UHF therapy is a therapeutic method in which ultrahigh and high frequency currents are used to treat . The range is from 10 to 300 MHz.
UHF therapy is a method with anti-inflammatory, hyposensitizing, analgesic, bacteriostatic effects. The use of this type of therapy enhances the immune processes, including the phagocytic activity of leukocytes.
UHF therapy involves the use of a pulsed and continuous electric field with increased penetrating power. Under its influence, ion vibrations occur in the tissues of the body, displacement of atomic groups and electron shells within molecular limits, directional orientation in large dipole molecules is carried out. The absorbed energy of the microwave electric field is converted into heat. In this case, tissue is provided with selective heating. Thus, a greater amount of heat is formed in the bones and subcutaneous tissue, less of it is formed in the skin, muscles, lymph, nerve tissue and blood. The body responds to exposure not only due to changes in tissues of biological and physico-chemical processes, but also irritation of nerve endings.
Equipment for carrying out procedures has a fundamental resemblance to equipment for diathermy.
Depending on the position of the electrodes, transverse and longitudinal (tangential) therapy is determined. In the first case, the effect is carried out on pathological processes located deeply. Longitudinal UHF therapy is used for a superficially located lesion.
Electrodes from the skin are located at a certain distance. The gap between the capacitor plates, their location relative to the pathological focus determines the depth of the field and the degree of heat sensation of the patient. The closer the electrode is to the surface of the skin, the more shallow the effect. Thus, for the treatment of diseases such as folliculitis, acne, impetigo, boils, minor abscesses, it is placed as close to the affected area as possible.
Depending on the degree of exposure, there are thermal, subthermal and athermal doses. The appointment of any of them is carried out taking into account the severity and course of the pathology. So, with a therapeutic effect on acute inflammatory processes, an athermal dosage with a transition at the end of the course to subthermal is recommended. Thermal doses are prescribed in order to exacerbate sluggish purulent inflammation.
The therapeutic course includes fifteen to twenty procedures. Sessions can be held every other day or daily. The duration of the procedures does not exceed seven or ten minutes.
Treatment can be carried out with various equipment. One of the devices is UHF-60. Compared to its predecessors, the device has less weight. Electric holders in the device are represented by flexible hoses.
A more modern device is UHF-80-3 Undaterm. The equipment is equipped with automatic tuning, seven degrees of power adjustment. The portable device "Undaterm" is used in medical institutions of neurological, therapeutic profiles and in pediatrics. The equipment is intended for exposure to a magnetic or electric field for various diseases in a physiotherapy room.
Indications for the procedures are:
- pathology of peripheral vessels;
- consequences of injuries and diseases of the nervous system, musculoskeletal system;
- trophic ulcers;
- inflammation, toxic skin diseases, neurodermatitis, eczema.