What are the main working types of low-frequency therapeutic devices?

"Low-frequency therapeutic device is a very common medical device product. Its working principle is to use low-frequency current below 1kHz, and pass the current through human tissue to cause electrochemical and/or electrophysiological reactions in the human body. Today we will share several types of low-frequency therapeutic devices.

In medicine, pulse currents with a frequency below 1000Hz are called low-frequency currents or low-frequency pulse currents. The method of applying low-frequency pulse currents to the human body to treat diseases is called low-frequency electrotherapy. At present, in the physical therapy industry, low-frequency electrotherapy is mainly divided into neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy (NMES), transcutaneous nerve electrical stimulation therapy (TENS), functional electrical stimulation therapy (FES), traditional Chinese medicine electroacupuncture therapy (EA) and traditional Chinese medicine flat therapy.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy (NMES)

Also known as electric gymnastics therapy, is a method of using low-frequency pulse currents to stimulate nerves or muscles to produce contractions to achieve therapeutic effects. Stimulating motor nerves can cause greater recruitment activities, activate more muscle fibers, cause muscle contraction, and enhance muscle strength; stimulating denervated muscles can maintain muscle performance and quality, which is conducive to the recovery of motor function. After electrical stimulation, muscles contract rhythmically. The pump effect of muscle contraction can enhance muscle blood circulation, reduce edema, prevent muscle atrophy, and prevent fibrosis, sclerosis, and spasm; when stimulating central paralyzed muscles, muscle contraction can input information impulses of skin sensation, motor sensation, and proprioception to the central nervous system, promote the recovery of central motor control function and the reconstruction of normal movement patterns; stimulating smooth muscles can increase smooth muscle tension and exercise muscles.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy (TENS)

Also known as peripheral nerve thick fiber electrical stimulation therapy, it is a non-destructive treatment method mainly for the treatment of pain. The instrument generates a continuous, balanced bidirectional waveform, generally a deformed square wave. The frequency is generally 1~150Hz, and the pulse width is 0.04~0.5ms adjustable (for reference only).

Functional electrical stimulation (FES)

Use a low-frequency pulse current of a certain intensity to stimulate one or more groups of muscles through a pre-designed program, induce muscle movement or simulate muscle autonomous movement, so as to achieve the purpose of improving or restoring the function of the stimulated muscles or muscle groups. The frequency is generally 1~100Hz, the power-on/power-off ratio of the pulse wave is mostly between 1:1~1:3, the wave rise/wave fall is usually 1~2s, the surface electrode current intensity is generally 0~100mA, and the muscle electrode current intensity is generally 0~20mA (for reference only).

Chinese electroacupuncture therapy (EA)

It refers to the use of a certain amplitude of current on the basis of the filiform needle, so that on the basis of the original filiform needle stimulation, different amplitudes of electrical stimulation are added to replace the artificial mechanical oscillation generated by continuous needle movement by hand, so that the body is in a more continuous state of stimulation, thereby improving the efficacy. Its working principle refers to the sudden change of voltage and current in a very short time, that is, the sudden change of electricity constitutes an electrical pulse. Because the pulse electricity produces an electrical physiological effect on the body, the needle sensation is maintained for a longer time.

TCM Daoping Therapy

Also known as meridian stimulation Daoping therapy, it is based on the meridian theory of TCM and combined with the modern bio-electronic motion balance theory. Through electrodes in direct contact with the patient, a high-voltage, low-frequency pulse electrical signal of not less than 1500V peak value is applied to the acupuncture points or specific parts of the body surface in a non-invasive manner, and the lesion area and the corresponding meridian acupuncture points are transmitted to form a strong current loop in the body, and super-strong stimulation and superconducting activation are performed to promote the orderly movement of free electrons in the human body, so that the conduction of the pathological meridians in the body is transformed from imbalance to balance, so as to achieve the purpose of dredging the meridians and curing the disease.