How Athletes Use Electrotherapy For Pain Management

 

Athletes may sometimes find themselves sidelined due to a sports injury, keeping them from bringing their A-game or enjoying their workouts. When that happens, pain management for athletes is of the utmost importance so they can maintain their fit and active lifestyles. After all, athletes can’t play well when pain gets in the way.

With today’s technology, athletes don’t need to rely on painkillers or on the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) alone when it comes to pain management. Electrotherapy can help athletes combat pain and recover faster so they can focus on improving performance. Here’s how.

What Is Electrotherapy?

 

For many athletes, pain is part of the training cycle. When pain worsens, it can affect performance and take away the joy of the game, match, or race. That’s why pain management is key for every athlete.

One method of pain management that is popular with athletes is electrotherapy. Electrotherapy includes a range of treatments that use electricity to reduce pain, repair tissue, strengthen muscle, and improve circulation. There are a variety of electrotherapy devices on the market, so how do athletes know which one to use when dealing with pain?

Types Of Electrotherapy For Pain Management

 

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS, is a type of electrotherapy that uses low frequency signals to reduce pain. A traditional TENS machine uses small pads to deliver small electrical signals to the skin’s surface, which can help some people with pain management while the machine is in use. However, TENS cannot penetrate through the skin, so it doesn’t lend itself to long-lasting pain relief.

That’s where subcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation comes in. All BioWave devices, including the portable, wearable BioWaveGO, use subcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation to send high frequency signals through the skin and deep into the pain fibers of the muscles. BioWave’s patented technology uses these signals to create a type of barrier between the nerve and the brain, essentially blocking pain at the source.

What’s more, the electrical field creates a sensation known as hypoesthesia, or a light numbness in the area, which means you can use BioWave technology for 30 minutes and feel long-lasting pain relief.

The innovative technology that powers BioWave was researched and developed for 15 years, and now benefits athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and anyone seeking effective pain management. For example, chiropractor Dr. Kayte Susse (find her at @drkayte) shared via Instagram how she uses BioWaveGO to interrupt the pain cycle as someone who regularly works out.

“Fitness requires focused energy to muscle groups. When there is lack of activation and low energy, it’s easy for injuries to occur. Chronic, even low grade tension and pain will divert energy from the muscle you want to work out to perpetuate a vicious trigger point cycle. I’m excited to interrupt that unconscious loop with @biowavego.”

She adds: “BioWave’s patented, proven, effective neurostimulation leapfrogs today’s current technology with its advanced, patented pain blocking approach to pain relief. Because it’s designed to deliver therapeutic electrical signals into deep tissue.”

How Athletes Manage Pain With BioWaveGO

 

Like Dr. Kayte, athletes who play all different sports turn to BioWaveGO for pain management and recovery. Here are some examples:

1. Use BioWaveGO for Workout/Game Day Prep and Recovery

BioWaveGO can be used pre-, during, and post-workout to keep athletes at the top of their game. Six-time PGA Tour Champion Rocco Mediate says BioWaveGO is part of his daily routine and a must-have device on tour. He considers it to be the best treatment he’s found for pain relief and inflammation.

2. Wear BioWaveGO During Travel

Sitting for long periods of time during travel between competitions can contribute to joint and muscle stiffness and inflammation. Olympic champion Tianna Bartoletta wears her BioWaveGO device on plane rides with electrodes placed on her lower back to make travel easier on her body.

3. Integrate BioWaveGO into Your Rest Days

Rest is critical for athletes’ bodies, making rest days necessary so their muscles can repair, rebuild, and strengthen. BioWaveGO is a great tool to use on rest days. Carlee Turner of the Boston Pride uses it a couple of days a week – whether she’s “sitting on the couch, watching TV, or cooking dinner, BioWave is a great recovery tool to use at any time of the day.”

Like these athletes, if you are looking to improve your daily function, get back on the course, or recover after an intense workout, turn to BioWaveGO. Learn more about this handheld device trusted by elite athletes and people like you.