Galvanization is a method of physiotherapy. Description of procedure, apparatus

Galvanization is one of the methods of physiotherapy, which is used in the complex therapy of many diseases.

Influencing a number of metabolic processes, this technique allows to significantly improve the patient's condition in the rehabilitation period of many diseases.

apparatus for galvanizing and electrophoresis

Operating principle

The essence of the healing technique of galvanization isthe use of properties of a current having a constant frequency, a low voltage and a small force that, through the electrodes applied to the skin, affects the body. In the tissues, under the influence of current, there is the phenomenon of electrolytic dissociation. The redistribution of ions causes a complex set of physico-chemical processes that result in a change in the permeability of cell membranes, enzyme activity, and the level of metabolic processes.

The intensity and duration of exposure is determined by a specialist, based on the specific nature of the pathological process.

The device for galvanizing the device assumes the presence of two electrodes - a cathode, which reduces the ability of tissues to excite, and an anode that increases this ability.

Important: not all tissues of the body are affected, but only those that are capable of carrying out galvanic current.

What to treat?

A number of tissues to the action of galvanic current are insensitive, since they have in the composition an insufficient amount of free liquid:

skin integument;
ligamentous apparatus;
tendons;
relaxed muscles;
bone.

On the contrary, physiological liquids and abundantly blood-supplying organs and tissues most readily respond to such an effect:

blood;
liquor;
bile;
lymph;
liver;
spleen;
lungs;
kidney.

It is in these organs that the maximum effect of treatment procedures is recorded.

Effects

The attenuation of sensitivity is superficiallocated nerve endings, which are affected. This effect relates to the temperature and pain sensitivities, it is used when it is necessary to eliminate the pain syndrome in chronic diseases (for example, osteochondrosis, radiculopathy, spondyloarthritis).
Improved resorption of substances into the bloodstream in the vessels. This effect finds application, for example, with anti-inflammatory therapy with the use of drugs from the appropriate group for topical application. On this phenomenon, another therapeutic technique, electrophoresis, is based.
Activating effect on the sympathoadrenal system and activation of lymphatic circulation
Activation of the activity of endocrine glands.
Activation of reparative processes in tissues, which is necessary for traumatic lesions.

Indications

Knowledge of the mechanism of action and the effects of galvanic current made it possible to formulate a list of situations that require the galvanic current to affect the body.

Galvanization is a pathogenetic type of therapy. This makes it possible to apply it in a wide range of diseases susceptible to this type of organ exposure.

Trophic disorders that arise due to disorders of hemodynamics and microcirculation.
Joint lesions resulting from infectious inflammatory processes or traumatic effects (in these cases, galvanization is used during the rehabilitation phase).
Infectious-inflammatory or traumaticlesions of the peripheral nervous system (physiotherapy in particular, galvanization and electrophoresis, are shown in the rehabilitation period) - for example, plexitis, neuritis, neuromyositis.
Rehabilitation period after various brain lesions (in the absence of contraindications).
Changes characteristic of the initial stages of arterial hypertension and atherosclerotic process.
Vegetative dystonia.
Migraine.
Arterial hypotension.
Some changes characteristic of angina pectoris.
Complex treatment of neurotic conditions, neurasthenia.
Some ophthalmic diseases.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Some diseases of ENT organs.
Complex therapy of chronic inflammatory processes.

Application of the galvanization method in the listedsituations improves the prognosis of the disease and allows to reduce the rehabilitation period after the transferred pathology of the nervous system or musculoskeletal system.

Preparation

Before the beginning of medical manipulation, it is necessary to carefully examine the areas of the skin, which are supposed to be affected by electrodes. It should be intact, without rashes and irritations.

Treatment course

Throughout the procedure, it is necessary to monitorfor the indication of the device, not allowing the excess of the installed current, and subjective sensations of the patient, preventing the occurrence of pain.

Subjectively during the galvanization procedurethe patient with a correctly selected current strength feels twitching, paresthesia in the form of "crawling crawling," and vibration under the electrodes applied to the skin. And under the cathode, the impact, including the annoying one, is felt more strongly than under the anode. If sensations appear in the form of burning or pain, the device should be turned off smoothly, and to turn on the procedure again, setting a lower intensity of exposure.

To prevent peeling of the epidermis in course treatment, the skin is recommended to be lubricated with petroleum jelly.

At the course of treatment after 5-6 procedures canthere is an exacerbation of a chronic disease with a certain increase in symptoms. The patient should be informed that such an effect is not a deterioration in the course of the disease, but indicates a positive effect of the treatment procedure.

Contraindications

Galvanization is a very effective methodeffects on the body: a direct current affects a variety of metabolic and biochemical processes. Therefore, when prescribing a treatment procedure, one should take into account the presence of a number of contraindications - conditions when such an effect can be harmful:

Inflammatory processes in the acute phase, including, purulent.
Individual intolerance to the effect of electric current.
Severe degree of atherosclerotic process.
Diseases of the blood system.
Infectious-inflammatory diseases, which are in the acute phase, characterized by an increase in body temperature.
Mechanical traumatization of skin at the intended site of application of electrodes.
Diseases of the skin, accompanied by its damage.
Period of pregnancy.
The state of cachexia.
Feverish states of any origin.
The presence of malignant neoplasms.
Severe arterial hypertension (with episodes of blood pressure rises up to 180/100 millimeters of mercury).
Atrial fibrillation.
Presence of extrasystoles.
Severe circulatory failure (grade 2-3).

Apparatus for galvanizing "Potok-1"

This device corresponds to the second class of electrical safety and is intended for carrying out of medical procedures of galvanization and electrophoresis.

Since the therapeutic device "Potok-1" is notis equipped with a timer, during the medical manipulation of the personnel, control over the duration of the procedure is required; special procedural hours are used for this.

Therapeutic apparatus "Alfor Prof"

This is one of the models of apparatus widely used to obtain a direct current for the purpose of therapeutic effect.

This apparatus for galvanizing and electrophoresis is an improved version of the therapeutic device for performing the "Potok-1" electrophoresis, having the following features:

The presence of a microcontroller in a modified version allows you to extend its functionality.
Smoothly rotating, having no stops and limitations, the intensity regulator knob allows you to more accurately and accurately adjust the intensity.
When the device is turned on, the current is always automatically set to zero; This is the most important measure of electrical safety.
The presence of a built-in timer in the device "ElforProf. ”greatly simplifies the process of the procedure, in particular, control over the duration of the procedure. After the set time has elapsed, the equipment is automatically turned off.

The current stabilization mode helps to maintain a constant value of the specified parameters throughout the manipulation.
Another possibility of the “Elfor Prof” apparatus, in addition to galvanization, is electrophoresis. In this mode, the local introduction into the body of pharmaceuticals.