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Methods using exposure to electromagnetic radiation
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Decimeter wave therapy (UHF therapy) is a method of local exposure to non-coherent non-polarized electromagnetic radiation of the decimeter (from 1 m to 10 cm) range of corresponding parameters, carried out using an emitter located above a certain exposed area of the patient's body at a distance of 3-7 cm or by contact.
The wavelength of electromagnetic radiation used in physiotherapy equipment is 65 cm (frequency of electromagnetic oscillations 460 MHz) and 32.5 cm (frequency of electromagnetic oscillations 915 MHz); the input power of the devices is from 5 to 100 W.
The features of the factor action are related to the non-thermal effect and the formation of endogenous heat in the body tissues. Due to the low energy of the photon of this range of EMR at the radiation PPM of less than 10 mW/cm2, a non-thermal effect is manifested, associated with such electrodynamic changes as polarization of the corresponding structures, modulation of their intermolecular and electrostatic interactions, as well as some other manifestations, which in turn causes conformational rearrangements of the cytoskeleton, cell membranes and intracellular organelles. Subsequent biochemical reactions, biological processes and clinical manifestations are the result of electrodynamic changes and conformational rearrangements of various structures.
At the PPM of EMI of this range above 10 mW/ cm2, a thermal effect occurs, which is caused by an increase in the amplitude of relaxation oscillations of bound water molecules, glycolipids and some other macromolecules, which leads to the transformation of EMI energy into thermal energy and causes an increase in tissue temperature. And since the penetration depth of this EMI wavelength corresponds to an average of 9-11 cm, local heat generation occurs in deep tissues and organs. The expediency of this effect is questionable.
Main clinical effects: anti-inflammatory, secretory, vasodilatory, metabolic, immunocorrective.
Equipment: Volna-2M, Romashka, Ranet DMV-20, Elektronika Terma.
Centimeter wave therapy (CW therapy) is a method of local exposure to non-coherent non-polarized electromagnetic radiation of the centimeter (from 10 cm to 1 cm) range of corresponding parameters, carried out using an emitter that is located above a certain exposed area of the patient's body at a distance of 5-7 cm or by contact.
The wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation used in physiotherapy equipment is 12.6 cm (frequency of electromagnetic oscillations 2375 MHz) and 12.2 cm (frequency of electromagnetic oscillations! 2450 MHz); the input power of the devices is from 4 to 150 W.
The effect of the factor is in many ways similar to the previous factor (UHF). The features of UHF therapy are the smaller depth of penetration of EMI of this wavelength into the tissues of the body (up to 3-5 cm) and a more pronounced thermal effect in these tissues at a radiation PPM of over 10 mW/cm 2.
Main clinical effects: anti-inflammatory, local anesthetic, metabolic, secretory, vasodilator.
Equipment: Luch-58, Luch-11, Luch-2, Luch-3, Luch-4, Mirta-02.
Extremely high frequency therapy (UHF therapy, or millimeter wave therapy) is a method of local exposure to non-coherent non-polarized electromagnetic radiation of the millimeter (from 10 mm to 1 mm) range of the corresponding parameters, carried out using an emitter that is located above a certain exposed area of the patient's body at a distance of 1.5 cm or by contact.
The wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation used in physiotherapy equipment is 4-8 mm (the frequency of electromagnetic oscillations is 57-65 GHz; the exception is the device "Porog", its frequency range is 30-120 GHz); the input power of the devices is up to 10 mW.
The peculiarities of the factor's action are related to its low penetrating ability into biological tissues and the absence of a thermal effect from the impact. UHF range EMI is also characterized by the initiation of electrodynamic changes (orientational polarization of cellular and extracellular structures, changes in their interrelations) with conformational rearrangements on this basis of biological substrates, and then subsequent reactions, processes and final clinical manifestations.
Main clinical effects: neurostimulating, secretory.
Equipment: "Yav-1", "Helmet-1", "Elektronika-KVCH-01", "GTella-2", "Kovert-04", "Port-1", "Amfit-0.2", "Porog", "Ariah" and others.
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