The basic principle of electrotherapy Interferential Therapy (IFT) is to utilise the strong physiologicaportable interferential effects of low frequency (<250pps) electrical stimulation of nerves without the associated painful and somewhat unpleasant side effects sometimes associated with low frequency stem.
It has been suggested that IFT works in a �special way� because it is �interferential� as opposed to �normal� frequency. The evidence for this special effect is lacking and it is most likely that IFT is just another means by which peripheral nerves can be stimulated. It is relatively a generic means of stimulation � the machine can be set up to act more like a TENS type device or can be set up to behave more like a muscle stimulator � by adjusting the stimulating (beat) frequency. It is often regarded (by patients) to be more acceptable as it generates less discomfort than some other forms of electrical stimulation.