Treatment Protocols

Treatment protocols differ for pain management, sports, physical and occupational therapy and for the use of percutaneous electrodes for severe pain. BiowavePRO and BiowaveHOME may be used in combination with hot or cold therapies. Use wrap or another barrier between the electrodes and the temperature stimulus.

BiowavePENS
Percutaneous Electrical
Nerve Stimulation

For severe acute, chronic or postoperative pain conditions, BiowavePENS may be used. BiowavePENS is comprised of a BiowavePRO neuromodulation device and Biowave Percutaneous Electrodes. The patient is static during the treatment and the duration is 30 minutes. The tissue in the location of the body being treated should be in a stretch or taut position. The recommended regimen is 12 treatments over 30 days in a hospital, pain clinic or pain management setting. Doctors and patients report a cumulative benefit with multiple treatments.

BiowaveHOME
If treatment by BiowavePENS reduced the patient’s level of pain or increased their range of motion, then BiowaveHOME may be an adequate solution for ongoing maintenance of their pain condition. However, BiowavePENS will provide greater efficacy and longer lasting relief than BiowaveHOME. If treatment by BiowavePRO with noninvasive electrodes reduced the patient’s pain level or increased their range of motion, then the patient will receive a similar response from BiowaveHOME.

When using BiowaveHOME, patients may treat themselves up to 4 times per day with each 30 minute treatment separated by 2-3 hours. Patients typically start with 2 or 3 treatments per day for several days to accelerate the reduction of their pain, then reduce therapy to one treatment per day (or on an as-needed basis) to maintain their comfort level.

If patients require greater pain relief, Biowave Percutaneous Electrodes may be prescribed for patients for use with a BiowaveHOME stimulator.
Sports Medicine and
Athletic Training

BiowavePRO &
BiowaveHOME

In athletic training applications, because athletes may re-aggravate their pain condition during practices or games, the recommended protocol is as follow:

1. treat for 30 minutes immediately before practice or a game so the athlete may receive relief through practice or the game;

2. treat for 30 minutes immediately after practice or a game (which may be in combination with cold therapy) and

3. time permitting, treat a third time 2 to 3 hours later or in the evening. Multiple treatments with BiowavePRO and BiowaveHOME may provide cumulative benefit.

BiowavePRO and BiowaveHOME’s portability allow for treatments to occur not only in the athletic training room, but while an athlete is watching film or in a meeting, or while traveling on a bus, airplane, in a hotel room or on the sidelines.
Rehabilitation –
PT and OT

BiowavePRO &
BiowaveHOME

In physical and occupational therapy applications, BiowavePRO or BiowaveHOME should be used first, in place of heat, for 8 minutes to allow the effect of the electrical field to occur on the C-fibers, A-delta fibers, muscle tissue and to provide increased blood flow in the volume of tissue treated. Use cohesive wrap, tape or a velcro strap to help hold the electrodes in place.

After the first 8 minutes, intensity is reduced by 5 to 10% to take the edge off of the sensation from the electrical field. Body locations that are more sensitive to stimulation, like upper extremities, require a greater reduction in intensity – typically a reduction of at least 10 percentage points – so that activity can be accomplished comfortably during the Biowave treatment. The strength of the sensation from the electrical field should never limit the ability of the patient to complete movement through a full range of motion.

After the intensity is reduced, the patient begins active or passive range of motion, exercise or stretching therapy during the remainder of the 30-minute Biowave treatment.

Depending upon the part of the body being treated and the intensity level the patient has reached, some patients may need to reduce the intensity more than 5 – 10% from their prior level in order to be comfortable during any type of motion therapy. The sensation from the electrical field should NOT limit the patient from achieving their complete range of motion.

After one to two sets of motion or exercise, the patient’s body will continue to adapt to the electrical field and the patient may then increase the intensity with 1 to 3 presses of the Plus (+) button to help control pain caused by forcing the joint to a point of greater flexion or extension.

Patients can move more resistance through a greater range of motion with significantly less pain. Biowave significantly facilitates the ability of the patient to perform therapy. Additionally, because of the long carry over effect, patients have little post exercise soreness.