The nervous system is one of the most complex structures in the body. Due to it, almost all daily human activities are carried out. It is based on nerve impulses formed in neurons. They are a kind of signals for the commission of an action. Their formation occurs mainly in the dendrites of nerve cells, from where the impulse enters the overlying sections of the central nervous system, is processed and returned to the working organ, which underlies the movement. However, sometimes a failure occurs at the cellular level, and impulses begin to form incorrectly. Because of this, the function of one or more organs may be impaired, which leads to the development of a particular disease. This is especially common in children. Brain diseases are the result of such impulse failure.
In order to eliminate incorrect impulse formation, various methods of influencing the brain have been used for quite a long time. In addition, these methods are often aimed at stimulating neurons to improve their performance. They can be both physiotherapeutic or medicinal, and complex. One of these methods is micropolarization of the brain.children's brains. Reviews of this procedure are increasingly found on the pages of medical journals and websites. What is this procedure?
More about the method
The micropolarization method is an effect on brain cells through a small direct current. For the first time, this procedure was proposed to be used at the Institute of Experimental Medicine. Currently, the largest center in Russia practicing this method is the Bekhterev Institute in St. Petersburg.
The method is based on numerous works of neurophysiologists, which are aimed at studying the biopotentials of the brain, their changes in various conditions and diseases, and reactions to external influences through currents of various strengths and powers.
The procedure is mainly used for the treatment of various organic diseases of the brain (for example, relief of the effects of a stroke), but recently it has been used for he alth purposes.
To exert influence, a current of low strength and frequency (several tens or hundreds of microamps) is used. This value differs significantly from that used in various physiotherapy methods.
When acting on nerve cells, micropolarization of the brain helps to restore normal reactions and metabolic processes, which prevents pathological impulses and has a beneficial effect on cognitive and sensory functions.
There are two subspecies of the method - transcranial and transvertebral micropolarization. Byin essence, they do not differ from each other (the same currents, the same electrodes, the same pathogenetic effect). The only difference lies in the location of the electrodes - in the transcranial method, they are applied to the head area and a specific lobe of the brain for local impact. The transvertebral method uses stimulation of spinal cord neurons and subsequent excitation of overlying brain structures through neural connections.
Procedure details
How is the micropolarization of the brain of children carried out? Reviews of this technique are quite rare, so it is not widely used.
The procedure is not particularly difficult. A special helmet-hat with electrodes located on it is put on the patient's head. It is part of a specialized device "Reamed-Polaris", specially designed for this procedure. The micropolarization method provides for local impact on certain areas of the brain, due to which electrodes can be attached where impulse stimulation is needed.
During the procedure itself, the patient can actively go about their business (communicate, read a book, play). No unpleasantness arises.
The stimulation time is about half an hour. This is the duration of one session, however, in order to see any effect, it is necessary to carry out several procedures. The result is noticeable if the number of sessions required by micropolarization is completed.children's brains. Reviews generally note that treatment success was observed after 8-10 regular treatments.
Some, according to reviews, 5-6 sessions were enough to get the first results, but it all depends on the individual characteristics of the brain.
Where is this technique used?
Such an effect on the brain can be used to treat both adults and children. For babies, it is most preferable, as it allows you to achieve maximum results in the treatment of many serious diseases.
In diseases of the nervous system in a child, micropolarization of the brain is effective for improving the condition with the following problems:
- Developmental delay.
- Incontinence (predominantly nocturnal).
- Degenerative-dystrophic processes.
In adults, transcranial micropolarization of the brain is used for a wider range of diseases, but it has a slightly lower therapeutic effect than in children. The procedure allows you to eliminate the following problems as much as possible:
- The consequences of a stroke.
- Residual effects after traumatic brain injury.
- Changes in brain functioning after poisoning with anticholinergic poisons.
- Aphasia.
- Neuroses and neurosis-like states.
In rare cases, transcranial micropolarization of the brain can be used as a method of stimulating creativity and memory.
As soon as the procedure began to be carried out, they actively tried to use it in the treatment of childhood autism, but this did not workno results. Autistic children did not respond to micropolarization of the brain (only EEG parameters changed, but there were no clinical results).
Clinical effects
How are the effects of micropolarization on the brain manifested? After the procedure, the following effects were noticed:
- In adults, this technique made it possible to reduce the number of operations according to indications in patients with hemorrhagic strokes and TBI (there was a decrease in the hematoma area after a course of 8-10 procedures).
- Many speech disorders (stuttering, burr) after a certain number of sessions became more amenable to correction and disappeared several times faster.
- With the immediate development of a stroke, the regression of the changes caused was faster than with conservative interventions.
- Treatment and diagnostic procedures, together with a course of TMMT, made it possible, if not to return, then to lower the tonal auditory thresholds by several tens of decibels.
- Visual acuity improved after treatment.
The first sign of the effectiveness of the procedure are changes in the electroencephalogram.
The procedure also allows you to restore many motor and mental functions, reduce the incidence of seizures and hyperkinesia, reduce the size of focal lesions and restore the function of some organs (for example, pelvic incontinence and involuntary defecation).
Effects persisted for at least two to three months, after which it was necessarytake the course again.
Features of the current procedure
Due to some complexity of use, this method is not yet very common. Transcranial micropolarization has not yet passed the proper number of controlled studies and does not have a specific base of possible results due to their widest range. In some, after its implementation, there was a significant improvement in memory functions, mental ability; in others, the results were mild or did not appear at all.
As for children, transcranial micropolarization shows satisfactory results in the treatment of mental retardation. Often there are positive changes that appear much earlier than with the use of drug therapy or, for example, hypnosis. In addition to the fact that recovery processes are accelerating, the child becomes more sociable, active and positive.
In the treatment of Down's disease or autism, data has not yet been confirmed. It is not yet fully understood how micropolarization affects brain cells. In many studies, the result was minimal or did not manifest itself at all. However, according to experts, no deterioration was observed after the procedure.
Micropolarization of the brain for children. Consequences
What is the mechanism of action of the procedure in question? The impact is carried out due to a weak current, in terms of power comparable to the biopotentials of the brain. This has a stimulating effect on brain cells. Excitability is regulated and brought to a normal level.
Due to the local action of the current, there are two effects - systemic and local. The latter manifests itself due to the anti-edematous action, anti-inflammatory effect and stimulation of the trophism of the affected areas of the brain.
Systemic action is carried out due to the complex of synapses located between the nerve cells of all parts of the body, as well as due to the interaction of structures and components of the central nervous system that are distant from each other (for example, between different lobes and hemispheres of the brain).
During this process, both the cerebral cortex and deep-lying structures are stimulated, which makes it possible to reduce or, conversely, increase their physiological activity.
The positive effect of the procedure is observed when the neurons adequately respond to the impulse action and, as a result, change their excitability and metabolism.
Due to the fact that the long-term effect of micropolarization persists (for those who were helped by the procedure), it is possible to conduct the next course six months after the first one.
Contraindications to the procedure
Like all therapeutic measures, this technique has some contraindications. In their presence, the development of significant complications is often observed.
Contraindications include the following:
- Increased sensitivity and individualcurrent intolerance.
- Acute skin diseases localized at the electrode site. They are a contraindication to almost all methods of physiotherapy, including micropolarization.
- Increase in body temperature for some time. It may be a sign of a dangerous brain disease, and the impact of current on a diseased organ from the outside will only worsen the course of the disease.
- Diseases of the circulatory system.
- The presence of foreign objects and foreign bodies in the cavity of the cranium or spinal column (especially metal, such as wires or staples for fixing fragments of the processes of the vertebrae).
- Diseases of the cardiovascular system in the stage of decompensation.
- Severe narrowing of cerebral vessels due to atherosclerosis or congenital stenosis, due to which brain cells experience oxygen starvation, while there is a risk of rupture of blood vessels during the procedure with the development of hematoma and hemorrhagic stroke.
- Malignant brain tumors. Micropolarization can cause tumor growth if present (even if it is minimal).
- The patient's violent behavior and neurotic status. It is difficult to record readings in such patients, as they often rip off the electrodes due to their excessive activity.
- Concomitant use of strong psychotropic drugs, as well as some procedures (such as acupuncture, muscle electrical stimulation, etc.).
Don't combine micropolarization with nootropic therapy astaking medications can be replaced by an impulse effect on the cerebral cortex.
Where is this procedure carried out
Over the past ten years, the method of transcranial micropolarization has been increasingly being introduced into practice. Only a few centers specializing in this technique can carry out the considered procedure. What are these institutions and where are they located?
Similar centers are located in cities such as St. Petersburg and Voronezh. In the latter, this procedure can be done in a specialized clinic "Alternative Plus". However, micropolarization has been studied best of all and is being actively introduced into use where it was proposed (Bekhterev Institute in St. Petersburg). The Institute of Medical Rehabilitation "Return" and the Institute of the Human Brain are not far behind in this regard.
Due to the specifics, as well as the staffing of these institutions (almost all employees are from the Bekhterev Institute), it is there that you can carry out the micropolarization procedure, as well as get answers to your questions.
Many other hospitals are trying to use this technique, but due to the limited number of specialists dealing with this problem, widespread implementation is still significant.
The impression of this procedure from those who underwent it
This method of treatment is actively analyzed and discussed at numerous forums devoted to brain diseases. What are the impressions of parents about such a procedure as micropolarization of the brain of children? Reviews on specialized forums are varied - someone liked the procedure, and the effect was well expressed (according to one of the mothers of a disabled child, her son became calmer, the first signs of speech and consciousness began to appear, the number of involuntary inadequate actions decreased).
Others describe the procedure as useless. They did not see any positive effect from it, or it was minimal, and it could be attributed to success in activities with the child, self-healing, or simply a regression of the process.
Note that those who underwent micropolarization of the brain leave both positive and negative reviews. It is precisely because of this that one cannot judge the effectiveness of the procedure, since the results are in the widest range.
The only proven positive effect of micropolarization can be considered an improvement in brain waves recorded on the EEG (electroencephalogram), although in many children with autism this indicator is not effective, since their brain activity is no different from normal.
Is it worth doing this procedure
Does my child need this procedure? Many parents of babies with developmental problems have probably asked a similar question. Most are overcome by doubts, because after reading on the Internet about what micropolarization of the brain is (reviews about this procedure are extremely contradictory), they do notcan determine its effectiveness. However, many decide to conduct it simply out of desperation, trying to help their baby in any way.
Undoubtedly, the choice should always be made in favor of the child. Given that there are those who have had the proper effect of micropolarization (reviews about it in such cases are the best), why not try? This procedure does not cause harm, it will only be a pity for the time and money spent in case of failure.
It should be remembered that each person is individual in nature, and in one person the brain can easily be treated (MRI images will indicate the regression of an organic pathological area), and in another, the diseased organ will not respond to the procedure. This may be due to both the individual sensitivity of neurons to the effects of impulses, and the wrong choice of charge and waves. Most often, this is the main reason for the ineffectiveness of the procedure. Even if micropolarization was carried out, reviews about it will turn out to be negative, since they did not take into account the individual characteristics of the human brain and did not carry out proper diagnostic procedures aimed at determining the minimum indications for exposure.
Now let's talk a little about the cost of the procedure. It is not particularly high (within a thousand or two hundred rubles). Despite this, it should be remembered that the effect almost never appears from one procedure, at least several sessions are required, which will already cost a pretty penny. In addition, consultation is required.a neuropathologist and a psychiatrist to determine possible contraindications to micropolarization, which also costs a lot. However, for the he alth of your own child, no means are a pity. The main thing is to hope that micropolarization will help. A positive attitude is very important in the treatment of any disease.
