Galvanization( electrophoresis)
Back in the second half of XX century.in the USSR, scientist-clinicians developed scientifically valid methods for galvanizing , while creating special apparatuses of various devices. In galvanizing, the direct current produced by AGN-1, GAN-2( wall-mounted) is used;GVP-3, AGP-33( portable);"Flow-1", GF.
With the help of the transformer, the alternating current voltage of a conventional electric lighting network is reduced from 220 V( or 127 V) to 30-60 V. In these devices, rectification of the sinusoidal current occurs, and then smoothing of current ripple. The rectified and smoothed current is applied to the adjustment potentiometer and to the terminals of the above devices. Then from the terminals of the device to the patient( in certain places) a constant electric current is supplied by means of flexible, well-insulated wires with terminals attached to the terminals for connecting the wire to the electrodes. The current supplied to the electrodes is controlled by a milliammeter installed in the apparatus, in which a 5 mA and 50 mA shunt is provided. To draw a direct current to the patient, electrodes consisting of a lead plate with a thickness of 0.3-1 mm and a wet cloth pad thickness of at least 10 mm are used. Such gaskets are made of 12-16 layers of white flannel. The purpose of the gasket is to create a uniform contact between the electrode and the body of the patient, while reducing the high osmotic resistance of the dry skin and eliminating the pressing effect of the electrolysis products on the skin. To avoid the danger of contact of the patient's skin with a metal plate, it is necessary that the gasket protrudes from all sides behind the edges of the plate by 10-20 mm.
With electrophoresis, the intensity of exposure is expressed by the current density( constant) on the area of the gasket and is used for therapeutic purposes in the range of 0.01 to 0.1 mA / cm2, depending on skin sensitivity, individual tolerability, age, sex. For children and adolescents, a current density of 0.01 to 0.05 mA / cm2 is used.
The first option. General effect with electrode arrangement according to S.B.Vermel: an electrode having an area of 300 cm2 is installed in the interscapular region and connected to one of the terminals of the apparatus used. Simultaneously, two other electrodes each with an area of 150 cm2 are placed on the gastrocnemius muscles and are connected to the second terminal of the same apparatus by means of a bifurcated wire. In this version of galvanization, a current density of 0.05 to 0.1 mA / cm2 is used, the duration of the procedure is 20 to 40 minutes, daily or every other day, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient.12 to 20 procedures( depending on the condition of the patient and the type of disease) that are an important element of intensive care are prescribed for the course of treatment using this galvanization technique. This technique is based on the fact that cell membranes with their protein substance under the influence of direct current change their permeability, while the diffusion and osmosis processes are intensified, as a result of galvanization, the metabolism in the human body is more intensive and the medicinal substances are applied through the skin.
Special researches made in the Soviet Union in the 1970s-1980s established that the human skin is a complex organism that performs a variety of functions aimed at adapting the organism to the constantly changing external environment. When galvanizing( or electrophoresis), intensive absorption of medicinal substances occurs through the pores of the skin, while they act not only locally but also on the body as a whole. When the electrodes are connected to the patient's body, the H ions move to the cathode and OH ions to the anode, which causes shifts in the acid-base balance, while the pH of the medium changes, which affects the activity of the enzymes, tissue respiration.
As the clinical studies have shown, under the cathode during the passage of direct current there are:
• bright hyperemia on the skin;
• Increase the permeability of cell membranes;
• enhancement of metabolic processes in the body;
• increased excitability of the nerves.
All this is due to the light and mobile monovalent ions of cadmium and sodium contained in solutions of medicinal substances. The following phenomena were noted under the anode:
• slight hyperemia on the skin;
• Compaction of cell membranes;
• decrease in the intensity of the exchange processes;
• decreased excitability of nerves due to the relative predominance of slowly moving heavy divalent calcium and magnesium ions.
In 1990, V.G.Yasnogorodskyi authentically determined the medicinal substances used in electrophoresis, with the concentrations of their solutions and polarity established. For example, when heparin is administered, the ion of which has a negative polarity, a heparin sodium salt is used, while 5000-1000 ED is dissolved in 30 ml of distilled water. The negatively charged heparin ion in this example is introduced from the cathode. In the event that positively charged ions are introduced, for example, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, histamine, no-shpa, novocaine, papaverine, dibazole, an anode is used. With the right selection of drugs to perform the electrophoresis procedure, the methods of the first variant noted:
• improvement in general condition;
• reduction of lethargy and fatigue;
• increase of efficiency and mood;
• activation of the immune and restorative functions of the body;
• increased capillary circulation;
• suppression of inflammatory processes, etc.
Electrophoresis according to the method of SB.Vermelya is used in the absence of contraindications( including abrasions, scratches, wounds, etc.) for the treatment of impaired metabolism and peripheral circulation, weakened immunity, diabetic angiopathy and other diseases revealed by medical examination by the attending physician. Long-term medical practice established that with electrophoresis:
• a good direct current: blood, urine, lymph, spinal fluid, parenchymal organs, muscles;
• poorly conduct current: adipose tissue, tendons, nerves, bones;
• do not conduct electric current: stratum corneum dry skin( coarsened skin), nails, hair.
At the same time, a number of contraindications were identified, such as:
• individual intolerance to electric DC;
• violation of the integrity of the skin;
• eczema;
• dermatitis;
• acute purulent inflammatory processes;
• second half of pregnancy;
• a tendency to bleed;
• Cardiovascular diseases with circulatory disorders of the third degree.
The second option: galvanic collar for AE.Shcherbaku. In carrying out this electrophoresis procedure, an electrode with an area of 400-600 cm2 in the form of a collar is placed on the back in the area of the forehearth and in front in the area of the clavicles and connected to the positive terminal of the apparatus. The second electrode is located on the lumbosacral region and connected to the negative terminal of the apparatus. When galvanizing is performed, the DC effect is started from a value of 6 mA( milliampere) for 6 minutes. After this, after every two procedures, the duration of the exposure is increased by 2 minutes, and the current strength by 2 mA, and in subsequent days the duration is adjusted to 16 minutes at a current strength of 16 mA.Depending on the disease, 20 to 30 procedures are prescribed for treatment. This method of electrophoresis is used for neuroses, hypertension, atherosclerosis.
The third option: galvanization of the panty zone( galvanic shorts according to AE Shcherbak).When performing this procedure, an electrode with an area of 400 cm2 is installed on the lumbar-sacral region and connected to the positive terminal of the apparatus. Two other electrodes( a total area of 200 cm2) are placed on the surface of the thighs and connect them to the negative terminal of the apparatus used. When the first procedure is performed within 10 minutes, the current strength is set to 10 to 15 mA using the regulator of the device. The duration of each subsequent electrophoresis procedure is increased by 2 minutes compared to the previous one, and the time of the performed procedure can be increased to 30 minutes( in the absence of unforeseen complications).Depending on the disease for the entire course of treatment, 10 to 20 procedures are prescribed. The described method of electrophoresis is used for diseases of the pelvic organs, vessels, limbs, with chronic prostatitis, etc. In this case, treatment should be pathogenetic, i.e.taking into account predisposing factors to the disease. In general, physiological methods are the second type of pathogenetic treatment of a disease such as chronic prostatitis, which occurs for men and women over the age of 40 for various reasons.
The fourth version of galvanization is the longitudinal arrangement of electrodes, the area of which depends on the size of the foci of exposure. In this case, they are located longitudinally along the nerve trunk: one electrode in the region of the peripheral nerve, and the second in the region of the nerve plexus or the corresponding segment of the spinal cord along the spine to the paravertebral regions along the muscle, etc. When performing this electrophoresis procedure, one important condition must be observed: the distance between the edges of the electrodes( vertically) must be no less than the diameter of the electrode. When the procedures prescribed by the physician are performed, the current is set in the range from 0.05 mA to 0.1 mA, and the duration of the exposure is 10 to 30 minutes daily or every other day. Depending on the disease, identified by medical examination, appoint 10 to 20 procedures. The described technique of electrophoresis is used in the defeat of peripheral nerves and muscles.
The fifth variant of galvanization provides a transverse arrangement of electrodes, the area of which depends on the site of impact. In this case, they are installed on opposite surfaces of the patient's body. The distance between the edges of the electrodes horizontally should be no less than the diameter of the electrode. When performing the galvanization procedure, the current is set in the range of 0.03 to 0.1 mA / cm2, and the duration of the exposure is from 20 to 40 minutes daily or every other day. Depending on the detected disease, 12 to 15 procedures are prescribed for the course of treatment. Transverse installation of electrodes during electrophoresis procedures is most often used for joints, thorax, internal organs( in particular, on the stomach area with secretory and motor disorders in the digestive system, gastritis, colitis, hyper- and hypomotor dyskinesia).
The sixth variant of galvanization provides for the effect of direct current from 4 to 7 mA and 10 to 15 mA on the cervico-facial area in neuroses, climacteric syndrome and other diseases. This technique was developed in the second half of the 1980s. M.D.Chernyakovskaya, Yu. F.Zmanovskiy and G.A.Kellat. It involves the use of bilobed electrodes mounted on the lateral surfaces of the upper third of the neck. In this case, the ears are located between the blades of the electrodes. The procedures are performed for 7-15 minutes daily. Depending on the disease, 10 to 20 procedures are prescribed for the course of treatment.
In addition to the most frequently used galvanization techniques( variants), numerous special techniques are used in medical practice( especially in specialized clinics):
• galvanization on the area of the breast with round electrodes 15 to 20 cm in diameter with holes in the center for the nipples andcorolla;
• Galvanization of pelvic organs in women with the location of electrodes in the vagina and above the lump joint or on the sacrum;
• Galvanization of cervical sympathetic nodes;
• galvanizing the nasal mucosa;
• Galvanization of limbs( arms and legs) using a four-chamber galvanic bath, etc.
When galvanizing by any technique,
is noted: • Specific local reactions, expressed in the sensations of tingling and burning under the electrodes, the appearance of hyperemia of the skin, irritation of sensitive nerve endings, reduction of the muscles under the electrodes during short-time switching on or off of current( therefore electrophoresis is carried out with a smooth increase in the current to the desired value);
• nonspecific reactions, manifested in the stimulation of trophic function of the nervous system, metabolism, endocrine system, cardiovascular reactions, blood supply system, etc.
With electrophoresis as a result of direct current exposure in the zones of vegetative ganglia( the cervical sympathetic nodes, the neck regionand the shoulder, the collar zone, the panty zone, the paravertebral zones), the functions of the vegetative centers are reflexively altered, which increases the blood supply and metabolism in then, heart, lungs, abdominal organs, pelvis, extremities. In the course of special clinical studies, the following indications for electrophoresis( taking into account the physiological effects of direct current on the body) were reliably established for:
• regulation of the basic nervous processes in neuroses, peptic ulcer disease, hypertension I and II stages;
• regulation of autonomic functions for migraine, solaritis, bronchial asthma, vasomotor rhinitis;
• stimulation of peripheral nerve regeneration;
• weakening and elimination of pain syndrome in neuralgia, neuritis, neuromyositis;
• Restoration and reduction of secretory and motor disorders in the digestive system in cases of gastritis, colitis, hyper- and hypomotor dyskinesia, hyper- and hypoxecretory disorders, dyskinesia of the gallbladder;
• resorption of inflammatory infiltrates in chronic inflammatory processes;
• Improvement of trophic processes in muscle atrophies resulting from injuries to peripheral nerves, polio, etc.
Note. When performing electrophoresis procedures of any kind, fabric flannel gaskets should be wetted in warm boiled tap water, which must be filtered through a shungite or other highly effective filter to remove harmful impurities such as phenol, heavy metal salts( lead, cadmium, mercury,arsenic, etc.).These substances in the process of electrophoresis can get into the patient's body and cause unforeseen serious complications.
1. Neurasthenic form of neurosis. Galvanic collar for Shcherbakov. Installation of electrodes: on the collar zone - anode, on the lumbar region - cathode. The power of direct current is from 6 to 16 mA.The duration of exposure is from 6 to 16 minutes daily. The course of treatment - 25 procedures( in the absence of unforeseen complications).
2. Right-sided neuralgia of the trigeminal nerve. Galvanization of the right side of the face. Applicable electrodes: half-mask Bergene on the right half of the face from the anode, electrode( second) with an area of 200 cm2 on the area of the left shoulder from the cathode. The DC power is from 1 to 5 mA.The duration of exposure is from 10 to 40 minutes( in the absence of unforeseen complications) every day or every other day. For the entire course of treatment - 12 procedures.
3. Traumatic injury of the ulnar nerve. Galvanization is performed along the ulnar nerve. Electrodes are installed: the first with an area of 150 cm2 - on the area of the lower cervical and upper thoracic vertebrae( anode-cathode).Another electrode, 150 cm2 in area, is placed on the brush( cathode anode).The permissible DC power is up to 10 mA, the duration of exposure is from 15 to 30 minutes daily or every other day;course of treatment of 15 procedures( in the absence of unforeseen complications).