Tissues of the human body contain solutions of salts and colloids. Colloids are proteins, glycogenes and other large-molecule substances. These substances together with others are included in the compounds of body fluids, glandular tissue and muscles. From the molecules of these substances, electrically charged ions are formed. In the human body, the electric current is distributed unevenly, so the conductivity and flow of current depend on the presence of good conductors and fatty tissue, as it does not conduct electrical current well.
The treatment with electric current, which is performed when the electrodes are applied, skin receptors are irritated. The reason for this is the change in ion density in the human body. During the galvanizing process, the patient can feel a slight tingling and burning under the electrodes. Due to this, irritation of nerve endings occurs, and nerve impulses enter the central nervous system. All this contributes to the formation of local and general reactions of the body.
Galvanic current
When the galvanic current and the body interact, the blood vessels increase and the blood flow increases. Biological active substances, such as, histamine, serotonin and others, arise at the place where this interaction takes place.
The galvanic current normalizes the state of the human nervous system, increases the functional capacity of the heart, and also stimulates the activity of endocrine glands. In addition, this method accelerates the regeneration process, and, consequently, increases the protective forces of the human body.
In particular, the galvanic current exerts a strong effect when interacting with drugs.
Very often, a vascular reaction is observed on the human body, in places where electrodes are applied. It is expressed in the form of skin hyperemia, which will last for several hours. A longer exposure to the current on the human body will reduce the pain and tactile properties of the skin.
When placing electrodes in the head region, patients may feel a metallic taste in their mouth. In addition, dizziness may occur, and phosphenes will appear.
Indications for galvanotherapy
The galvanotherapy method can be used for a wide range of diseases. It is prescribed for patients with coronary artery disease, hypertensive disease of the first and second stage, various inflammatory processes, dyskinesia of the intestine and biliary tract, as well as ulcer of the duodenum and stomach.
Treatment with electrical (galvanic) current helps with myositis, bronchial asthma, chronic arthritis and polyarthritis. It can be used for neuralgia, neuritis, plexitis, radiculitis, with damage to the peripheral nervous system, which can be traumatic, toxic and infectious. Also helps with the disease of female genital organs, the disease of the nervous system: disorder of cerebral circulation, migraine, trauma of the spinal cord and brain.
The method is also used to treat skin problems: small wrinkles, dry skin, postcranial scars, seborrhea and other diseases. Galvanotherapy is effective in dental diseases, trophic disorders, bone fractures, eye diseases.
Electric current treatment for children
Galvanotherapy can also be used to treat children. This method can be started from the first month of the child's life. For this, the specialist must pay attention to the overall reaction of the baby, as well as the condition of his skin. The number and duration of procedures should be less than one third.
Also in the treatment, the galvanic current density should be less than in adult patients.
Contraindications galvanotherapy
Contraindications in the treatment of electric shock are:
- pregnancy;
- the presence of tumors of all possible localization;
- the presence of acute purulent and inflammatory processes;
- individual intolerance to the current;
- intoxication;
- with various skin diseases.
It is also not recommended to use if the patient's skin shows signs of skin disorders, except in this case is the wound process. It is not recommended to use the method for eczema, dermatitis, as well as for other skin diseases of a general nature. You can not apply galvanic current, if the patient has severe cachexia, there is a loss of pain sensitivity, as well as severe atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases in decompensation.
Apparatus for galvanotherapy
For the galvanotherapy method, special instruments are used. The galvanic current flows through the AC rectifier, which has control and regulating devices.
For procedures of general and local galvanotherapy, the AG-75 apparatus is used, which is called "Potok-1" and the AGN-32 apparatus. In addition, AGP-33 can be used.
The device GR-GM is used in dental procedures with the help of special electrodes.
The AGN-32 apparatus can be used in galvanotherapy procedures with the aid of an attachment for connecting electrodes used in special hydro-galvanic baths. The console has two carbon and graphite electrodes.