Rehabilitation electrode pads, as the "bridge" connecting rehabilitation equipment and the patient's body, their quality and usage methods directly and significantly affect the treatment outcome. Many people only focus on expensive rehabilitation equipment but overlook the small electrode pads, which may lead to "twice the effort for half the result" and even bring risks.
In simple terms, poor-quality electrode pads or incorrect usage can prevent even the best equipment from functioning as it should.
Several key aspects of how electrode pads affect treatment outcomes:
1. Electrical conductivity and resistance
Ideal situation: High-quality electrode sheets have low resistance and high conductivity, ensuring that the electrical pulses generated by the device are efficiently and losslessly transmitted to the target nerves and muscles.
Impact
Poor electrical conductivity/high resistance: A large amount of electrical pulses are lost during transmission, and the effective stimulation intensity reaching the human body is insufficient. You may feel that you need to set the device strength very high to have a noticeable effect, but the actual therapeutic dose that penetrates deep into the tissue is far from sufficient, and the therapeutic effect is greatly reduced.
Uneven conductivity: It leads to an uneven distribution of current density, with some points being overly stimulated (causing a stinging sensation), while others are insufficiently stimulated.
2. Adhesion and fit
Ideal situation: The electrode sheet has a moderate viscosity, can closely and smoothly adhere to the skin, and has no bubbles or wrinkles.
Impact
Poor fit/Presence of bubbles: This will lead to a reduction in the contact area, a sharp increase in local current density, and cause a stinging sensation. At the same time, unstable contact will cause the current to be intermittent, and the stimulation sensation will "jump up and down", affecting the patient's tolerance and comfort, and making it impossible to complete the preset treatment time.
Complete detachment: Treatment interruption, loss of effect.
3. Gel components and biocompatibility
Ideal situation: The gel is moist, rich in electrolytes, can form good ion channels with the skin, and has low allergenicity.
Impact
Gel drying up: This is the most common problem. The resistance of a dried electrode sheet will become extremely high, its conductivity will drop sharply, and the therapeutic effect will be almost zero.
Skin allergy: Inferior gel or certain ingredients may cause allergic reactions such as redness, swelling, itching and rashes on the patient's skin. This not only interrupts the treatment but may also cause new skin problems.
4. Size and shape
Ideal situation: Select the appropriate size and shape based on the treatment area and purpose.
Impact
The size is too small: The current is concentrated within a small range. The depth of stimulation is acceptable, but the area of action is too small, making it unsuitable for treating large muscle groups and prone to causing a stinging sensation.
The size is too large: the current is dispersed, the stimulation intensity feels insufficient, and it is difficult to achieve a sufficient stimulation depth. However, for pain relief, sometimes large-area electrodes can better disperse the current and provide comfortable surface pain relief.
Shape mismatch: It cannot fit well to specific anatomical areas (such as around joints), affecting the precise focusing of the current.
5. Service life and number of reuses
Ideal situation: Follow the product instructions, use within the validity period, and avoid excessive reuse.
Impact
Excessive reuse: decreased viscosity, gel drying up, bacterial growth, and wear of the conductive coating, all of which can lead to a decline in electrical conductivity, weakened therapeutic effects, and an increased risk of skin allergies. The therapeutic effect of an electrode patch that has been used more than ten times may be less than one-tenth of that of a brand-new one.
How to ensure that the electrode pad achieves the best therapeutic effect?
To ensure you achieve the best treatment outcome, please follow the following suggestions :
1. Choose high-quality electrode plates: Don't just look for the cheapest ones. Choose a brand with a good reputation to ensure that it has good electrical conductivity, moderate adhesion and high biocompatibility.
2. Symptomatic selection: Based on your treatment needs (for pain relief or muscle strength training) and the type of equipment, choose the appropriate size and shape of the electrode pad .
3. Correct paste
Skin preparation: The area to be adhered should be clean, dry and free from damage. Excessive hair should be shaved off.
Tight fit: Ensure that the electrode pad is in full contact with the skin without any air bubbles.
Accurate location: Follow the therapist's instructions or the manual to attach the electrode pad to the correct muscle movement point or painful area.
4. Replace in time and do not reuse excessively
Once you feel a decrease in viscosity, a stinging sensation on the skin or a weakened therapeutic effect, you should replace it immediately.
It is generally recommended that the same pair of electrode pads be reused no more than 5 to 10 times (for specific details, please refer to the product instructions), or be replaced immediately when signs of drying out appear.
Proper storage: After use, return to the original sealed bag to prevent the gel from being exposed to the air and losing moisture.
Rehabilitation electrode pads are by no means insignificant consumables, but a crucial link in the treatment circuit. Investing in high-quality and fresh electrode pads from Goceng medical factory , and using them correctly is one of the most economical and effective ways to ensure that you get the maximum benefit from your rehabilitation treatment .
Check more at : www.gocengmed.com
