Machine settings and dangers for IFT

Question 1

What time after occurrence is an injury classed as acute/ subacute/ chronic?

Answer 1

acute = up to 4 days
subacute = 5-14 days
chronic - 15+ days

Question 2

two pole or four pole?

Answer 2

a. Two pole for superficial
b. Four pole for deeper injuries at joints or large areas like back

Question 3

What’s your range of frequencies?

Answer 3

a. 2-4Hz to activate opiate system for chronic pain
b. 10-25Hz for muscle stimulation to pump & flush oedema & so help ROM
c. 100-120Hz for pain gate to help with acute pain

Question 4

Are you going to select an on/off time (amount of time frequency is applied, which is an option with 2 pole)?

Answer 4

No - it’s optional. Say you are going to be careful with the intensity but want the patient to have a consistent treatment so not going to use time on/ time off setting

Question 5

How long will you treat for?

Answer 5

a. 10 mins first appointment acute or subacute
b. 20 mins first appointment chronic

Good to say at first appt you don’t want to overwhelm them and you know you can always increase in subsequent sessions up to 30 mins

Question 6

What intensity?

Answer 6

a. Set maximally for their comfort
b. You may need to gradually increase to account for accommodation

Question 7

What are the dangers with IFT?

Answer 7

1. Tetanic contraction- in extreme cases this can detach a muscle from the bone. That’s why we do the skin test so we know they can feel
2. Not doing skin test
   - Not checking contraindications
3. Holding down the intensity button so it shoots up instead of pressing it up one by one
4. Not wetting pads or sponges so they can burn the skin
5. Wrong settings on machine (poss causing contraction)
6. Mild electric shock if you accidentally touch the sponges when the machine is on
7. Not having the machines calibrated at least once a year so you are confident that it is delivering what it says on the screen