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Transcranial electrical stimulation or TES therapy is a method of therapeutic transcranial impact of pulsed currents on the human brain. This method was developed taking into account all the foundations of evidence-based classical medicine, so it is quite widely used and recognized.
TES-therapy is based on the fact that special electrodes are fixed on the patient’s head, through which a weak current is supplied. With such an impact, an electric current is able to have a protective effect on all functions of the brain and change its bioelectrical activity.
The mechanism of treatment with transcranial electrical stimulation
Therapeutic therapeutic effect of TES-therapy is based on the possibility of stimulating the processes of endorphin production in the human brain. During the procedure, the most sensitive and anti-pain structures in the brain are activated due to the ability of currents to penetrate soft tissues and bones.
Under the influence of transcranial currents, the production of endorphins is activated, they begin to concentrate in the blood, brain and cerebrospinal fluid. The hormone endorphin is able to normalize various disorders in the human body, while maintaining the natural course of normal processes without interfering with them. In addition, due to the increased production of endorphins, the patient does not experience pain during the procedure, which is explained by the ability of the hormone to relieve pain.
The antidepressant effect of transcranial electrical stimulation is achieved by stabilizing the psycho-neurological state of the patient, which also leads to a positive anti-stress effect, normalizes the patient’s sleep, improves his mood and increases efficiency. Such a physiotherapy technique accelerates the healing of skin and mucous membranes in the body, helps the processes of regeneration of peripheral nerve fibers and hepatic parenchyma cells. TES-therapy stimulates the immune system, slows down the growth of various (including malignant) neoplasms, and normalizes the physiological status in the human body.
The effect of the transcranial electrical stimulation procedure can be maintained in the body for several days, which gradually allows you to train the defense system. Thus, this technique teaches the brain to independently actively produce endorphins, while no addiction occurs during the procedure.
Transcranial electrical stimulation can be combined with therapies such as:
- physiotherapy;
- balneological treatment;
- manual therapy;
- drug treatment.
It is impossible to combine TES-therapy with reflexotherapy and morphine-like analgesics. The use of this technique systematically helps to reduce the consumption of pharmaceuticals, including hormonal drugs, analgesics, and antidepressants with immunomodulators. According to the latest research, transcranial electrical stimulation is highly effective in all kinds of neurological pathologies, reducing their symptoms by 90%.
The main indications and contraindications of the technique
There are quite a few areas of application for transcranial electrical stimulation. The most popular technique turned out to be for a variety of neurological and psychiatric pathological conditions, for example, with:
- depression, stressful conditions, sleep disturbances;
- hyperactivity, increased fatigue of the body, impaired attention;
- increased anxiety, chronic fatigue syndrome;
- climacteric neurosis, headaches of various origins;
- violations of autonomic regulation, meteotropic reactions;
- orofacial, phantom pains and pains in oncology;
- diseases of the sciatic nerves, as well as inflammatory processes of the trigeminal nerves;
- pain syndromes accompanying osteochondrosis, neuralgia, radiculitis;
- dyscirculatory encephalopathy, Parkinson’s disease;
- movement disorders after a stroke.
Among other pathological features that transcranial electrical stimulation can help to combat, there are:
- ischemic heart disease;
- pain in the eyes, decreased vision, sensorineural hearing loss;
- various kinds of skin injuries and ulcers, including those that form in the postoperative period, as well as neurodermatitis, eczema, seborrhea (except for the places where the electrodes are applied);
- low immunity;
- the occurrence of neoplasms (except for the brain);
- toxicosis, allergies, inflammatory processes, disturbances in the human hormonal background;
- endometriosis, osteoarthrosis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, duodenitis and gastritis;
- alcoholism and drug addiction.
TES-therapy is also widely used in sports, since its effect significantly increases the effectiveness of training. Such a technique helps athletes endure peak loads, restore their own strength, and improve performance.
Among the main contraindications for use in the treatment of transcranial electrical stimulation, experts distinguish the presence of epileptic seizures or convulsions, arterial hypertension, hypertensive crisis, hyperthyroidism, angina attacks that occur, the presence of head and brain injuries and the occurrence of neoplasms in the brain. In addition, it is impossible to carry out such therapy for thalamic pain, infections of the central nervous system, exacerbated mental illness, hydrocephalus, atrial fibrillation, under the age of 5 years and with an implanted pacemaker.
Methodology for conducting TES-therapy
Before using transcranial electrical stimulation for the treatment of any disease, it is necessary to consult a physiotherapist and a neuropathologist. You can not perform therapy immediately after eating, the interval between eating and the session should be at least two hours.
During TES therapy, the patient needs to lie down or sit, and the specialist places the electrodes on the patient’s forehead, on the back of the head and on the nipples. Before applying the electrodes, the patient’s skin is thoroughly cleaned, checked for damage, formations or rashes.
Ear jewelry should be removed during TES therapy. During the technique, the patient may feel a slight vibration, tingling in the area of application of the electrodes, and may also observe light flickering with his eyes closed. The electrodes do not leave marks on the skin.
To carry out the manipulation, special pulsed low-amplitude currents with a rectangular bipolar pulse shape are used. During the first procedure, the minimum current reading should be used, which should not be increased even if the patient does not have any third-party sensations. In subsequent sessions, the current indicators are gradually increased until the patient begins to feel their presence. If discomfort is detected, the specialist should reduce the supplied current. Gradually, by the end of the procedure, the current strength should be reduced to zero.
The patient should experience the above sensations, but they should not be unpleasant to him. Thus, the optimal current strength is regulated, and if it bears fruit in the form of positive results, then during further sessions the specialist will apply just such a current, without changing it upwards.
If the patient has a pronounced pain syndrome, then such procedures can be carried out several times a day with an interval of at least 4-6 hours. If the pain syndrome does not disappear, the patient is shown an additional medical consultation and examination.
Currents act on the alpha rhythms of the human brain at a frequency of 70-80 hertz, while stimulating the production of endogenous opioid peptides. After passing the session, those who suffer from blood pressure failures are shown a fifteen-minute rest and neck and collar massage. The duration of one procedure of transcranial electrical stimulation is 20 minutes, although with severe pain this time can be increased. The course of therapy, as a rule, includes about 15 sessions. In case of exacerbation of chronic diseases, TES-therapy is aimed at stopping the emerging symptoms, which can be done in 5 procedures. For 1 calendar year, it is permissible to conduct up to 60 sessions, repeating courses every 2-3 months.
Equipment for transcranial electrical stimulation
The TES-therapy technique is widely used today in many countries of the world. For it, special devices have long been invented, each of which is distinguished by its efficiency and a wide range of effects. For example, the Transair series of devices can be used both in clinics and at home. They differ in alphanumeric prefixes in the names and the degree of impact on the body. The simplest is the device Transair-02, applicable in everyday life. Also, Transair-01V devices (two-program and small-sized clinical apparatus), Transair-01C (three-program stationary device), Transair-01P (multiprogram machine) are often used in clinics.
There are other devices as well. The stationary device Magnon is used exclusively in hospitals or clinics, Doctor TES-03 is used at home and does not require electrical outlets, ETRANS manufactures multi-channel devices that can be transferred or used simultaneously for 4 patients at once. MDM devices are also multichannel – MDM-1 is able to carry out therapy for 10 people at once, and MDM-101 – for four people at once.
The therapeutic effect of transcranial electrical stimulation is achieved only if all prescriptions and instructions are observed. Electric currents must act in the area of the human brain, which is why those devices that prescribe the placement of electrodes on the earlobes do not have the desired effect.