Using your IF-4 MultiWave

IFC is the classic interferential current therapy. It is most commonly used to relieve chronic and acute pain. The two generators within the device send electric frequencies into the muscle tissue where they collide with one another. When used on the high frequency setting, the electrical stimulation floods the nerves in the targeted area with sensation, overwhelming them, and blocking pain signals from traveling to the brain. This follows the ‘Gate Control Theory’ of pain relief. The targeted area may experience tingling and numbing during treatment. The pain relief effects may last a few hours after the standard 15 minute treatment. The IFC treatment is most effective on a larger body part, like the lower and middle back, shoulder, thigh, etc, as the electric current radiates outward from the electrode patch, delivering the treatment to a larger area. We recommend using Keystone Rehab Products large and medium quatrode electrode patches to get the most benefit from IFC treatment.

IFC at a low frequency (1-10 Hz) can stimulate the brain’s production of endorphins, the body’s natural pain relievers. When using IFC low frequency, the main benefit of treatment is still pain relief, just delivered through a different pathway. The low frequency may make the targeted muscles contract slightly (or twitch) which stimulates blood flow and endorphin release in the targeted area. The effects of the standard 15 minute treatment may last for a few hours. IFC treatment is most effective on larger areas such as the lower and middle back, shoulder, thigh, etc, as the electricity diffuses outward nonlinearly from the electrode patch. We recommend using Keystone Rehab Products large and medium style quatrode electrode patches when using IFC treatment.

This program is the same as IFC, but instead of the frequencies colliding within the muscle tissue, they are pre-modulated (mixed) within the machine. The resulting frequency is delivered through a single channel and a smaller electrode, which directs the flow of electricity linearly between the 2 small electrodes. This allows the treatment to be carried out on smaller body parts and softer tissues. This treatment is particularly effective for linear pain like carpal tunnel, tendonitis, etc. We recommend 2×2 inch square or 2×4 inch rectangular electrodes when using the PMOD program.

HMOD uses the same premixing of frequencies as PMOD, but uses a higher carrier frequency (5,000 Hz). The higher carrier frequency allows the current to penetrate more comfortably. When using HMOD, the sensation during treatment is softer and less intense. This program is best used on delicate boney areas like joints, hands, feet, ankles, wrists, etc. We recommend 2×2 inch square or 2×4 inch rectangle electrodes when using HMOD, as the current will be delivered linearly between the 2 electrodes.

Aside from relieving pain, our device can also help ‘retrain’ muscles after an injury when using NMES mode. When muscles are injured or atrophied, the neural pathway connection between the brain and that muscle is diminished. The frequency emitted by our device while using this program is similar to the frequency that travels through the neural pathways to the brain as the muscles contract naturally. When NMES mode is applied to the affected muscle, the electricity helps the muscle contract without using the brain. The brain registers this sensation in the stimulated muscle, which strengthens the connection and retrains the neural pathways to pass messages efficiently. Additionally, NMES program 5 is designed to break muscle spasms by fatiguing the muscle. 2×2 square or 2×4 rectangle electrodes are typically used with NMES mode.