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Physical therapy for reflux esophagitis
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
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Reflux esophagitis is a chronic inflammatory-destructive disease of the esophagus, which occurs due to the failure of the sphincter-valve function of the cardia and causes regurgitation (reflux) of gastric, intestinal and pancreatic contents into the lumen of the esophagus.
Physiotherapy for reflux esophagitis involves the use of balneotherapy (ingestion of appropriate mineral waters). The use of preformed physical factors was limited to amplipulse therapy and electrosleep.
A general practitioner (family doctor) has to deal with this pathology quite often. This is explained by the fact that reflux esophagitis occurs mainly with a hernia of the esophageal opening of the diaphragm, and this disease ranks third among all pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.
Based on new concepts of the general theory of physiotherapy, taking into account the available data on the use of the Azor-IK device (information-wave therapy) and the DiaDENS-T device (short-pulse electrical neurostimulation), physiotherapists have developed and tested quite effective methods for treating reflux esophagitis using these devices. The main goal of the developed methods is to achieve normalization of the sphincter-valve function of the cardia by imposing a physiological rhythm of the set of neuromuscular elements of the cardia that was lost due to pathological changes, based on the optimal minimum dose of exposure to a physical factor and biosynchronization of this exposure. These physiotherapy methods can be carried out in outpatient and polyclinic settings and at home.
Method of information-wave impact using the device "Azor-IK". The method is contact, stable. They affect the bare skin surface with one field directly under the xiphoid process of the sternum. The modulation frequency of the EMI is 80 Hz, the exposure time is 30 minutes. The course of treatment is 15 procedures daily 1 time per day in the morning on an empty stomach.
A method of electroneurostimulating therapy using the DiaDENS-T device. The technique is contact, stable. The exposed skin surface is affected by one field directly under the xiphoid process of the sternum. The exposure mode is constant at a frequency of electrical impulses of 77 Hz. The voltage of the electric current is strictly individual (according to subjective sensations in the form of a slight "tingling" under the electrode). Exposure time is 10 minutes. The course of treatment is daily exposure 2 times a day (in the morning on an empty stomach and before dinner) for 15 days.
Method of combined action. In the morning on an empty stomach, the procedure is carried out using the Azor-IK device according to the method described above, and before dinner, the DiaDENS-T device is used according to the corresponding method. The course of treatment is 15 daily procedures.
In case of a positive but insufficient clinical effect (incomplete normalization of the sphincter-valve function of the cardia), a repeated course of procedures of information-wave exposure or electroneurostimulating therapy, or a combined effect should be carried out 1 week after the main course of treatment. If necessary, subsequent similar courses of physiotherapy are carried out no more than once every 3 months.
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