Electrotherapy

Electrotherapy (syn.: electrotherapy) includes physiotherapeutic methods based on the use of dosed effects on the body of electric currents, as well as electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields. This method of physiotherapy is the most extensive and includes methods using both direct and alternating current of varying frequencies and pulse shapes.

The passage of current through tissues causes the transfer of various charged substances and a change in their concentration. It should be borne in mind that intact human skin has high ohmic resistance and low specific electrical conductivity, so the current penetrates the body mainly through the excretory ducts of sweat and sebaceous glands and intercellular gaps. Since the total area of pores does not exceed 1/200 of the skin surface, most of the current energy is spent on overcoming the epidermis, which has the greatest resistance.

It is in the epidermis that the most pronounced primary (physical and chemical) reactions to direct current exposure develop, and irritation of nerve receptors is more pronounced.

• An electromagnetic field is a special form of matter through which interaction between electrically charged particles (electrons, ions) occurs.
• Electric field - created by electric charges and charged particles in space.
• Magnetic field - created when electric charges move along a conductor.
• The field of a stationary or uniformly moving particle is inextricably linked with the carrier (charged particle).
• Electromagnetic radiation - electromagnetic waves generated by various radiating objects

Having overcome the resistance of the epidermis and subcutaneous fatty tissue, the current then spreads mainly through the intercellular spaces, muscles, blood and lymphatic vessels, deviating significantly from the straight line that can be used to conditionally connect two electrodes. To a significantly lesser extent, direct current passes through nerves, tendons, fatty tissue and bones. Electric current practically does not pass through nails, hair, the horny layer of dry skin.

The electrical conductivity of the skin depends on many factors, and first of all on the water-electrolyte balance. Thus, tissues in a state of hyperemia or edema have a higher electrical conductivity than healthy ones.

The passage of current through tissues is accompanied by a number of physical and chemical shifts, which determine the primary effect of electric current on the body. The most significant is the change in the quantitative and qualitative ratio of ions. Due to the differences in ions (charge, size, degree of hydration, etc.), the speed of their movement in tissues will be different.

One of the physicochemical effects of galvanization is considered to be a change in the acid-base balance in tissues due to the movement of positive hydrogen ions to the cathode, and negative hydroxyl ions to the anode. The change in tissue pH is reflected in the activity of enzymes and tissue respiration, the state of biocolloids, and serves as a source of irritation of skin receptors. Since the ions are hydrated, i.e. covered with a water "fur coat", then along with the movement of ions during galvanization, there is a movement of liquid (water) in the direction of the cathode (this phenomenon is called electroosmosis).

Electric current, acting on the skin, can lead to a redistribution of ions and water in the area of action, causing local changes in acidity and edema. Redistribution of ions, in turn, can affect the membrane potentials of cells, changing their functional activity, in particular stimulating a mild stress reaction, leading to the synthesis of protective heat shock proteins. In addition, alternating currents cause the formation of heat in tissues, which leads to vascular reactions and changes in blood supply.

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