Physiological effects of electrotherapy

General information and causes

Back pain, known under the medical terms "lumbalgia," "lumbago," "lumbosacral pain," or "lumbosciatica," is very commonly encountered nowadays in medical practice, the most frequent causes of this pain being a condition of the back muscles or ligaments, displacement of the intervertebral disc, arthrosis, herniated disc, damage to the nerves of the lumbar plexus, etc.

According to studies conducted on this topic, approximately 90% of the world's population experiences back pain at least once during their lifetime. According to these studies, the average age of onset of back pain is getting lower and lower.

Numerous therapeutic methods have now been developed to combat and relieve back pain. Among these therapeutic methods we mention: kinesiotherapy, therapeutic massage, physiotherapy, bed rest, local application of warm or cold compresses to the surface of the painful area, pain-relieving, muscle-relaxant, or anti-inflammatory medication, and in severe cases, with no response to the methods mentioned above, surgical intervention.

What electrotherapy is and how it works

In general, treatment through electrical stimulation delivers a low-intensity current, perceived by the patient in the form of pulses, which acts on the muscles and nerve endings. This electric current constantly causes the muscles to contract and relax. Repeated stimulation can strengthen and relax the muscles, which leads to a reduction in pain. There are several types of electrotherapy currently in use. The most common, however, is the transcutaneous type. One of the advantages of transcutaneous electrical stimulation is that the device used to apply electrotherapy can be used quickly and does not require a long time (generally for back pain or other muscle pain), which allows the patient to treat their problems quite simply. The frequency of the electrical signal is adjustable, allowing the intensity and duration of the treatment to be adjusted. The frequency signal can be tolerated by the patient for hours on end, and the discomfort is minimal.

The main objectives of electrotherapy

The main objectives of electrotherapy for combating back pain are: reducing local inflammation and pain, restoring the correct position of the spine and the entire body, relaxing the paravertebral muscles that are contracted, preventing complications that may occur in this case, and restoring spinal function. Electrotherapy is a particular form of physiotherapy that involves the use of electrical current at different frequencies, to prevent or treat various conditions.

The physiological effects of electrotherapy

Pain-relieving effect, secondary to decreased tissue excitability

Increased skin permeability

Increased local metabolism

Hyperoxygenation of the body's tissues

Decreased nerve reflexivity

Activation of blood circulation in the muscles (300%) and the skin (500%), with secondary vasodilation

Regulation of nerve impulse transmission in neurovegetative dystonias

Sedative effect on the central nervous system

Pain-relieving effect (acts on the motor nerves within reflex therapy)

Stimulating effect on the autonomic nerves.

Centrokinetic is the place where you will find answers and clear solutions for your movement problems. The clinic dedicated to osteoarticular conditions is divided into the following specialized departments:

Orthopedics, a department made up of a highly experienced team of orthopedic doctors, led by Dr. Andrei Ioan Bogdan, senior physician in orthopedics-traumatology, with surgical activity at Medlife Orthopedic Hospital, specialized in sports traumatology and in ankle and foot surgery.

Pediatric orthopedics, where children's sports conditions (ligament and meniscus injuries), spinal deformities (scoliosis, kyphosis, hyperlordosis), and foot deformities (hallux valgus, hallux rigidus, clubfoot, flat valgus foot, cavus foot) are treated.

Neurology, which has a state-of-the-art department, where consultations, electroencephalograms (EEG), and electromyographies (EMG) are performed.

Medical recovery for adults and children, a department specialized in the recovery of performance athletes, in spinal conditions, in the recovery of children with neurological and traumatic conditions. Our experience is extremely extensive, having treated over 5000 performance athletes.

Medical imaging, the clinic being equipped with ultrasound and MRI, high-performance devices dedicated to musculoskeletal conditions, and complemented by an experienced team of radiologists: Dr. Sorin Ghiea and Dr. Cosmin Pantu, specialized in musculoskeletal imaging.

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