Intersperse® – an Exclusive & More Impactful Electrotherapy Treatment
When considering the range of non-opioid options available for treating patients who suffer from chronic musculoskeletal pain, healthcare providers are likely including OTC medications, physical therapy, massage and acupuncture on their list.
But there’s another non-opioid treatment that should also make the list – electrotherapy.
If it wasn’t among the options considered, is that because all of these devices seem the same? Or is it that, while some electrotherapy machines may profess to have a treatment that is different, few can actually back up the claim with science?
If these are the reasons, then listen up. There is one electrotherapy device that has a unique and truly advanced treatment – the RS-4i® Plus, which features a patented technology called Intersperse.
Intermixing Two Therapies for Maximum Benefit
Exclusive to the RS-4i Plus, the Intersperse technology intermixes Interferential (INF) therapy for long-lasting pain relief and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for muscle rehabilitation within a single session. No other electrotherapy device delivers this powerful therapeutic combination in the same way.
“We wanted to make treatments as effective as possible, and we realized that having pain relief interposed with muscle stimulation would be the best way,” says Bill Carroll, chief scientific officer of RS Medical. “By interspersing the signals, not only do we make treatments more comfortable but we increase the likelihood of pain relief lasting hours beyond treatment.”
The Science Behind the Relief
The way Intersperse works, specifically, is that high-frequency (>5000 Hz) INF pain relief signals are delivered to the patient during the relax period of a low-frequency (71 Hz) NMES treatment. In this way, the patient gets intermittent muscle contraction, then pain relief, then muscle contraction throughout the duration of the session.
A high-frequency signal of 5000 Hz is key for two reasons. First, it’s able to penetrate deeper into the tissue – targeting subcutaneous nerves in an effort to block pain signals and provide fast-acting relief. Second, this stimulation is thought to trigger the body’s endorphin release, which results in pain relief that generally lasts 4-8 hours.
Furthermore, the low-frequency NMES signal has a waveform designed to recruit both the sensitive fast-twitch muscle fibers and the harder-to-engage, slow-twitch fibers. By stimulating a larger number of muscle fibers, the treatment can elicit a more complete muscle contraction – resulting in greater therapeutic benefit.
Intersperse delivers high-frequency (>5000 Hz) INF pain relief signals to the patient during the relax period of a low-frequency (71 Hz) NMES treatment. In this way, the patient gets intermittent muscle contraction, then pain relief, then muscle contraction throughout the duration of the session.
Shorter Sessions are an Added Bonus
“A side benefit of combining the two treatments into a single session is that it makes the session shorter,” says Carroll. “In fact, about 25 percent shorter.”
A session with Intersperse runs about 30 minutes, as opposed to the typical 45-minute sessions offered from other electrotherapy devices. While the 15-minute savings may not seem significant at-a-glance, it can lead to significant savings for the patient who uses the device twice per day, several days per week over the course of months or years.
Designed for Independent At-Home Use
While the therapeutic benefits are advanced, the RS-4i Plus with Intersperse is still easy for patients to use independently at home. By having treatments that patients can self-manage – whether that’s during the day or especially in the middle of the night – they can get the necessary pain relief in their moments of need.
It’s also a convenient option that can eliminate extra trips to the clinic – something that’s good for patients and healthcare providers alike during the pandemic.
Take the Next Step
Healthcare providers who are interested in a more detailed review of the technology that powers the RS-4i Plus with Intersperse, we invite you to complete the form below and check the box for a virtual evaluation.
The RS-4i Plus requires a prescription. Patients who are interested in discussing this high-powered, non-opioid treatment option with their healthcare provider can download a helpful guide to aid the decision. Get yours today.
Related Resources
Blog: Treating Back Pain at Home Can Be Easier than You Think
Blog: Traci's Pain Dropped 60% in Two Weeks with the RS-4i Plus
This blog provides general information and discussion about medicine, health and related subjects. The words and other content provided in this blog, and in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately-licensed physician or other healthcare professional.