Every graduate of a medical school, regardless of the specialization that he received, took the Hippocratic oath. The most important thing is not to harm human health, but to do everything possible to help him and alleviate his suffering. However, unfortunately, medicine is an “insidious” science, and sometimes it happens that the treatment of one disease leads to the appearance of another. This is often due to potent drugs that adversely affect certain organs of the person. For this reason, today, modern medicine recommends using the most gentle treatment methods, among which the so-called UHF therapy is especially popular. Everyone has probably heard of this unique physiotherapy technique. Many even had to learn from their own experience what UHF therapy is. Photos from the physiotherapy room can even be found in the photo album of some patients. This is so interesting and unusual for the layman. Moreover, at present, the number of those people who understand and recognize the effectiveness and usefulness of such a method of treatment is growing rapidly. In addition, UHF is used not only for medicinal purposes, but also for prevention. The popularity of the technique, plus everything, is due to its safety and the absence of pain during the procedure.
The mechanism of action of UHF therapy
UHF therapy is prescribed to many patients by their attending physician, the mechanism of action of which requires a more detailed examination. This physiotherapy technique is based on exposure to the human body with high frequency magnetic waves, the length of which does not exceed ten meters. The device for UHF-therapy works according to the following principle: capacitor plates are placed close to certain organs and tissues of the body. It should be noted that there are two ways of placement: longitudinal and transverse.
The plates are applied in a transverse way so that magnetic waves can pierce all body tissues. This is necessary if there is a deep occurrence of the organ affected by the disease. If there is a treatment for a pathology that is not deep in the body, a sufficient surface effect. In this case, a longitudinal method of plate placement is used.
In addition, there are two different types of capacitor electrodes:
- disk-shaped plates made of metal and coated with a special insulating material;
- fairly soft, rectangular plates, the area of which does not exceed 600 cm².
Regardless of the type of capacitor electrodes, they are connected to a specially adapted generator.
It should be noted that patients with not any specific pathology, but suffering from completely different ailments, are prescribed UHF therapy. The mechanism of action allows you to effectively deal with a huge number of diseases with minimal time. The current power is set depending on the area to be affected. For example, to affect the cervical region or face, from 20 to 40 watts are needed, and from 70 to 100 watts to treat the pelvic organs, as well as large joints.
The device for UHF-therapy provides a constant movement of ions and molecules. They collide with each other, due to which friction is created, and heat enters the tissues of the body, which has a beneficial effect on microcirculation, the metabolic process, etc.
Patients are often prescribed UHF therapy. The mechanism of action is not very complicated, but nevertheless, it would be nice for ordinary people to know how the procedure goes. Of course, there is no need to delve deeply into the essence of the problem. There is enough general information that can be understood by a person who is far from medicine, visiting a doctor only from time to time, if absolutely necessary. So, first of all, the physiotherapist must sanitize the capacitor plates and check their health. If no damage was found during the inspection, the procedure can be started. The physiotherapy room is equipped with special chairs and couches, on which the patient is laid. The lower body of the patient is placed in such a way that it is located between the electrodes, but not in contact with them. A certain air gap should be formed with a diameter of 2 cm in the case of the transverse method of laying the plates, and 1 cm in the longitudinal. Physiotherapist must ensure that the air gap is maintained throughout the procedure, the duration of which varies from 5 to 16 minutes. The full course of treatment is 10-15 procedures, depending on the recommendations of the doctor.
The main objectives of UHF therapy
Among the main tasks, as well as the possibilities of UHF-therapy, the following should be noted:
- Destroy or at least significantly reduce the vital activity of pathogenic bacteria.
- Slow down the production of toxic products in the foci of inflammation.
- Strengthen the connective tissue and create a kind of protective barrier.
- Improve the effectiveness of immunological processes.
- Speed up regenerative processes.
For the treatment of which diseases is UHF therapy prescribed
It has already been noted above that UHF is prescribed to patients with various diseases. Indications for the use of this therapy are really very extensive. This once again confirms the effectiveness of the methodology and the appropriateness of its use. UHF-therapy successfully fights diseases:
- nervous system: encephalitis, phantom pain, neuralgia, cerebrovascular accident, Raynaud's disease, polyneuritis, meningitis;
- respiratory system: pneumonia, frontitis, bronchial asthma, rhinitis (subacute, acute and vasomotor), pleurisy, pansinusitis, sinusitis, bronchiectasis, bronchitis;
- cardiovascular system: acute thrombophlebitis and hypertension;
- genitourinary system: cystitis, prostatitis, salpingoophoritis, nephritis, epididymitis, pyelonephritis (acute and chronic);
- gastrointestinal system: enteritis, paraproctitis, gastritis (acute and chronic), colitis, stomach ulcers, viral hepatitis, hepatocholecystitis;
- musculoskeletal system: osteochondrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, infectious arthritis, subacute osteomyelitis, arthrosis, tendovaginitis, polyarthritis;
- integuments: furunculosis, mastitis, pyoderma, hydradenitis, carbuncles, postoperative infiltrate, burns, purulent wounds, trophic ulcer.
Despite all the indications listed for UHF, only a doctor can prescribe treatment.
How does UHF therapy affect various body systems
What diseases UHF therapy is fighting with, we got acquainted. However, the question remains as to how UHF treatment affects different body systems. In this sense, it would be advisable to note that this technique contributes to:
- a decrease in the tone of the sympathetic nervous system and an increase in the activity of parasympathetic NS;
- regarding the cardiovascular system: decrease in vascular tone, amelioration of venous outflow, as well as a significant expansion of capillaries;
- improving the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, due to the reduction of the spasms that its smooth muscles undergo, the faster the separation of bile, the improvement of metabolism, the activation of motor and, accordingly, secretory function;
- reducing the level of pathogenic bacteria in the body and enhancing phagocytosis.
In what cases is UHF therapy contraindicated?
Like any other medical procedure, it has some limitations regarding the purpose and UHF therapy. Contraindications apply to the following cases:
- individual intolerance to waves;
- pronounced problems of the heart system;
- some diseases of the vascular system;
- vascular weakness;
- the presence in the patient’s body of foreign metal bodies (dental bridges, crowns);
- benign formations.
In the above cases, the doctor may still prescribe UHF. Contraindications are not absolute, so the doctor can decide on the appropriateness of the procedure.
The situation changes radically if the patient reveals:
- malignant lesions or the slightest suspicion of their presence;
- the development of purulent inflammatory processes in the body;
- hypotension, due to which blood pressure can drop sharply;
- temperature;
- hemophilia;
- pregnancy (II – III trimester);
- bleeding.
In these cases, it is strictly forbidden to use UHF. Contraindications are absolute and the risk of serious complications is very high.
Can UHF-therapy be used to treat children?
Despite a rather long list of contraindications, modern medicine claims that UHF therapy can be prescribed to children of any age, starting from birth. The difference between the treatment of adults and children is only in the power of exposure to the body. In addition, the sessions of the children last an order of magnitude less - 5-10 minutes. UHF therapy is even more often prescribed for babies. The mechanism of action, however, remains the same. To date, physiotherapy for children has been successfully used throughout the world. It helps an organism that is not yet fully formed to fight this or that disease on its own. For this, modern medical equipment of the highest quality is used. Most often, doctors recommend warming the nose with a runny nose. Of course, kids are not so easy to get to sit in one place. Nevertheless, air clearance rules should be followed without fail. To create the most comfortable conditions for the child, circles of the required thickness made of flannel or felt are fixed between the plates and the body.
Physiotherapy for children is used not only to treat various diseases, but also for prevention.
The use of UHF-therapy for sinusitis
Sinusitis is a disease that absolutely can not be left without due attention. In order to avoid complications, they require immediate, comprehensive treatment. That is why often ENT, among other things, prescribes UHF for sinusitis to its patients. However, it should be noted that this technique is one of the anti-inflammatory therapies and gives a positive effect only if it is combined with drug treatment. This means that at the same time as UHF, other methods of treatment of sinusitis should be used.
Many people, not understanding the meaning of UHF-therapy, are wondering what its benefits are. Such patients would not hurt to know that, unlike the classical procedures used in the treatment of sinusitis (rinsing, puncture), exposure to ultra-high frequencies does not cause pain. In addition, the electric field affects ions and tissue molecules, due to which it is noted:
- capillary expansion;
- a significant improvement in the permeability of the walls of blood vessels, resulting in increased susceptibility to drugs;
- activation of phagocytes, which allows cells to fight infection more actively.
In order to achieve the desired result, the procedure must be carried out in compliance with all existing rules. For example, before visiting the physiotherapy room, the nasal passages should be thoroughly cleaned of mucus. To do this, you can use vasoconstrictive nasal drops or some kind of spray.
The power of exposure is determined by the doctor depending on the form of the disease, as well as its severity. Sessions are held either daily or at intervals of one day for a maximum of five minutes. The full course of treatment should not be more than 15 procedures.
Warming the nose with a cold will help prevent the development of sinusitis.
Is it possible to carry out UHF therapy at home?
In medical institutions, only medical personnel who have passed special training without fail are allowed to work with UHF devices. However, not all patients have the opportunity to visit the physiotherapy room every day for 10-15 days. Everyone has their own reasons for this - some are too busy working at home, others cannot let the team in the workplace, young mothers have no one to leave their beloved child on, disabled people have a hard time getting to the clinic on their own, and schoolchildren cannot miss school for such a long time . In such a situation, many have a very reasonable question as to whether it is possible to carry out UHF therapy at home and, if the answer is yes, then what is needed for this.
To clarify the situation, first of all, it should be noted that medicine is currently developing at a tremendous pace. The fact that yesterday it was even hard to imagine today is no longer surprising. People are accustomed to doing on their own what in the recent past they could do only by visiting a medical institution. For example, could someone else recently suggest that it will soon become possible to measure blood sugar levels at home? Of course, this seemed like science fiction, which simply was not destined to be realized. However, reality proved the opposite, and everyone had the opportunity, without much difficulty, to acquire medical equipment that helps a person solve many health problems without direct medical intervention. Surprisingly, scientists even managed to create special equipment for UHF therapy, the use of which does not require a medical education and specific knowledge. However, before applying it at home, you need to remember a few simple rules:
- Initially, you should carefully read the instructions that the manufacturer attaches to each device they produce.
- If possible, take a short training session with a physiotherapist.
- Before starting a course of physiotherapy, you should definitely consult a specialist, since UHF therapy, as you know, has a number of contraindications, ignoring which can lead to disastrous consequences.
- The number of sessions required for the course of treatment is determined solely by the doctor.
As a rule, at home, portable devices that have automatic tuning are used. They are also equipped with a timer. Most of these devices operate at a frequency ranging from 27 to 40 MHz.
Safety Precautions and Side Effects
The use of any medical equipment requires extreme caution. The devices used in UHF therapy are no exception in this sense. Thus, according to the rules, it is necessary:
- Use stationary devices exclusively in shielded rooms.
- If UHF therapy is carried out in the ward of a medical institution, the patient should be placed at a safe distance from all metal as well as grounded objects.
- Before you begin the procedure, you should carefully inspect all the wires, paying particular attention to their integrity. If bare wires are detected, the session must be postponed until troubleshooting.
- Technical and therapeutic circuits need to be tuned in resonance with each other.
- In no case should the device wires touch. Direct contact with the patient’s body or any metal object is also unacceptable.
- If metal dentures or crowns are present in the patient’s body, the apparatus can be used, however, the dose of exposure should be reduced.
Ignoring these rules can lead to the following consequences:
- The patient may get burns of varying severity if the tissue pad is not dry enough or if the metal plate is in contact with the patient’s skin.
- If the wires of the UHF apparatus are not insulated, the patient may be shocked.
How effective is UHF therapy?
UHF has been proven by time. A huge number of famous doctors give a simple explanation for this fact: the UHF field does not pose any danger to human health and, subject to all the necessary rules, does not have any side effects. , , . , , . , - , , , – . , .
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The undeniable advantages of UHF therapy can be listed for a long time. Its merits are recognized by scientists all over the world. It not only perfectly fights infections, but also contributes to the overall strengthening of the body. Given all of the above, it would be foolish not to use this unique physiotherapy technique, because nature itself gives humanity a chance to live a happy life, forgetting about illnesses and ailments.