Download Faradic File - Totton College

Faradic body treatments
Electrical muscle stimulation
What is Faradic?
• The faradic current is an interrupted direct
current
• Current flowing from the pads sends a signal
to the motor point of the muscle causing it to
contract (in the same way as it would if the
signal came from the brain)
• In order to resemble natural exercise the
current is surged and interrupted(current
causes contraction, interrupt the current and
the muscle relaxes)
Task
In pairs use the resources available to you
to investigate the following;
• What is a motor point?
• What is the origin and insertion of a
muscle?
• How do muscles contract (clue; actin and
myosin)?
• Why is it possible to produce contraction
with an electrical machine?
What is Faradism?
• A popular treatment for toning slack
muscles and improving figure
shapes/contours
• Classed as a passive exercise (as the
client does not have to do anything)
• It is also an isometric exercise as there
is no joint movement
• It does not alter body weight unless
combined with diet and exercise
Effects of the current
• Stimulates nerves
The primary reaction is a mild prickling sensation
underneath the pads due to sensory nerve stimulation.
Sensory stimulation causes reflex vaso-dilation of
superficial blood vessels.
As soon as sufficient current in applied the motor
nerves are stimulated to cause muscle contraction.
To avoid muscle fatigue the current must be
interrupted to allow the muscle to rest
Effects of the current
• Increases blood and lymph circulation
As the muscles contract and relax they
exert a pumping action on the veins and
lymphatic vessels around them.
Muscles are supplied with more oxygen
& nutrients and waste removal is more
efficient.
Effects of the current
• Produces erythema
A mild erythema is produced under the
pads due to the dilation of superficial
blood vessels.
Effects of the current
• Contracts muscle
When a muscle contracts as a result of electrical
stimulation it shortens and then lengthens when the
current is interrupted, just as it would with voluntary
muscle contraction.
In time this increases/improves muscle tone.
This improves the shape and contours of the body.
A good contraction is obtained with the least amount
of current necessary so getting the pads directly
over the motor points is important.
Uses of faradic
• General toning linked to a combined treatment
course
• Strengthen weak muscles
• After childbirth – GP approval, usually after 6
week check up
• Improve posture
• Body maintenance
• After or during dieting
• Reshaping specific areas
Contra-indications
In pairs or small groups try to think of at
least 5 contra-indications to faradism and
why they are so?
Record your findings on the task sheet
provided and compare them with the
answers hidden on the next slide.
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Contra-indications
Muscular disorders
Nervous system disorders
Metal plates, pins, piercings in the area or an IUD coil
Pregnancy
Epilepsy
Heart or circulatory conditions
Loss of skin sensation
Recent surgery/scar tissue
Skin diseases
Diabetes
Bruising
Highly nervous clients
Not over varicose veins
Thrombosis/phlebitis
Reasons for poor muscle
contraction
• Skin has not be cleansed properly, oil or
grease will act as a barrier
• Insufficient moisture on the pads
• Poor pad positioning
• Pads are strapped too tightly to the body
• Current intensity is not sufficient to produce
a contraction
• Subcutaneous fat is acting as a barrier to
current flow (more common in obese clients)
• Muscle fatigue
The controls
• Frequency – indicates impulses per second
60 – comfortable contractions on large untoned muscles, areas of dense subcutaneous
fat or areas of high resistance
120 – stimulates superficial fascia & muscle,
may be used on areas of little or not fat, or
well toned muscle
The controls
• Intensity – controls level of contraction
Intensity is set for each set of pads so that
they can be set to suit client comfort & tone
of muscle.
The intensity should be turned up slowly
whilst the current is flowing to avoid shocking
the client with a strong muscle contraction.
The controls must be at zero before you
begin treatment and at the end.
Padding layouts
• Split padding
the pair of pads are split & placed on corresponding
muscles either side of the body – normally used on
small muscles
• Dual padding
the pair of pads are placed on the same muscle/muscle
group either side of the body
each side of the body is dealt with separately &
different intensities can be used. This will
compensate for differences in muscle size, shape, bulk
& natural strength in either left or right side
pads can be placed longitudinally down the length of
the muscle to take greatest advantage of muscle
shortening during contraction
Treatment times & frequency
• to be effective the client will need
between 2 & 3 treatments per week for
the first 4-6 weeks
• Maintenance of 1-2 treatments a month
• Treatments last 15-20 minutes but no
longer than 30 minutes
• It is better to have 3 short treatments
per week than 1 long treatment