Effects of Electrotherapy on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)

Abstract

In this article, the reasons for the occurrence of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) and the effect of electrotherapy on it were discussed. Electrotherapy is a non-invasive and easy method to treat DOMS and muscle fatigue. As a result of intense and abnormal exercise, the creatine phosphokinase enzyme in the muscle increases and DOMS occur. DOMS can be treated with electrotherapy techniques such as micro-current electrotherapy. Micro-currents devices reduce the severity of DOMS symptoms by maintaining intracellular calcium homeostasis. Devices such as Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Micro-Current Electrical Therapy (MET) belong to the category of micro-currents. The number of electrotherapy sessions after the occurrence of DOMS and the frequency of electrotherapy devices are two important factors in the treatment of DOMS. TENS conducts electrical current to the body through electrodes that attach to the skin, and helping to reduce pain by releasing endorphins, a natural painkiller, and blocking the passage of pain to the brain. MET uses resonant frequencies to aid in deeper and longer treatment, increase the body’s production of natural catalysts in the healing process, and is more useful in chronic pain than TENS. Research has shown that electrotherapy has been shown to improve DOMS symptoms.