Functional percutaneous neuromodulation
This is an avant-garde technique used in physiotherapy that seeks to stimulate the nervous system by introducing electric current into acupuncture needles located close to the peripheral nerves.
The aim of the technique is to modify nervous activity in order to improve pain, neuromuscular function, motor control and accelerate the healing processes of injured tissues.
Percutaneous neuromodulation is considered a powerful tool that complements and enhances the therapeutic effect of a physiotherapy session.
What is percutaneous neuromodulation?
Percutaneous electrical neuromodulation (PEN) uses a low or medium frequency current (alternating current) applied through a needle inserted into the patient's body to stimulate peripheral nerves to modify their activity and relieve pain. It is mainly used for neuropathic or musculoskeletal pain. It is an effective and safe technique since it is performed under ultrasound guidance.
Effects and benefits of percutaneous neuromodulation
The main effects of neuromodulation (NPF) are:
- Pain reduction.
- Activation or inhibition of the muscles depending on the pathology and the objective of the treatment.
- Muscle relaxation.
- Stimulation of neuroplasticity: The nervous system adapts and reorganizes to recover lost functions.
- Improves blood circulation, accelerating the healing process of tissues, and can reduce inflammation and edema.
These effects generate great benefits for the patient in the medium-long term, such as the elimination of pain, giving the patient quality of life, optimization of neuromuscular function, gain in mobility and joint range, shorter recovery time from an injury and the reduction or elimination of the use of drugs.
Percutaneous neuromodulation may be of great interest in post-surgical patients, patients with chronic pain or athletes who want to increase their performance.
Contraindications of percutaneous neuromodulation
Percutaneous neuromodulation is a safe technique in our physiotherapy centre as it is performed using ultrasound and by professionals with extensive training in this type of approach. However, as with any procedure, some contraindications must be taken into account to avoid complications:
- Pacemakers or implanted electronic devices.
- Metal prostheses or implants.
- Pregnancy.
- Coagulation disorders or use of anticoagulants.
- Infection in the treatment area.
- Uncontrolled epilepsy.
- Allergy to the material.
- Patients with major health complications: cancer, heart disease, severe psychological disorders, skin conditions, systemic diseases, etc.
Is percutaneous electrical neuromodulation painful?
Percutaneous stimulation is not a painful technique. The patient describes it as a tolerable and, in many cases, even relaxing experience..
In general terms, patients usually feel muscle contractions, tingling, mild heat or a slight bearable current.
If pain occurs during the technique, it may be due to the patient's individual threshold, the intensity of the current, the location of the needle (areas with a higher density of nerve endings or fatty areas may offer greater sensitivity) or the type of pathology that the patient has (hypersensitivity or chronic pain).
In any case, the physiotherapist is responsible for adjusting the technique so that the patient can benefit from its effects without pain, and may even reject it if the stimulus becomes unpleasant.
Can you exercise after an invasive neuromodulation session?
Yes, in fact, exercise should be performed, meaning exercise that can help enhance and reinforce the therapeutic effects of the physiotherapy session performed and always under the recommendations of the healthcare professional who treated you.
Exercise should be of moderate or low intensity, especially during the first 24 hours, to avoid overloading the treated tissues.
The exercises scheduled after a NPF session aim to consolidate the neuromuscular changes achieved during the session and should be focused on improving motor control, mobility and/or activation of the treated muscles.
Can you train or compete after a percutaneous neuromodulation session?
It is advisable that the training that day or the activity to be carried out later is not strenuous or of great intensity, since after an intervention of this type the body needs a period of adaptation to the applied stimulus. On the contrary, intense training could counteract the effects of the therapy.
If it is a competition, it is best not to perform this type of treatment beforehand, since, as it is a therapy that affects the nervous system, it can cause a loss of strength or neuromuscular fatigue, temporarily weakening some areas, which can decrease sports performance or even increase the risk of injury. This is why this therapy should be applied during periods of the season far from the competition or on days with less workload, avoiding being close to the day of competition.
Physiotherapy center in Alcalá de Henares, specialized in the application of percutaneous neuromodulation.
Evolution Advanced Physiotherapy Clinic is a benchmark in Alcalá de Henares in the application of the percutaneous neuromodulation technique, as we have expert physiotherapists who are constantly training in the most innovative methods in the field of health.
Our work methodology includes an initial prior assessment of the patient with the aim of using the therapeutic tools that best fit the needs of the individual.
