Every disease is expressed, among other things, by malfunctions in our internal "electrical network". The operation of any electronic system can be influenced from the outside with a directed electromagnetic signal. It is the same with our body: a properly selected electrical current with the correct frequency or set of frequencies can restore a damaged system to its normal state. Physiotherapy procedures such as electrotherapy are based on this principle.
In fact, "electrotherapy" is a general concept, it is a whole group of different methods. They have in common the use of electric current for therapeutic, prophylactic and rehabilitation purposes. They differ in parameters such as the type of electric current (direct current or alternating current), its strength, voltage, frequency... In general, electrotherapy is one of the largest areas of modern physiotherapy. The methods are constantly improved with the development of technology and more and more experience in clinical use.
In general, all methods of electrotherapy improve central and peripheral blood circulation, tissue trophism, metabolism, have an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. Currents of different strengths, voltages and frequencies have different effects on the tissues of the human body, and a lot also depends on what kind of device you use. It is about the accuracy of the device, the possibility of settings, its power. A lot also depends on how deep the frequency can penetrate under the skin.
Different types of electrotherapy are used for different problems, symptoms, causes, milder or more severe disease states. In any case, electrotherapy causes an improvement in peripheral blood circulation, promotes the restoration of damaged nerves and tissues.
Electrotherapy is used for therapies in the following diseases:
- diseases and injuries of the peripheral nervous system;
- disorders of spinal and cerebral circulation;
- diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- vegetative dystonia;
- chronic inflammatory processes;
- diseases of the digestive system;
- hypotension, hypertension, angina pectoris, atherosclerosis in the initial stage;
- wounds;
- in cosmetology it is used to eliminate shallow wrinkles - the procedure has a positive effect on dry facial skin, making it smooth and elastic.
The electrotherapy procedure is sometimes unpleasant for the patient due to a slight burning sensation, which mostly disappears within a week or two in the case of daily therapy or later in the case of less frequent therapies.
If the shape and frequency of the electric current is close to the characteristics of the signals coming from the peripheral nervous system to the central one, during the procedure pain blockage occurs in the focus of inflammation.
Therefore, electrotherapy is also used in the following cases:
- acute pain syndrome in osteochondrosis of the spine;
- neuralgia;
- postherpetic pain;
- phantom pains;
- neuropathy of the facial nerve;
- deforming arthrosis of the joints, arthritis;
- psoriasis.
In the case of using two different frequencies at the same time, the frequencies easily pass deep into the tissues without changing their intensity, and at the same time they do not cause noticeable irritation of the skin receptors. Among other things, the procedure helps eliminate edema and reduce inflammation - that is, it not only reduces pain, but also eliminates its cause.
It is used to treat the following conditions:
- hypertension (levels I-II);
- atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities;
- swelling of the lower extremities;
- disorders of fat metabolism;
- diseases of the peripheral nervous system (neuralgia, neuritis, plexitis);
- degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the joints and spine (osteochondrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, arthrosis, osteoarthritis);
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- inflammatory diseases and dysfunctions of the female genital organs;
- prostate and bladder atony, chronic prostatitis, impotence;
- urolithiasis disease.
When using two different currents of the same amplitude but different frequencies, their interference occurs in the tissues where these currents meet. In this way, the focus of the disease is disturbed. A person can feel what is happening as a vibration. Contractions of muscle fibers ("beats") also contribute to an increase in peripheral blood circulation, which causes an acceleration of metabolism.
Application:
- neurological diseases (osteochondrosis, neuritis, neuralgia, vibration disease, causalgia, phantom pain, polyneuropathy);
- consequences of traumatic brain injury;
- inflammatory diseases of the small pelvis;
- female genital dysfunction;
- degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the joints and spine, injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system (arthrosis, arthritis, epicondylitis, myositis, spondylosis);
- diseases of the heart and blood vessels (vegetative-vascular dystonia, hypertension stage I-II, atherosclerosis, varicose veins, consequences of thrombophlebitis);
- diseases of abdominal organs;
- diseases of the digestive tract (gastric atony, gastritis, peptic ulcer, biliary dyskinesia);
- skin diseases (acne, neurodermatitis, herpes zoster);
- kidney diseases (chronic pyelonephritis, cystitis).
With frequency therapies, we also achieve that the effect of the medicine prescribed by our doctor is more effective and longer-lasting. Frequencies are also used in cosmetology because they provide a rejuvenating effect and are fully compatible with many other cosmetic procedures.