Electrophoresis is a popular physiotherapeutic method, during which a drug is injected into the affected area through the action of galvanic current, without damaging the skin. Electrophoresis with novocaine is especially often used for osteochondrosis of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. This procedure helps alleviate pain, eliminate muscle spasms, and stimulate blood microcirculation.
The rehabilitation clinic of the Yusupov Hospital is equipped with modern physiotherapeutic equipment necessary to carry out effective procedures. Experienced physiotherapists monitor the entire treatment process until the patients’ complete recovery.
Electrophoresis with novocaine: rules of execution
The electrophoresis procedure with novocaine is quite simple to perform. It is carried out using two fabric pads with dimensions corresponding to the electrodes. The electrode fits freely inside the gasket and is covered on both sides with fabric.
The novocaine solution is applied to a clean, damp pad at a warm temperature, the medicinal substance is applied to the positive or negative electrode in accordance with the table.
Electrodes with fabric pads are applied to the affected area (on the cervical, thoracic or lumbar region of the spine), maintaining a small distance between them and fixing them with plastic bags filled with sand or cellophane film.
There is another way to perform the procedure that does not involve the use of gaskets.
After applying the medicinal substance and electrodes, the device is turned on. The current must be increased very gradually. The level is selected depending on the patient’s sensations: in the areas where the electrodes are located, he should experience a slight tingling sensation.
Electrophoresis with novocaine should not be accompanied by pain or burning sensations, as this threatens the appearance of a burn on the treated areas.
Electrophoresis procedures are recommended to be carried out daily or every other day. The course usually consists of 10-20 sessions lasting from 10 to 15 minutes.
Electrophoresis with novocaine: indications
Electrophoresis with novocaine is used at the Rehabilitation Center of the Yusupov Hospital for patients with various diseases in almost all medical fields:
- neurological ailments (migraines, neuroses);
- diseases of the cardiovascular system (hypertension);
- ENT diseases;
- pulmonary (bronchitis, pneumonia);
- gynecological (adhesions, erosions;
- urological (inflammatory, adhesive processes);
- in surgery (for burns, postoperative scars);
- dermatological problems;
- dental diseases (inflammation, fluorosis);
- in traumatology and orthopedics.
Due to its absolute safety, electrophoresis with novocaine can be used even by children, including newborns.
What is Dimexide?
Dimexide is produced as a liquid concentrate for external use. One brown glass bottle (50-100 ml) contains dimethyl sulfoxide.
Popular manufacturers of the Solution are Pharmamed/Iodine Marketing Technologies/Tathimfarmpreparaty, Russia. The cost of the medicine ranges from 42 to 100 rubles.
Dimexide has a strong local anesthetic effect. The concentrate also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity.
It is noteworthy that the solution changes the sensitivity of microflora to antibacterial agents. The medicine also improves the penetration of other drugs into tissues.
Dimexide is prescribed for pathologies of the locomotor system (arthropathy, arthritis, osteoarthritis), injuries, bruises, sprains. The concentrate is used for skin diseases, swelling, abscesses, burns and purulent wounds. The drug is also used in surgery and dentistry.
Contraindications:
- Glaucoma
- Stroke
- Pregnancy
- Dimethyl sulfoxide intolerance
- Angina pectoris
- Atherosclerosis
- Coma
- Heart attack
- Lactation
- Age up to 6 years.
Before use, Dimexide is diluted with water so that the concentration of the product is 30-50%. Lotions and compresses are made from the resulting solution. The procedure is carried out up to 3 times a day. Treatment time is up to 15 days.
Possible negative reactions of Dimexide are bronchospasm, erythema, vomiting, itching, nausea, dermatitis. Diarrhea, vertigo, adynamia and sleep disturbance are also likely.
Electrophoresis with novocaine: contraindications
Despite its harmlessness, electrophoresis with novocaine is contraindicated in patients with the following diseases and conditions:
- various neoplasms;
- fever or high temperature;
- acute inflammatory processes;
- purulent processes;
- severe bronchial asthma;
- aphasia;
- severe conditions;
- individual intolerance to the procedure (the main active ingredient of the drug);
- acute stages of radicular syndrome;
- tuberculosis;
- tendency to develop bleeding.
It is not recommended to carry out electrophoresis with novocaine if there is damage to the skin at the site of intended exposure.
Electrophoresis with novocaine for osteochondrosis
Electrophoresis with novocaine shows excellent results in the treatment of osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis develops when the intervertebral discs lose their elasticity and elasticity, and their subsequent dehydration, which leads to gradual destruction. Osteophytes – bone growths – form at the edges of the discs. Collapsed intervertebral discs lead to changes in the height of the vertebrae, as a result of which the nerve roots located between the vertebrae are pinched, resulting in pain in the patient.
Osteochondrosis develops in specific parts of the spine: the lumbar, cervical, and thoracic spine.
Doctors at the Rehabilitation Center at the Yusupov Hospital select a particular drug for electrophoresis depending on the stage of the disease:
- in the acute stage, electrophoresis is performed with novocaine, baralgin, sodium salicylate, benzohexonium, pentamine;
- in the recovery stage, electrophoresis with sulfur, zinc, nicotinic acid, aminophylline, bischofite, therapeutic mud or mud squeezes is prescribed.
Electrophoresis with novocaine is carried out in cases of exacerbation of cervical and lumbar osteochondrosis, in patients with radicular pain, reduced or absent sensitivity in the area of pain.
When performing electrophoresis, the anode is placed on the collar area or in the area of maximum pain. The cathode is placed symmetrically in the spine area.
A gasket soaked in a solution of novocaine (0.5%) or procaine is placed under the anode. The duration of the procedure itself is from 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the intensity of the pain; in case of severe pain, electrophoresis can be performed twice a day. A course of electrophoresis with novocaine for osteochondrosis consists of 10-20 sessions.
For patients with pronounced pain syndrome outside the exacerbation phase of the disease, disturbances in the circulatory system in the spinal roots, a feeling of numbness, coldness in the legs and feet, specialists at the Yusupov Hospital rehabilitation clinic recommend bipolar electrophoresis with novocaine and nicotinic acid.
This procedure is performed by analogy with the previous one, but using a solution of novocaine (0.5%) for the anode and a solution of nicotinic acid (1%) for the cathode.
Electrophoresis with novocaine (in addition - with analgin, nicotinic acid) can also be used to treat diseases of periarticular tissues:
- bursitis (inflammation of the periarticular mucous membrane, most often in the knee or elbow joint);
- myositis (inflammatory process in the muscles);
- epicondylitis (an inflammatory process that affects the periosteum located on the large protrusions of the long tubular bones of the upper and lower extremities - humerus, radius, elbow, tibia, femur).
High results in the treatment of osteochondrosis at the Rehabilitation Center of the Yusupov Hospital are achieved through the integrated use of electrophoresis with novocaine, drug therapy and massage. The simultaneous provision of local, general and manual effects ensures rapid elimination of pain. This treatment tactic significantly increases the effect of using muscle relaxants.
Physiotherapy in gynecology
Physiotherapy is an important method in the fight against diseases of the female reproductive system. Most often, this area of medicine is used to treat acute and chronic pathologies. However, physical therapy is effective in preparation for surgical procedures or in the postoperative period, during pregnancy, and also after childbirth.
Indications
- cracked nipples;
- lactation mastitis;
- vulvitis;
- vaginitis;
- vulvovaginitis;
- bartholinitis;
- colpitis;
- cervical erosion;
- inflammatory diseases of the uterus, appendages, as well as the pelvic peritoneum and tissue in the acute and chronic stages;
- functional ovarian cysts during remission;
- dysfunctional uterine bleeding;
- weakness of labor;
- menstrual dysfunction not accompanied by bleeding;
- endocrine syndromes in gynecology;
- painful menstruation;
- recovery after gynecological operations;
- recovery after termination of pregnancy, treatment for miscarriage;
- preparation for IVF.
Physiotherapy can reduce the treatment time for diseases, helps in cases of ineffectiveness of other treatment methods (for example, during the occurrence of chronic pelvic pain due to adhesive disease), reduces the recovery time after surgical interventions, and is also used in the prevention of complications and relapses.
Goals of physical therapy
Treatment with natural factors has the following effects:
- anesthesia;
- improvement of blood and lymph circulation;
- restoration of hormonal levels;
- restoration of organ function;
- resorption and prevention of adhesions;
- improvement of trophism and metabolic processes in tissues;
- stimulation of cellular immunity, tissue repair and regeneration processes.
Contraindications to physiotherapy
Contraindications to physiotherapeutic procedures are:
- cysts;
- endometriosis;
- malignant, benign formations;
- bleeding;
- fever;
- the patient's serious condition;
- cachexia;
- mental illness in the acute stage;
- menstruation period;
- acute renal and liver failure;
- purulent pathologies;
- genital tuberculosis;
- urolithiasis disease.
Physiotherapy during pregnancy
The use of physical treatment factors during pregnancy is completely justified and safe.
Physiotherapy is prescribed for toxicosis, uterine hypertonicity, and weakness of labor. Exposure to physical factors allows you to refuse to prescribe pharmacological drugs or significantly reduce their dosage, as well as avoid the development of side effects of medications.
In the postpartum period, physical treatment is also important, since very often the formation of lactation is accompanied by the occurrence of mastitis. In addition, physical therapy is indicated in the recovery period after cesarean section, to stimulate the healing of sutures after episiotomy and ruptures.
Factors applied
The prescription of physiotherapeutic procedures must correspond to the existing deviations and be carried out in accordance with the therapeutic effects of physical factors and their mechanisms of action.
Magnetic therapy is actively and successfully used in the postoperative period.
For pain relief and vascular spasm relief, electro- and ultrasound therapy are prescribed.
Ultrasound therapy is used to stimulate the hormonal function of the ovaries. Ultrasound and electrophoresis with enzyme preparations are used to resolve and soften adhesions.
For inflammatory pathologies with bacteriostatic and bactericidal functions, ultraviolet irradiation is prescribed.
Infrared irradiation has a deep warming effect and is used for indolent inflammatory diseases.
Electro-, magneto-, and ultrasound therapy are used to improve blood circulation.
Laser therapy has a pronounced repair and regeneration effect, stimulates cellular immunity, but is not used during pregnancy.
Electric or magnetic fields are prescribed for anti-inflammatory and decongestant purposes.
Natural factors in the form of mineral waters and mud are used in the treatment of many gynecological pathologies, since the mineral composition and biologically active substances have a powerful beneficial effect on the entire body.
Thermal procedures in the form of paraffin and ozokerite treatment can cope with pain syndrome, as well as stimulate the hormonal function of the ovaries.
Treatment sessions are carried out both transcutaneously, that is, through the skin, and by the cavity method.
Through the skin, the procedure is carried out by affecting the abdomen, lower back, inner thighs, and perineum. The abdominal technique is performed transvaginally or transrectally. Sessions are prescribed from days 5-7 of the menstrual cycle, which is associated with ovulation.
Massage is used to improve blood circulation and normalize muscle tone. During pregnancy, due to the increasing load on the spine, women are often bothered by pain in the cervical-collar region and back. In this situation, it is possible to prescribe a massage to these departments.
In the postpartum period, massage improves the tone of the uterus, helping it restore its previous size in a short time, and restore the tone of the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall. Also, in the early postpartum stage, it is recommended to massage the breasts before feeding to increase lactation.
I consider it necessary to touch upon gynecological massage. This separate technique of influencing the female reproductive system is performed with the aim of improving blood circulation, increasing sexual desire, softening and stretching adhesions, normalizing hormonal levels, menstrual function, increasing metabolism, increasing the possibility of pregnancy, and normalizing the psycho-emotional background. This type of influence has an important function, but at the moment, for some reason, it is rarely used; treatment is carried out by a gynecologist or independently (after training by a doctor).
Head of the physiotherapy department Evgenia Alekseevna Tsymbalova
Other drugs for electrophoresis for osteochondrosis
The electrophoresis procedure for osteochondrosis at the Yusupov Hospital is carried out using the following substances:
- aminophylline – an anesthetic that accelerates local blood circulation and improves the nutrition of cartilage tissue;
- magnesium sulfate or urea - which have antispasmodic, sedative, anticonvulsant and diuretic properties. Thanks to the use of urea, swelling is eliminated, its further occurrence is prevented, trophism and transmission of nerve impulses are improved;
- lidase - a preparation containing a special enzyme - hyaluronidase, which increases tissue permeability and facilitates the movement of fluid in the joints, resulting in increased mobility;
- apifor - a drug with bee venom that has anti-inflammatory, local irritant and analgesic effects;
- Shilajit solution is a natural remedy that has a pronounced anti-inflammatory, regenerative and anti-edematous effect. Thanks to this substance, pain is eliminated, tissue regeneration is stimulated, and their functions are normalized;
- Karipain – which has a regenerating effect in damaged intervertebral discs;
- humisol - a preparation with sea medicinal mud that has an anti-inflammatory effect, promotes the activation of regenerative processes in damaged tissues, as well as increasing the nonspecific resistance of the body.
The electrophoresis procedure with novocaine or any other drug prescribed by the attending physician can be performed at affordable prices in the rehabilitation clinic of the Yusupov Hospital. Our highly qualified specialists will select the most effective treatment regimen that will allow you to forget about the disease in a short time and forever.
You can ask all your questions and make an appointment with a doctor by phone or online on the Yusupov Hospital website.
Drugs used
To carry out electrophoresis for osteochondrosis, the following drugs may be prescribed.
Novocain . This is the most popular medication for iontophoresis. It relieves pain that appears in the intervertebral discs. To enhance the effect of the procedure, a massage is prescribed. The simultaneous effect of therapy and manual actions helps to quickly get rid of pain. If you add muscle relaxants, the treatment result becomes more effective.
Eufillin . This is also a pain reliever, it is used when there are signs of circulatory problems in the brain. The use of the drug leads to improved blood circulation, saturation of tissues with oxygen, and pain relief.
A solution of magnesium sulfate (magnesium sulfate) or urea. The procedure calms, relieves cramps and spasms, improves sleep, and swelling subsides. Nerve impulses are transmitted better, and a diuretic effect is observed.
Lidaza . Tissue permeability increases, fluids move more freely in the space between different tissues. The result is improved joint activity. Lidaza especially helps in the presence of degenerative pathologies in the spine.
Apifor. This is an anti-inflammatory agent based on bee venom. The drug relieves pain and improves immunity. For electrophoresis for osteochondrosis, the medication is added to distilled water. Sometimes there may be side effects, such as increased body temperature, swelling, itching, redness, and minor pain. These symptoms persist for up to three days after the procedure.
Mumiyo . This natural remedy relieves inflammation, regenerates, eliminates swelling, pain goes away, damaged tissues are restored, beginning to function like a healthy person. Shilajit is introduced simultaneously from both poles of the device. Since most of the particles have a positive charge, the mummy enters through the anode into the most affected area. The mumiyo reaches a place with less pathology through the cathode.
Karipain . This is a new medication intended specifically for the treatment of osteochondrosis. It is of plant origin, made from papaya. Electrophoresis using it has an impressive regenerating effect in damaged intervertebral discs.
Humisol . The medicine is made from medicinal mud from the bottom of the sea. The medicine relieves pain, relieves inflammation, and regenerates tissue.
Some other drugs are also used, but much less frequently.