Phonophoresis - a type of ultrasound therapy

If the introduction of drugs into the human body by means of an electric field (electrophoresis) was invented in the early 19th century and has been successfully used to this day, phonophoresis was invented more than a hundred years later. Today, both methods are very popular, as they are combined with additional exposure to physical therapy.

Phonophoresis is a method of introducing drugs into the human body using ultrasound. This provides a combination of physical effects on the ultrasound and pharmacological effects (drug) with drug.

Ultrasound facilitates the penetration of the drug into the skin. Here, the drug is absorbed into the tiny blood vessels (capillaries) that carry it to organs and tissues, which is delivered directly into the cell.

During the procedure fonoforeza uses high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations (800-3000 kHz) of low intensity. At the same time, the higher the frequency of the ultrasonic vibrations, the shallower the ultrasound penetrates - it is this property allows its use for therapeutic purposes. It has the meaning and the acoustic properties of tissue (their ability to absorb ultrasound). Best Acoustics in borderline tissues (of adjacent tissues with different acoustics) - this feature is also used in phonophoresis: leather borders with subcutaneous fat, which has different acoustic properties. In diagnostics (ultrasound) are used differences in the acoustic properties of healthy and diseased tissue.

To conduct fonoforeza domestic industry produced machines UST different models.

Most often fonoforez used to treat inflammation of the muscles, tendons, ligaments and other soft tissues. Sometimes it is also used for the relief of pain. The most common indications for phonophoresis:

• Tendonitis;
• Bursitis;
• Adhesive capsulitis (also called "frozen shoulder syndrome");
• Arthritis.

During phonophoresis commonly used anti-inflammatory drugs; most cases - hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, salicylates. Lidocaine, a local anesthetic, sometimes also used during phonophoresis. Phonophoresis allows you to reduce the dose of drugs used, apply them more accurately, and to accelerate their action. This treatment has been used for several decades, and scientists are still arguing about its effectiveness. Some researchers say that in many cases there is a placebo effect and that ultrasound does not help the drug to penetrate the skin more deeply than it does without the influence of ultrasound. Nevertheless, phonophoresis still used in many hospitals.

As ultrasound affects human tissue

Ultrasound stimulates metabolic processes in cells of tissues by altering cell membrane permeability of substances - participants of biochemical processes that make up the human metabolism. This leads to the fact that increases the formation of nucleic acids and the cellular uptake of oxygen. Such changes in cellular membranes occur when changing their electrical activity under the influence of ultrasound.

The changes on the cellular level leads to the fact that increases the permeability of blood vessels, so in acute inflammation with severe tissue edema may occur deterioration of the disease (progressive inflammation and edema). The best effect fonoforez has chronic inflammatory processes where inflammation is accompanied by swelling at least so against the background of physiotherapy with phonophoresis inflammatory process rather quickly eliminated. Phonophoresis also has the ability to shoot spasms of smooth muscles of internal organs and blood vessel walls, that is inflammatory properties.

Influenced fonoforeza scar tissue becomes less dense and visible, less astringent, so phonophoresis is widely used in the postoperative period (he also promotes wound healing) in the treatment of various scars from cosmetic purpose. It improves the condition after the course of phonophoresis and adhesions in the different cavities of the body after surgery and inflammatory processes.

Another feature of ultrasound is that it is able to exert an analgesic effect, however applied for pain of various origins. This is due to the fact that when there is Phonophoresis inhibition of pain impulses along nerve pathways. During the therapeutic effects of ultrasound on the organism activates the endocrine organs: increases in blood insulin and glucocorticoids.

Overall fonoforez has both positive effects on the local tissues and common recreation, increasing the overall immune system and regenerative capacity of tissues.

To show and procedures are contraindicated fonoforeza

Phonophoresis held:

• with injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system, including the spinal column;
• in various diseases involving inflammation and pain, such as radiculitis, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, neuralgia, neuritis sensory nerves (such as trigeminal neuralgia);
• in various lesions of the peripheral nervous system: the effects of injury, trauma, inflammation of motor nerves (such as neuritis of the facial nerve);
• in some diseases of internal organs, such as gastric ulcer and duodenal duodenum (no bleeding), chronic cholecystitis Cholecystitis - heredity plays a role? , Chronic constipation, inflammatory diseases of bronchopulmonary system, gynecological, eye diseases, diseases of the upper respiratory tract;
• at the scars on the skin, surgical wounds and scar-adhesive processes of the internal organs.

Phonophoresis contraindicated in all acute processes (which could further aggravate the process), blood diseases, benign and malignant tumors (is stimulation of growth), as well as in severe diseases of internal organs.

Phonophoresis in cosmetology

In cosmetology fonoforez used for skin rejuvenation Five tips for skin rejuvenation: how to cheat age . It promotes rapid regeneration of cells, opens pores, improves blood circulation and gives skin firmness and elasticity, reduces wrinkles. After the procedure, the skin cells begin to better absorb oxygen. Phonophoresis can also be used to normalize oily skin and cellulite Cellulite   - Usually in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures.

During fonoforeza person feels little vibration. The procedure takes an average of 10-30 minutes. Exactly how many procedures will need - depending on the skin condition of the individual. Noticeable results appear, usually after five treatments.

Galina Romanenko

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