In what cases is electrophoresis prescribed for children and what are the benefits of such procedures?

Treatment of a child of any age should not only be effective, but also gentle. The use of drugs should not cause pain or discomfort. Unfortunately, it often happens that powerful medications in the form of tablets can provoke pathological changes in the stomach and intestines.

Children's Medical Center On Clinic Baby offers the procedure of medicinal electrophoresis for children of any age. The essence of the method is that the medicine enters the body through the skin under the influence of direct current.

Operating principle

Electrophoresis is the movement in an electric field of charged ions capable of transporting various particles in a liquid or vapor medium. The operating principle is as follows. Electrode pads wrapped in a cloth impregnated with a drug are placed on the dermis. Due to the influence of current, drug solutions disintegrate into ions, forming hydrophilic charged complexes, which, penetrating into biological tissues, have a therapeutic effect. Most of them linger in the skin and exhibit a local therapeutic effect.

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The remaining part, along with the flow of blood and lymph, is distributed throughout the body. Positively charged particles have analgesic, calming, anti-inflammatory and dehydrating effects. Negative ones normalize metabolic processes, relax, dilate blood vessels. In addition, electrophoresis has a slight warming effect.

Regularity of electrophoresis

Physiotherapy for myopia in children should be carried out intermittently. Usually, ophthalmologists prescribe hardware treatment courses, which should be repeated after 3-6 months. If you undergo the procedure more often, it will not give the desired effect. The eyes may become accustomed to the effects of the current and the drug. Subsequent sessions will be ineffective, and myopia in children will continue to progress.

If electrophoresis has been prescribed, it is very important to follow the rules of hygiene. Ophthalmologists advise regularly performing eye exercises. In some cases, hardware therapy is carried out in parallel with neck massage. This stimulates general blood circulation and improves visual acuity. Physiotherapy in children can be combined with the use of eye drops and vitamin complexes.

Indications and contraindications

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Why is electrophoresis prescribed to children? This procedure copes well with the residual effects of a cold and is often recommended by children's doctors during the recovery period. It is also prescribed for the treatment of the following pathological conditions:

Birth injuries.
Anomalies and congenital heart defects.
Burns.
Musculoskeletal disorders.
Hyper- or hypotonicity of muscles.
To reduce pain in various ailments.
ENT diseases.
Neurological disorders.
Diathesis.
Eye diseases.

In addition, it is used when it is necessary to direct the action of the drug directly to the center of inflammation.

How often can electrophoresis be performed on a child? Any physiotherapeutic treatment is prescribed no more than four times a year. The interval between courses must be at least three months.

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This procedure is contraindicated in children with:

skin damage at the site where the electrodes are applied;
pustules;
dermatitis;
high temperature;
renal and heart failure;
tumors;
bronchial asthma in the acute stage;
acute inflammatory process;
bleeding disorders and risk of bleeding;
allergic manifestations to medications recommended for the electrophoresis procedure.

Benefits of massage

Massage is a universal physiotherapeutic method that can be used to correct various health problems in children from the first month of life. Main indications for it:

Hip dysplasia. With the help of various movements (stroking, rubbing, felting) you can achieve complete restoration of the normal structure of the joints
Torticollis. Cervical massage eliminates spasm of the deltoid muscle and “returns” the vertebrae to their place
Hypotrophy and rickets. Thanks to the effect, muscles become stronger and grow more actively
Umbilical hernia. Massage helps strengthen the abdominal muscles, which helps heal the hernia. Along with this, intestinal spasms are eliminated.
Respiratory diseases. Special techniques make it possible to facilitate the discharge of sputum during bronchitis and pneumonia.
Hypo- and hypertonicity. When muscle tension is increased, a relaxing massage is performed, and when muscle tone decreases, a stimulating massage is performed.

Advantages and disadvantages

Quite often, medicinal electrophoresis is prescribed to children. What it is? This is the simultaneous effect of electric current and a drug on the body. The use of this physiotherapeutic method gives a good effect.

Advantages of electrophoresis:

there is no feeling of discomfort;
there is no risk of developing allergic or other adverse reactions of a local or general nature;
the duration of the therapeutic effect is from one day to twenty;
it is possible to administer the medication directly to the affected area, bypassing the vascular system and gastrointestinal tract;
Babies older than one year usually tolerate this procedure well.

Among the disadvantages it should be noted:

the presence of contraindications for a particular individual;
Not all medications can be administered using this method.

Electrophoresis for newborns and infants: what you need to know

Often, for various diseases, newborns and infants are prescribed various physiotherapeutic procedures. These include electrophoresis. It consists of introducing all kinds of medications into the child’s body using direct electric current. The procedure is quite simple, but mothers and fathers should know in what cases it is prescribed to the child, whether there are contraindications, and how it is carried out.

Features of the action of electric current in young patients

What benefits does electrophoresis give to children? Treatment with this technique allows you to partially avoid taking oral or injection medications.

Let's consider some features of the child's body:

Morphofunctional immaturity of the dermis - a thin outer layer. It contains a small number of cellular layers, which are loosely associated with a thin acellular layer that separates the connective tissue from the endothelium (basement membrane).
In babies under four months of age, sweat glands are undeveloped, and intradermal vessels are prone to dilation.
The skin has a high intensity of molecular interaction with water, that is, it has low resistance to electric current and absorbs substances at a high speed.
Chemical and temperature regulation is not sufficiently developed, so the electrophoresis procedure is carried out carefully.

During the period of manipulation, the duration of which depends on age, monitoring of the child’s condition by both doctors and parents is necessary.

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Under the influence of current, the following effects are observed:

lymphatic drainage;
hormone-regulating;
vasodilator;
lymphatic drainage;
anti-inflammatory;
muscle relaxant;
immunostimulating.

Physiotherapy for childhood myopia

To correct myopia, glasses and contact lenses are used. Some people approach treatment differently - they choose laser vision correction. Such operations are usually not performed in children. Conservative treatment is most often prescribed. Ophthalmologists usually recommend a course of physical therapy using electrophoresis.

Medicines used for physiotherapy

As already mentioned, electrophoresis is often prescribed to children. What it is? This is one of the safe and effective methods of administering medications for many ailments. It is simple to perform, but requires an understanding of some physical laws and the pharmacological action of the drugs used. Using an electric current, various medications are administered, while the systemic effect on the child’s body is significantly reduced. The maximum concentration of the active substance is created in the affected area. The choice of drug depends on the existing diseases:

Musculoskeletal system and internal organs with pain syndrome - NSAIDs and antispasmodics: “Papaverine”, “Metamizole sodium”, “Procaine”, “Papaverine”
Consequences of traumatic brain injuries and neuroinfections in a child - electrophoresis with Lidase, Nicotinic acid, Piracetam, Iodine, Magnesium sulfate.

Damage to the central nervous system - “Drotaverine”, “Magnesium sulfate”, “Ascorbic acid”, “Aminophylline”, “Nicotinic acid”, i.e. medications that have a dehydrating and vasodilating effect, as well as improving venous outflow.
Polyneuropathy and neuritis - anticholinsterase agents and vitamins: “Proserin”, “Pyridoxine hydrochloride”, “Tocopherol acetate”.
Asthenic syndrome – adaptogens: “Aloe extract”, “Caffeine”.
Inflammatory process of antibacterial nature - antibiotics: Erythromycin, Ampicillin.

The specialist individually selects the required concentration of the solution, the current strength, and the duration of the manipulation.

Does electrophoresis help children? The answer to this question is yes. This technique is safe, allows you to create a high concentration of the active substance in the pathological focus, and gives a quick and lasting effect. In addition, this physiotherapeutic procedure is available in almost all healthcare institutions free of charge.

Other drugs

In addition to procedures with aminophylline, electrophoresis with magnesia, dibazole, nicotinic acid and calcium is often prescribed in pediatrics. Let's look at what these drugs are used for.

Magnesia is a magnesium salt of sulfuric acid that has antispasmodic, relaxing, vasodilating, sedative, laxative and other effects. To carry out electrophoresis for children, a 20% magnesium solution is used. The procedure is used to improve blood circulation, relax muscles and relieve nervous tension, as well as to improve sputum discharge during bronchitis.

Dibazole is a medicine whose active ingredient is bendazole. It promotes:

relieving spasms
relaxation of smooth muscles
decrease in pressure
improve blood flow
activation of interneuronal signaling in the spinal cord
boost immunity

Procedures with it are prescribed for infants to treat birth injuries, neurological disorders and muscle hypertonicity.

Nicotinic acid in ampoules is a synthetic analogue of vitamin PP, the main properties of which are improving carbohydrate metabolism, accelerating tissue regeneration and vasodilation.

Electrophoresis is most often carried out with two drugs - aminophylline and nicotinic acid. It helps with impaired muscle tone, hydrocephalus and injuries received during childbirth.

Procedures with calcium in the form of gluconate or chloride are indicated for children with muscle dystrophy, gingivitis (in combination with nicotinic acid and vitamin C), and bone nuclei in the hip joints.

Physiotherapy methods

The essence of electrophoresis is as follows. With its help, various medications are introduced into the child’s body, which are delivered directly to the affected area. For this purpose, a minimal current discharge is used so as not to cause harm or provoke pain.

The following types of electrophoresis are known:

Cavitary – into the rectum, stomach, bladder, i.e. a medicine and an electrode with a “plus” sign are injected into the hollow organs, and an electrode with a “minus” sign is placed on the surface. This method is effective for pathologies of the pelvic and intestinal organs.
Bath method - the necessary medicine in the form of a solution is poured into a container with electrodes and the diseased area of the body, for example, a lower or upper limb, is immersed in it.
Interstitial - initially the patient is given the medication orally or intravenously, and then electrodes are applied to the affected area. This technique is mainly used for diseases of the respiratory system - laryngitis, bronchitis.

Other reasons for negative reactions

As a rule, side effects that occur after the procedure are associated with individual intolerance to the administered drug or electric current. You should inform your doctor about this in advance, otherwise the harm from such a procedure will be much greater than the expected benefit. An allergic reaction to the drug can be quite serious. Electric eye intolerance most often manifests itself in the appearance of a skin rash. Sometimes the presence of such a reaction is revealed after the procedure. In this case, it is necessary to stop the sessions and choose another method of treatment. In young children, electrophoresis can cause various reactions, including becoming more nervous, irritable, and starting to cry. This may be due not so much to the procedure itself, but to the unusual, frightening environment. But in any case, if such a reaction occurs, it is better to consult a doctor about the advisability of further procedures. Sometimes electrophoresis can cause pain after the procedure. But this phenomenon is also usually associated with intolerance to the drug. Or with an exacerbation of the disease, which may be provoked by the procedure. In such a case, a doctor’s consultation is also necessary. In general, despite such individual manifestations, electrophoresis is one of the safest and least traumatic methods of treatment and prevention of many diseases, injuries and developmental pathologies. To minimize any possible adverse effects, it is necessary to follow the recommendations of a doctor, the rules for safe handling of electrical appliances and hygiene requirements.

Techniques used in childhood

The methods listed above are also used in children. In addition, there are several methods that are primarily used in young patients:

Galvanic collar according to Shcherbakov - approved for children from two years old. The so-called “shawl” electrode is placed in the collar area. Another, small one, is applied to the area of the lumbosacral spine. Initially, the current strength is no more than three, then it is gradually increased to ten to twelve amperes. The duration of the first two sessions is no more than four minutes. Subsequently, the time increases to fifteen minutes. The course of treatment consists of a maximum of twelve manipulations.
According to Levin - used for hyperkinesis of the limbs and hypertonicity. Such conditions are characteristic of organic brain lesions. Bifurcated electrodes are placed on the fingers of the lower and upper extremities. After fifteen minutes, change the polarity on the arms and legs.
In case of joint pathology (hip dysplasia), thanks to electrophoresis, the correct formation of joint tissues occurs. As a result, the range of motion in the lower extremities is restored.
According to Vermeule - for newborns and infants. One electrode is placed at the level of the second to tenth thoracic vertebrae, the second - on the anterior part of the abdominal wall. The average procedure time is about ten minutes.
Nasal – it is difficult to perform this procedure in children and preschoolers, since they categorically refuse to introduce foreign objects into the nasal cavity. Immediately before the electrophoresis procedure, the child’s nose is washed with saline solution or ordinary boiled water. A cotton swab soaked in a solution of novocaine or calcium chloride is inserted into the nasal passages. The ends of the turunda are connected to the first electrode above the upper lip, the second is placed on the back of the neck. The procedure lasts no more than twenty minutes.
According to Kellat-Zmanovsky - most often used for stuttering and spastic dysarthria. Two-blade electrodes are placed on the side of the head. They supply current from three to seven amperes. The duration of the procedure is a minimum of seven and a maximum of fifteen minutes.
According to Bourguignon - indicated for neurological anomalies localized inside the skull, traumatic and ischemic lesions of the nervous system, as well as vegetative-vascular dystonia. One electrode (bifurcated) is placed on the closed eyes, and the second - in the form of a plate - on the back of the neck.

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The current is gradually added to the child during electrophoresis. When tingling occurs, they stop giving it. The duration of the manipulation is from ten to fifteen minutes. Do it every other day or daily. The course of treatment is a minimum of ten and a maximum of twenty procedures.

How is electrophoresis performed?

The procedure does not require special preparation. As a rule, a course of 10-15 sessions is prescribed.

The treatment is carried out in a special room and takes no more than 15-20 minutes. The doctor attaches current-conducting electrodes with a cloth attachment soaked in a medicinal solution to the desired area, fixes them and connects them to a current source. The force of influence increases smoothly, the doctor controls the sensations of the little patient. In addition to galvanic, pulsating and low-frequency currents are also used. The choice of regimen depends on the disease. Afterwards, your child can return to normal activities. No special recommendations are required.

What types of electrodes are there?

There is a wide variety of these products:

The most common are disposable paper ones. They are equipped with hydrophilic gaskets, due to which the active substance of the medication penetrates into the dermis through them. Such medical products most often consist of two plates, but more complex options are also available. Immediately before the manipulation, they are generously soaked with saline solution, water or medicine. The advantage of disposable electrodes is the ability to give them any shape for ease of application to different parts of the body.
Disposable cavity electrodes for electrophoresis are designed for carrying out the procedure inside cavities. They are sterile and do not require any additional processing.
Reusable medical products are practical, but require sterilization. They are made of cotton fabric, which has good electrical conductivity and resistance to aggressive acids and alkalis. The material is folded into several layers, between them there are carbon-fabric electrodes through which current is supplied.
Special conductive elements are sewn into the rubber plates, making them strong and reliable. They are included in many modern physiotherapy devices.
Metal electrodes are used quite rarely nowadays. Copper or lead are most often used to make them.
You can also make hydrophilic pads yourself. To do this, take natural fabric, for example, cotton or flannel, fold it in several layers so that the thickness is no more than ten millimeters and moisten it with saline solution or water. The electrode is placed on the gasket.

The selection of these products should be approached responsibly and it is advisable to consult with a specialist before purchasing.

How effective is this treatment method?

To understand the effectiveness of electrophoresis, it is important to know exactly what effect it has on the body. It will be comprehensive. The medicinal substance, entering the subcutaneous tissue, causes a local effect, entering into metabolic reactions. Accumulating in a strictly defined area of the body, the active substance forms a so-called depot there, from where it will then slowly spread through the blood or lymph flow, affecting the entire body as a whole. This effect is called humoral or systemic. And the electric current itself has a positive effect on tissues and the nervous system. Irritation of skin receptors helps to change many processes occurring in tissues, normalizing them and causing not only positive changes in them, but also the general reaction of the body. If we talk about what specific effects electrophoresis causes, we can name the following: • helps reduce the inflammatory process by delivering the medicine directly to the damaged tissue or source of inflammation; • sanitizes tissue if inflammation is caused by microbial infection; • relieves swelling by normalizing lymph flow; • relieves pain, both due to the delivery of the appropriate drug and due to the reduction of inflammation or swelling, which can provoke pain; • dilates blood and lymphatic vessels, allowing tissues to receive sufficient quantities of nutrients and oxygen, as well as remove metabolic products; • relieves muscle spasms, including smooth muscles of internal organs, ensuring normal blood circulation; • normalizes the functioning of the endocrine glands. However, the effectiveness of a procedure such as electrophoresis will not be the same in all patients. All this must be taken into account by the doctor when prescribing electrophoresis to the patient. There are a number of principles, the observance of which will make the treatment effective: • the greatest effect is obtained by using solutions with a low concentration and a high degree of purity; • no more than 10% of the substance applied to the pad enters the body; • the amount of the administered substance directly depends on the amount of electricity passing through the tissue, as well as on the size of the molecules and the charge of the ions; • the older the patient, the less permeable his skin is to drugs; • more ions enter through the mucous membranes than through the skin; • not all areas of the skin are suitable for electrophoresis.

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Model overview

To carry out physiotherapeutic treatment at home, you need to purchase an electrophoresis device. It is advisable to check with your doctor which manufacturer is best to buy the device. The first procedure is performed in the presence of a nurse. In addition, you need to learn how to select and prepare solutions for manipulation. There is a large selection of electrophoresis devices on the market. Let's look at some of them:

“Potok-1” is mainly used in medical organizations involved in rehabilitation.
“Radius-01” is a single-channel portable device, like the previous one, which combines several physiotherapeutic methods: diadynamic therapy, galvanization, amplipulse therapy and medicinal electrophoresis. It is widely used in sanatorium and cosmetology institutions, as well as in dentistry and at home.
"Refton-01-FS" is a device that combines several functions: fluctuarization, diadynamic therapy, electrophoresis, electrical stimulation and amplipulse therapy. The electrophoresis procedure can be performed on a child at his bedside.
"Elfor" is a portable device that is used both at home and in healthcare institutions.

Thus, physiotherapy is performed using different devices. Remember that the decision about the need for this manipulation is made by your child’s attending doctor.

Combination of vaccinations and electrophoresis

According to the international vaccination calendar, a child should receive a vaccine on a certain day of his life, but for various diseases (in the acute phase or remission), vaccination should be postponed, having first discussed it with the pediatrician. Vaccinations are a mandatory procedure in childhood, as this guarantees the child’s protection from generalized diseases, the result of which can be the most tragic. Today, the level of risk and degree of benefit from vaccinations is very difficult to assess independently. There are motivated opinions “FOR” and “AGAINST”; the decision on the advisability of vaccinations apparently falls on the shoulders of parents. Electrophoresis with various medicinal substances is prescribed in a course to achieve the effectiveness of treatment, and therefore vaccinations can coincide in time with the course of electrophoresis. When talking with a pediatrician, every mother will be able to clarify that there are no negative consequences when combining a course of physiotherapeutic procedures and vaccinations. However, on the day of vaccination, electrophoresis should not be performed, or vaccination can be postponed after a course of procedures. The parallel combination of all procedures and vaccinations can negatively affect the child’s health, and therefore the pediatrician usually advises vaccination after completion of all medical procedures.

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It is not recommended for infants to walk after electrophoresis. Electrophoresis, as mentioned above, is an absolutely safe and painless method, but the weakened and unprotected body of an infant can be susceptible to various aggressive agents, and therefore long walks are not recommended. It is not forbidden to walk with the child a few hours after the end of the procedure. In addition to electrophoresis, infants and older children can be prescribed therapeutic massage; a clear positive effect will be observed with hip dysplasia and hypertonicity of the muscular system. After the introduction of medicinal substances that dilate blood vessels and improve blood circulation, an additional massage session will help relax the muscle fibers and improve metabolism in them. After combining electrophoresis of medicinal substances and massage, the hypertonicity of the muscular system will decrease, and the child will be able to fully turn his head, roll over from his tummy to his back, and step with his full foot, without fear of developing pathological complications.