Iontophoresis in Evansville – Non-Invasive Medication Delivery for Faster Healing

Struggling with stubborn inflammation, tendonitis, or scar tissue that won’t heal? Iontophoresis at Core Physical Therapy in Evansville offers a needle-free solution that delivers medication directly to injured tissue—reducing pain, swelling, and inflammation without oral medications or injections.

What Is Iontophoresis?

Iontophoresis is an advanced physical therapy treatment that uses mild electrical current to push medication through your skin and into damaged tissue. By applying a small electrical charge to medicated patches, we can deliver anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medication exactly where your body needs it most—targeting the root cause of your pain rather than masking symptoms.

This non-invasive treatment harnesses the principle that oppositely charged ions attract. When medication carries a specific electrical charge and we apply a corresponding current, the medicine is pushed deep into injured tissue for maximum therapeutic effect.

Conditions Treated with Iontophoresis

At Core Physical Therapy, we use iontophoresis to effectively treat:

• Tendonitis and tendinopathy (rotator cuff, Achilles, patellar)
• Chronic inflammation and bursitis
• Plantar fasciitis and heel pain
• Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
• Muscle spasms and trigger points
• Post-surgical swelling and edema
• Scar tissue adhesions limiting mobility
• Calcium deposits in soft tissue
• Localized joint pain and stiffness

How Iontophoresis Works

Step 1: Medication Selection

Your physical therapist determines which medication is best for your specific condition. Common medications include anti-inflammatories (dexamethasone) for swelling and inflammation, or acetic acid for calcium deposits and scar tissue.

Step 2: Patch Application

A specialized patch containing two electrodes (positive and negative) is applied to your skin. Your therapist places the prescribed medication on the appropriate electrode based on the medication’s electrical charge.

Step 3: Sustained Treatment

Once activated, the patch uses gentle electrical current to push medication into the injured area continuously for approximately 24 hours. You can go about your normal activities while the treatment works.

Step 4: Active Rehabilitation

While the medication reduces inflammation and pain, your physical therapist will guide you through targeted exercises to restore strength, mobility, and function—ensuring long-term results.

Benefits of Iontophoresis Treatment

Targeted Medication Delivery
Unlike oral medications that affect your entire body, iontophoresis delivers medicine directly to the injured area—maximizing effectiveness while minimizing side effects.

Non-Invasive & Painless
No needles, no injections—just a comfortable patch you wear during treatment. Most patients feel only mild tingling.

Reduces Inflammation at the Source
By pushing anti-inflammatory medication deep into tissue, iontophoresis addresses the root cause of pain rather than temporarily masking symptoms.

Accelerates Healing
Combined with active physical therapy, iontophoresis helps you recover faster by reducing swelling, breaking down scar tissue, and improving tissue mobility.

Safe with Minimal Side Effects
Treatment is safe, FDA-cleared, and well-tolerated. Temporary skin redness is the most common side effect.

What to Expect During Treatment

During Your Session

You may feel a slight tingling sensation when the patch is first applied—this is normal and indicates the electrical current is working. Treatment is not painful.

After Application

The patch remains on your skin for approximately 24 hours while continuously delivering medication. You can continue with daily activities during this time.

Post-Treatment Care

After removing the patch, mild redness is normal and will fade quickly. Your physical therapist may recommend avoiding heat or ice immediately after treatment to prevent altering circulation to the treated area, which could reduce medication effectiveness. Applying moisturizer can help if you experience minor skin dryness.

Why Iontophoresis Works Best with Active Therapy

While iontophoresis is highly effective for reducing pain and inflammation, it’s a passive treatment—meaning it works best when combined with active rehabilitation. At Core Physical Therapy, we integrate iontophoresis into comprehensive treatment plans that include:

• Therapeutic exercises for strength and mobility
• Manual therapy and hands-on techniques
• Stretching and flexibility training
• Functional movement training

This combination approach ensures you don’t just feel better temporarily—you heal completely and prevent re-injury.

Why Choose Core Physical Therapy for Iontophoresis in Evansville?

Our experienced physical therapists have advanced training in iontophoresis application and will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific condition. We combine this innovative therapy with evidence-based rehabilitation techniques to deliver lasting results—not just temporary relief.

Frequently Asked Questions About Iontophoresis in Evansville

What is iontophoresis and how does it work?

Iontophoresis is a non-invasive physical therapy treatment that uses mild electrical current to deliver medication directly through your skin to injured tissue. The electrical charge pushes anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving medication deep into the affected area—targeting inflammation, calcium deposits, scar tissue, and swelling at the source. At Core Physical Therapy in Evansville, we use advanced iontophoresis patches that work continuously for up to 24 hours, providing sustained therapeutic benefits.

What conditions does iontophoresis treat?

Iontophoresis effectively treats tendonitis, tendinopathy, bursitis, plantar fasciitis, rotator cuff inflammation, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, Achilles tendonitis, IT band syndrome, trigger points, muscle spasms, post-surgical swelling, scar tissue adhesions, calcium deposits, and localized joint inflammation. It’s particularly effective for chronic inflammation that hasn’t responded to oral medication or traditional physical therapy approaches.

Does iontophoresis hurt or have side effects?

No, iontophoresis is painless and safe. Most patients feel only a mild tingling sensation during treatment. The most common side effect is temporary skin redness at the electrode site, which resolves within hours. Some patients notice minor dryness or roughness that responds well to moisturizer. There are no systemic side effects since medication is delivered locally rather than through your bloodstream like oral medications.

How long does iontophoresis treatment take?

Each iontophoresis session involves applying a medicated patch that stays on your skin for approximately 24 hours. The patch contains a small battery that continuously delivers medication during this time. You’ll visit Core Physical Therapy for patch application, then go about your normal activities while the treatment works. Most patients need 3-6 treatments over several weeks, combined with active physical therapy exercises for optimal results.

Start Your Pain-Free Recovery Today

If chronic inflammation, tendonitis, or scar tissue is holding you back, iontophoresis at Core Physical Therapy can help. Contact our Evansville clinic today to schedule your evaluation and discover how targeted medication delivery can accelerate your healing.