CENTER OF TRADITIONAL AND ORIENTAL MEDICINE

 IONTOPHORESIS                         

An ionophore is a lipid-soluble molecule that transports ions across a cell membrane. Ionophores are important because the interior of the lipid bilayer of the membrane is hydrophobic, so ions cannot pass through easily because they are charged.

In rehabilitation medicine, including physical therapy, iontophoresis is used to reduce inflammation that might be seen in musculoskeletal conditions such as lateral epicondylitis, medial epicondylitis, plantar fasciitis, tendo-nitis/bursitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and enthesopathic conditions of various origins. The most popular and well researched iontophoresis application is the use of dexamethasone, a corticosteroid in a sodium phosphate solution.