The nervous system is one of the most complex structures of the body. Due to it, almost all daily human activity is carried out. It is based on nerve impulses formed in neurons. They are a kind of signals for the commission of an action. Their formation occurs mainly in the dendrites of nerve cells, from where the impulse enters the overlying sections of the central nervous system, is processed and returned to the working body, which underlies the movement. However, sometimes a malfunction occurs at the cellular level, and impulses begin to form incorrectly. Because of this, the function of one or more organs may be impaired, which leads to the development of a disease. This is especially often observed in children. Brain diseases are the result of such impulse failure.
In order to eliminate abnormal impulse formation, various methods of influencing the brain have been used for quite some time. In addition, these methods often have the goal of stimulating neurons to improve their performance. They can be either physiotherapeutic or medication, or complex. One of these methods is micropolarization of the brain of children. Reviews about this procedure are increasingly found on the pages of medical journals and websites. What is this procedure?
Method Details
The method of micropolarization is an effect on brain cells through a small direct current. For the first time, this procedure was proposed to be used at the Institute of Experimental Medicine. Currently, the largest center in Russia practicing this method is the Bekhterev Institute in St. Petersburg.
The technique is based on the numerous works of neurophysiologists, which are aimed at studying the biopotentials of the brain, their changes in various conditions and diseases, and reactions to external influences through currents of different strength and power.
The procedure is mainly used to treat various organic diseases of the brain (for example, stopping the effects of a stroke), but recently it has been used for healing purposes.
To exert an effect, a current of low strength and frequency (several tens or hundreds of ฮผA) is used. This value is significantly different from that used in various methods of physiotherapy.
When exposed to nerve cells, micropolarization of the brain helps to restore normal reactions and metabolic processes, which prevents pathological impulses and has a beneficial effect on cognitive and sensory functions.
Two subspecies of the method are distinguished - transcranial and transvertebral micropolarization. In essence, they are no different from each other (the same currents, the same electrodes, the same pathogenetic effect). The only difference is the location of the electrodes - with the transcranial method, they are superimposed on the head region and a specific fraction of the brain for local exposure. In the transvertebral method, stimulation of neurons of the spinal cord and the subsequent excitation of overlying brain structures through neural connections are used.
More about the procedure
How is micropolarization of the brain of children? Reviews about this technique are quite rare, so it is not widespread.
The procedure is not particularly difficult. A special helmet-cap with electrodes located on it is put on the patientโs head. It is part of the Reamed-Polaris specialized device specifically designed for this procedure. The method of micropolarization provides a local effect on certain areas of the brain, because of which the electrodes can be attached where pulse stimulation is needed.
During the procedure itself, the patient can actively go about their business (communicate, read a book, play). No unpleasant arises.
The stimulation time is about half an hour. This is the duration of one session, however, in order to see any effect, it is necessary to carry out several procedures. The result is noticeable if the number of sessions that require micropolarization of the brain of children is passed. Reviews usually note that success in treatment was observed after 8-10 regular procedures.
Some, according to reviews, before receiving the first results, 5-6 sessions were enough, but here it all depends on the individual characteristics of the brain.
Where is this technique used?
A similar effect on the brain can be used to treat both adults and children. For babies, it is most preferable, since it allows you to achieve maximum treatment results for many serious diseases.
In diseases of the nervous system in a child, micropolarization of the brain is effective for improving the condition with the following problems:
- Lag in development.
- Urinary incontinence (mostly nighttime).
- Degenerative-dystrophic processes.
In adults, transcranial micropolarization of the brain is used for a wider range of diseases, but it has a slightly lower therapeutic effect than in children. The procedure allows you to maximally eliminate the following problems:
- The consequences of a stroke.
- Residual effects after traumatic brain injury.
- Changes in the functioning of the brain after poisoning with anticholinergic poisons.
- Aphasia.
- Neuroses and neurosis-like conditions.
In rare cases, transcranial micropolarization of the brain can be used as a method of stimulating creativity and memory.
As soon as the procedure began, they actively tried to use it in the treatment of childhood autism, but this did not give any results. Autistic children did not respond to micropolarization of the brain (only EEG indicators changed, but there were no clinical results).
Clinical effects
How are the effects of micropolarization on the brain manifested? After the procedure, the following effects were observed:
- In adults, this technique allowed to reduce the number of operations according to indications to patients with hemorrhagic strokes and head injury (a decrease in the hematoma area was observed after completing a course of 8-10 procedures).
- Many speech disorders (stuttering, burr) after passing a certain number of sessions became more amenable to correction and disappeared several times faster.
- With the direct development of a stroke, the regression of the changes caused occurred more rapidly than with conservative interventions.
- Diagnostic and treatment procedures along with the course of TMHM allowed, if not returning, then lowering the tonal auditory thresholds by several tens of decibels.
- Visual acuity increased after undergoing treatment.
The first sign of the effectiveness of the procedure are changes in the electroencephalogram.
The procedure also allows you to restore many motor and mental functions, reduce the incidence of seizures and hyperkinesis, reduce the size of focal lesions and restore the function of some organs (for example, pelvic incontinence and involuntary bowel movements).
The effects persisted for at least two to three months, after which it was necessary to take the course again.
Features of the procedure at present
Due to the complexity of its use, this method is not yet very common. Transcranial micropolarization has not yet passed the required number of controlled studies and does not have a specific base of possible results due to their widest range. In some, after its implementation, a significant improvement in the functions of memory, mental ability was observed; in others, the results were poorly expressed or did not appear at all.
As for children, their transcranial micropolarization shows satisfactory results in the treatment of mental retardation. Often there are positive changes that occur much earlier than when using drug therapy or, for example, hypnosis. In addition to the fact that recovery processes are accelerated, the child becomes more sociable, active and positively inclined.
In the treatment of Down's disease or autism, data has not yet been confirmed. It is not yet fully understood how micropolarization affects brain cells. In many studies, the result was minimal or not at all. However, as experts note, no deterioration was observed after the procedure.
Micropolarization of the brain in children. Effects
What is the mechanism of action of the procedure in question? The impact is due to the weak current, comparable in power with the biopotentials of the brain. This has a stimulating effect on brain cells. The regulation of excitability is carried out with its bringing to a normal level.
Due to the local action of the current, two effects appear - systemic and local. The latter is manifested due to decongestant action, anti-inflammatory effect and stimulation of trophism of the affected areas of the brain.
The systemic action is carried out due to the complex of synapses located between the nerve cells of all parts of the body, as well as due to the interaction of distant structures and components of the central nervous system (for example, between different lobes and hemispheres of the brain).
During this process, both the cerebral cortex and the deep-lying structures are stimulated, which allows to reduce or, conversely, increase their physiological activity.
A positive effect of the procedure is observed when neurons adequately respond to a pulse effect and as a result change their excitability and metabolism.
Due to the fact that the long-term effect of micropolarization is preserved (for those to whom the procedure has helped), it is possible to conduct the next course six months after the first.
Contraindications to the procedure
Like all therapeutic measures, this technique has some contraindications. If they are present, the development of significant complications is often observed.
Contraindications include the following:
- Increased sensitivity and individual intolerance to current.
- Acute skin diseases localized at the site of application of the electrodes. They are a contraindication to almost all methods of physiotherapy, not excluding micropolarization.
- An increase in body temperature for some time. It can be a sign of a dangerous brain disease, and the effect of current on the diseased organ from the outside will only worsen the course of the disease.
- Diseases of the circulatory system.
- The presence of foreign objects and foreign bodies in the cavity of the cranium or spinal column (especially metal, for example, wire or staples for fixing fragments of vertebral processes).
- Diseases of the cardiovascular system in the stage of decompensation.
- Marked narrowing of the cerebral vessels due to atherosclerosis or congenital stenosis, due to which the brain cells experience oxygen starvation, while there is a risk of vascular rupture during the procedure with the development of hematoma and hemorrhagic stroke.
- Malignant formations of the brain. Micropolarization can provoke tumor growth if present (even if it is the smallest size).
- Violent patient behavior and neurotic status. In such patients, it is difficult to record indications, because of their excessive activity, they often disrupt the electrodes.
- Parallel use of strong psychotropic drugs, as well as certain procedures (such as acupuncture, muscle electrical stimulation, etc.).
It is not worth combining micropolarization with nootropic therapy, since medication can be replaced by a pulsed effect on the cerebral cortex.
Where is this procedure carried out?
Over the past ten years, the transcranial micropolarization method has been trying to increasingly practice. Only a few centers specializing in this technique can carry out the considered procedure. What are these institutions and where are they located?
Similar centers are located in cities such as St. Petersburg and Voronezh. In the latter, this procedure can be performed in the specialized clinic "Alternative Plus". However, micropolarization is best studied and actively introduced into use where it was proposed (Bekhterev Institute in St. Petersburg). The Institute of Medical Rehabilitation "Return" and the Institute of the Human Brain are not far behind in this regard.
Due to the specifics, as well as the staff of these institutions (almost all employees come from the Ankylosing spondylitis Institute), it is there that you can carry out the micropolarization procedure, as well as get answers to questions of interest.
Many other hospitals are trying to use this technique, but due to the limited number of specialists involved in this problem, extensive implementation is still a significant challenge.
Impression of this procedure for those who passed it
At numerous forums devoted to diseases of the brain, this treatment technique is actively understood and discussed. What are the parents' impressions of such a procedure as micropolarization of the children's brain? Reviews on specialized forums are varied - someone liked the procedure, and the effect was well expressed (according to one of the mothers of a disabled child, her son became calmer, the first signs of speech and consciousness began to appear, the number of involuntary inappropriate acts decreased).
Others speak of the procedure as useless. They did not observe any positive effect from her or it was minimal, and it could be attributed to success in activities with the child, self-healing or simply regression of the process.
Note that those who underwent brain micropolarization, reviews leave both positive and negative. It is because of this that one cannot judge the effectiveness of the procedure, since the results are in the widest range.
The only proven positive effect of micropolarization can be considered an improvement in brain waves recorded on an EEG (electroencephalogram), although in many children with autism, this indicator is not effective, since their brain activity is no different from normal.
Is it worth it to carry out this procedure
Does my child need this procedure? A similar question was probably asked by many parents of babies with developmental problems. Most are overwhelmed by doubts, because after reading on the Internet about what micropolarization of the brain is (the reviews about this procedure are extremely contradictory), they cannot determine its effectiveness. However, many decide to carry it out simply out of despair, trying to help their baby at least in some way.
Undoubtedly, the choice should always be made in favor of the child. Given that there are those for whom micropolarization has had the proper effect (reviews about it in such cases are the best), why not try it? This procedure does not cause harm, it will be a pity only the time and money spent in case of failure.
It should be remembered that each person is individual in essence, and one can easily respond to therapy with the brain (images on MRI will indicate a regression of the organic pathological area), while the other patient will not respond to the procedure. This may be due to both the individual sensitivity of neurons to the effects of pulses, and improper selection of charge and waves. Most often this is the main reason for the inefficiency of the procedure. Even if micropolarization was carried out, reviews about it would turn out to be negative, since they did not take into account the individual characteristics of the human brain and did not conduct proper diagnostic procedures aimed at determining the minimum indications of exposure.
Now let's talk a little about the cost of the procedure. It is not particularly high (within a thousand to two hundred rubles). Despite this, it should be remembered that from one procedure the effect is almost never manifested, at least several sessions are required, which will cost a pretty penny. In addition, a mandatory consultation of a neurologist and a psychiatrist is necessary to determine possible contraindications for micropolarization, which also costs a lot. . โ , . .