Electrotherapy is treatment of pain syndromes, diseases of the nervous system and muscle atrophy through dosed application of an electric current, magnetic and electromagnetic fields. Electrotherapy treatment is used in cases of post-traumatic, post-operative rehabilitation and preventive treatments.
Electrotherapy helps to normalize the condition and functional operation of the spine, joints, organs and tissues in the human body. A pulsed current is used in the treatment of diseases of the back, as well as in the treatment of severe bruises and sprains in the non-acute period.
What does the treatment at the Institute of Vertebrology and Rehabilitation include?
The doctors of the Institute of Vertebrology and Rehabilitation develop a treatment program using electrotherapy for each patient individually.
Depending on the disease, the treatment lasts from 5 to 10 sessions. During the first 5 sessions, our doctors’ work is aimed at reducing pain. Starting from sessions 5-10, our specialists work to eliminate the cause of pain in the body. The interval between sessions is on average 1-2 days. The procedure may be carried out every day, if necessary.
The treatment with electrotherapy can strengthen deep muscles of the back with the help of exercise on modern David medical training simulators. This helps to strengthen the effectiveness of treatment to fix the result of the treatment course and prevent any complications in the future.
What types of electrotherapy are used at the Institute of Vertebrology and Rehabilitation?
The Institute of Vertebrology and Rehabilitation uses more than 20 kinds of currents in the treatment of diseases. Our doctors can combine different electrotherapy techniques in one treatment: electrotherapy types may vary with intervals of several days.
- Electrical stimulation is used to strengthen the body: in order to stimulate metabolism, relieve acute pain and atonic muscles in the body. Pulsed currents dilate blood vessels and have a neurostimulating effect. The Institute of Vertebrology and Rehabilitation uses electrical stimulation for pain after spinal injuries and spinal operations, post-traumatic pain in the upper and lower extremities, as well as chronic pelvic pain.
- Galvanic stimulation is a method that uses a direct electric current of low voltage and low power. This method provides analgesia and eliminates inflammatory processes in the body. It is also used to enhance the efficacy of medicines, which are used during treatment.
- Electrophoresis gives the possibility for a permanent low-frequency electric current to inject drugs into the body without damaging the skin. Our doctors prescribe electrophoresis, when it is necessary to dilate blood vessels, stop inflammation and relieve the pain syndrome in the body.
- Diadynamic treatment uses a high frequency current, low voltage and high power. This type of treatment allows for removing swelling, muscle spasms, relieving pain, decreasing inflammation and stimulating metabolism in tissues.
- Amplipulse therapy is treatment based on current fluctuations: the combination of stimulatory and inhibitory effects of pulsed currents. The Institute of Vertebrology and Rehabilitation uses amplipulse therapy sessions in a comprehensive program of treatment of diseases of the spine and joints, in the treatment of chronic pain syndromes, as well as in procedures after traumatic and post operating rehabilitation.
Indications for treatment
The Institute of Vertebrology and Rehabilitation uses electrotherapy to treat acute and chronic pain in the body.
- Chronic pain syndromes in the spine and joints.
- Diseases of the musculoskeletal system: osteochondrosis (magnetic therapy is also used for osteochondrosis), arthritis, arthrosis, polyarthritis and sprains, fractures and bruises.
- Reduced muscle tone (“myotonic syndrome”).
- Diseases of the nervous system.
- Circulatory disorders.
However, there are limitations in the use of each type of electrotherapy. Electrotherapy treatment is contra-indicated in pregnancy, the presence of cardiovascular diseases, tumors and cancers, purulent inflammation and individual hypersensitivity to the electric current.
