Iontophoresis

Iontophoresis is a form of electrical stimulation that physical therapists use to administer medication into a patient’s body through the skin. It is a therapeutic modality that is used in some specialized treatment plans based on the needs of the patient. It can treat a variety of conditions, such as bursitis, tendinitis, or the management of scar tissue. If you are experiencing a condition that is causing pain, contact Balanced Body Physical Therapy today to find out if iontophoresis could benefit you.

How does Iontophoresis work?

Our Salt Lake City physical therapists will first determine which medication should be administered before beginning the treatment. This will be dependent upon the nature of your condition and may require a prescription from your doctor. The medication will then be applied to your “iontophoresis patch” and your treatment can begin.

There are different ways to administer iontophoresis. Some methods use a machine that will connect to a positive and a negative pad which will be used to drive 40 mA minutes of medication into the affected tissue. There are other patches which are considered smart patches. These patches have everything built into one pad and are worn over a specific period of time based on the manufacturer.

When the patch is applied to your body, the electrical current will drive the medication into the affected tissue relieving pain and promoting healing. Many people ask, “does Iontophoresis hurt?” – The answer is NO! You will not feel pain from the treatment, but you may feel a slight tingling sensation at times during the treatment.

After the treatment, your skin under the pad may be a bit red, which is completely normal. Additional treatments using Iontophoresis will be determined by your physical therapist.

Schedule an appointment to learn more

Our Salt Lake City physical therapists are dedicated to creating the best treatment plan for you. If you are interested in iontophoresis and you would like to find out if it would work for you, schedule an appointment at our Salt Lake City physical therapy office today. At Balanced Body Physical Therapy, we will help you recover as quickly as possible!