Alternative treatments for endometriosis extend far beyond the boundaries of herbal supplements and homeopathy.  Some sufferers seek Interferential Electro-Therapy to relieve their symptoms and help them get on with their life.  Although this may sound, well, shocking, interferential electro-therapy isn’t as bizarre as it sounds.  In actuality, it can be quite an effective way of relieving pain.

Since you may be unfamiliar with this form of alternative therapy, the following are answers to some of the more prominent questions that may be lingering on your mind.

What is interferential electro-therapy?
It is a form of therapeutic treatment that assists in alleviating pain and encourages healing of the soft tissues in the body (muscles, tendons and ligaments) through electrical muscle stimulation.

How does the therapy work?
Miniscule amounts of electrical impulses are induced into the bodily tissue in the targeted area through electro-therapy patches.  These impulses interconnect beneath the surface of the skin, creating a stimulation of low frequency.  The stimulation prompts the body to produce endorphins (natural painkillers) to alleviate pain.

How can interferential electro-therapy help those with endometriosis?
Those who have endometriosis receive electro therapy in their pelvic region.  Four electro-therapy patches are used.  Two are placed on either side of the lower back, and two are positioned on either side of the pelvic region.  The electrical impulses that are induced into the targeted area are meant to create criss-cross stimulation in the pelvis to ease pain and encourage healing.

Does the therapy hurt or is it uncomfortable?
No.  The vast majority of people who undergo interferential electro-therapy describe it as a dull sensation that is similar to a “pins and needles” feeling.

Why is interferential electro-therapy a recommended treatment?
A number of practitioners believe that this form of electro therapy greatly helps areas of injured tissue by increasing the lymphatic flow and blood flow they receive.  By improving blood and lymphatic flow, this increases the amount of oxygen and nutrients delivered to the injured tissue.  This helps to reduce swelling which works to alleviate pain.

What are the benefits of this therapy?
Interferential therapy has been known to:

 *Encourage the body to release endorphins
 *Decrease and/or relieve painful symptoms
 *Reduce swelling in the tissue
 *Speeds up the healing process
 *Encourage muscle tone
 *Restores normal movement in an injured area

Are there any negative side effects?
Yes.  Some people may not be able to undergo interferential electro therapy if they have cancer, cardiac problems, have a seizure disorder or a pacemaker.  In addition, you should also know:

 *Patients have had allergic reactions to electro-therapy patches
 *Electro therapy shouldn’t be used:
 *After a head injury or acute trauma
 *Over the neck or face – this can cause serious spasms of the neck muscles (laryngeal and pharyngeal) which can cause the throat to close and obstruct the airway or make breathing difficult
 *Over areas of the skin that are infected or inflamed
 *Over the heart

Most people who experience interferential elector-therapy find the treatment to be extremely beneficial.  If you are interested in trying this form of alternative treatment or another type of therapy to treat endometriosis, it is always best to consult your doctor first to find out what he or she recommends.

For more information on all aspects of treating endometriosis please visit Treating Your Endometriosis.