FARADIC CURRENT

Definition: A faradic-type of current is a

short duration interrupted direct current
with a pulse duration of 0.01 -1ms and a
frequency of 50-100hz.
Characteristics of FC:
- the current provided by the first faradic
coil was an unevenly alternating current,
each cycle consisting of two unequal
phases, the first of low intensity and long
duration, the second of high intensity and
short duration.
- the frequency was approximately 50hzs
and the duration of the second phase,

- this faradic coil has now been

superseded by electronic stimulators.
These supply currents which produce the
same physiological effects as the original
faradic current, although often differing
considerably from them in waveform. In
new equipment, there is no 1st phase, it
gives only 2nd phase which is effective
one.
- the faradic current is used for producing
muscle contractions by stimulation of the
motor nerves.

MODIFIED FARADIC CURRENTS

- Faradic type currents are always surged
for treatment purposes to produce a near
normal tetanic like contraction and
relaxation of muscle.
- unmodified current
- the current is surged so that the
intensity of successive impulses increases
gradually, each impulse reaching a peak
value greater than the preceding one,
and falls either suddenly or gradually.
Like..

- the circuit can be modified to give

surges of various durations, frequencies
and wave forms.
- it is desirable that the durations of the
surges and the intervals between them
should be regulated by separate controls
in order that the most satisfactory muscle
contractions and rest periods can be
obtained for each patient.

 PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF FARADIC

STIMULATION:
1. stimulation of sensory nerves:
-a mild prickling sensation is experienced.
It is due to stimulation of the sensory
nerves, and is not very marked, because
the stimuli are of fairly short duration.
-a reflex vasodilatation of the superficial
blood vessels, so that there is slight
reddening of the skin, or erythema. The
vasodilatation is probably confined to the
superficial tissues, and is of little practical
value.

 2. stimulation of motor nerves:

-the current is of sufficient intensity
causes contraction of the muscle.
-Because the stimuli are repeated 50
times per second or more, the contraction
is tetanic.
- Consequently the current
is surged or interrupted to allow for
muscle relaxation.
-When the current is surged the
contraction gradually increases and
decreases in strength, in a manner similar
to a voluntary contraction.

 3. effect of muscle contraction:

blood supply to muscle- the changes
taking place within the muscle are similar
to voluntary contraction.
- there is increase in metabolism, so O2
and foodstuff demand increases and
waste product increases.
- this metabolites cause dilatation of
capillaries and arterioles, and there is an
increased blood supply to the muscle.

venous and lymphatic return- pumping

action on the veins and lymphatic
vessels. So fluid is moved towards the
heart. Thus there is increased venous and
lymphatic return.
increase bulk and strength of the
muscle- if a muscle contracts a sufficient
number of times against the resistance of
an adequate load there is increase in bulk
of the fibres and the muscle is
strengthened.

4. effect of denervated muscle: it is

not effective for stimulation of
denervated muscle. Only on very rare
occasions can a contraction of completely
denervated muscle be produced with a
stimulus as short as 1 millisecond.
5. pole used for stimulation:

6. chemical effects: