgesia, enhance tissue perfusion and support muscle pump activity with minimal fatigue.

Integration is key. Electrotherapies should sit within a broader rehabilitation framework that includes manual therapy, exercise prescription and appropriate workload modification.

Used in isolation, outcomes are limited. Used within a structured plan, they can support measurable functional change.

***Equilibre*** Promoting movement through freedom and balance