CURRENT BATH

Typical Number in Hospital: 1

Cost Bands: 2

References: 10

Electrical stimulation of the muscles as a form of physiotherapy is normally applied through electrodes mounted on the skin over the muscles concerned. A more general stimulation, often intended to improve blood supply, may be achieved by immersing a limb in a special water bath in which the electrodes are placed but without contacting the limb. Faradic and sinusoidal stimulating currents may be used and the application may be bipolar or monopolar. In a bipolar bath treatment electrodes are placed each side of, or at each end of, the limb to be treated whereas in monopolar baths one electrode may be placed directly on the limb. Treatment is normally performed in water without the addition of salt so that more of the current will pass through the limb itself.

The apparatus used with current baths is the same as for electrotherapy using surface electrodes, i.e. faradic treatment unit or electrotherapy set.