Micropolarization of children's brain: reviews. The method of transcranial micro-polarization

The nervous system is one of the most complex structures of the body. Due to it, almost all the daily activities of a person. It is based on nerve impulses formed in neurons. They are some kind of signals for the performance 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 is the basis of the movement. However, sometimes at the cellular level, failure occurs, and impulses start to form incorrectly. Because of this, the function of one or several organs may be impaired, which leads to the development of a particular disease. This is especially common in children. Diseases of the brain are a consequence of this impulse failure.

In order to eliminate the incorrect impulse formation, various methods of influencing the brain have been used for quite some time. In addition, these methods often aim to stimulate neurons to improve their performance. They can be either physiotherapeutic or medicamental, or complex. One of such methods is the micro-polarization of children's brain. Reviews about this procedure are increasingly found on the pages of medical journals and websites. What is this procedure?

More about the method

The method of micro-polarization is an effect on brain cells through a small direct current. For the first time this procedure was proposed to be used in the Institute of Experimental Medicine. At present, the largest center in Russia practicing this method is the Bekhterev Institute in St. Petersburg.

The technique is based on numerous works of neurophysiologists, which are aimed at studying the brain's biopotentials, their changes in various states and diseases, and reactions to external influences through currents of varying strength and power.

The procedure is mainly used to treat various organic diseases of the brain (for example, coping with the consequences of a stroke), but recently it has been used for a recreational purpose.

A low-strength and frequency current (several tens or hundreds of μA) is used to effect the action. This value differs significantly from that used in various physiotherapy techniques.

When exposed to nerve cells, the micropolarization of the brain helps 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 micro-polarization. In fact, they are no different from each other (the same currents, the same electrodes, the same pathogenetic effect). The only difference is in the location of the electrodes - in the transcranial method, they are superimposed on the region of the head and the specific portion of the brain for local exposure. When the transvertebral method is used, spinal cord neurons are stimulated and subsequent excitation of the overlying brain structures via neural connections.

More about the procedure

How is the brain micropolarization carried out for children? Reviews about this method are rare, as it is not widely used.

The procedure is not particularly complicated. The patient is wearing a special helmet-cap with electrodes placed on his head. It is a part of the specialized device "Reamed-Polaris", specially developed for this procedure. The method of micropolarization involves a local effect on certain areas of the brain, because of which the electrodes can be attached where impulse stimulation is necessary.

During the procedure, the patient can actively engage in their own affairs (communicate, read a book, play). There are no unpleasant things.

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 conduct several procedures. The result is noticeable, if passed the number of sessions, which requires micropolarization of children's brain. Reviews usually indicate that success in treatment was observed after 8-10 regular procedures.

Some, according to reviews, until the first results were enough and 5-6 sessions, but everything 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 to achieve maximum results of treatment of many serious diseases.

In diseases of the nervous system in a child, brain micropolarization is effective for improving the condition with the following problems:

• Lag behind in development.
• Urinary incontinence (predominantly nocturnal).
• Degenerative-dystrophic processes.

In adults, transcranial micro-polarization of the brain is used in a wider range of diseases, but it has a slightly less therapeutic effect than in children. The procedure allows to eliminate the following problems as much as possible:

• The consequences of a stroke.
• Residual effects after traumatic brain injuries.
• Changes in brain function after poisoning with holinolytics.
• Aphasia.
• Neuroses and neurosis-like conditions.

In rare cases, transcranial micro-polarization of the brain can be used as a method of stimulating creative abilities and memory.

As soon as the procedure began, it was actively tried to use in the treatment of childhood autism, but this did not yield any results. Children with autism did not react to the micro-polarization of the brain (only EEG indices changed, but there were no clinical results).

Clinical Effects

How does the effect of micro-polarization on the brain manifest itself? After the procedure, the following effects were observed:

• In adults, this technique allowed to reduce the number of operations for indications for patients with hemorrhagic strokes and head injury (there was a decrease in the area of the hematoma after a course of 8-10 procedures).
• Many speech disorders (stammering, cartilage) after passing a certain number of sessions became more amenable to correction and disappeared several times faster.
• With the direct development of stroke, the regress of the induced changes occurred more rapidly than with conservative interventions.
• Medical-diagnostic procedures along with the course TMGM allowed if not to return, then lower the tonal auditory thresholds by several tens of decibels.
• Increased visual acuity after the course of treatment.

The first sign of the effectiveness of the procedure are changes on the electroencephalogram.

The procedure also allows you to restore many motor and mental functions, reduce the frequency of seizures and hyperkinesia, reduce the size of focal lesions and restore the function of certain organs (for example, pelvic incontinence and involuntary defecation).

Effects persisted for at least two to three months, after which it was necessary to take the course again.

Features of the procedure at the moment

Due to some complexity of use this method is not too common yet. Transcranial micropolarization has not yet gone through 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, thinking ability; In others, the results were poorly expressed or not manifested at all.

As for children, transcranial micro-polarization shows satisfactory results in the treatment of mental retardation. Often there are positive changes that occur much earlier than with the use of drug therapy or, for example, hypnosis. In addition to accelerating the recovery processes, the child becomes more communicative, active and positive.

In the treatment of Down's disease or autism, the data has not yet been confirmed. It has not yet been fully elucidated how micro-polarization affects brain cells. In many studies, the result was minimal or did not manifest itself at all. However, as experts note, there were no worsening after the procedure.

Micropolarization of the brain for children. Effects

What is the mechanism of action of the procedure under consideration? The impact is due to a weak current, comparable in power to the biopotentials of the brain. Due to this, the stimulating effect on the brain cells is proving. The excitability is regulated with bringing it to a normal level.

Due to the local effect of the current there are two effects - system and local. The latter is manifested due to anti-edematous effect, anti-inflammatory effect and stimulation of trophism of affected areas of the brain.

The systemic action is carried out due to a 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).

In the course of such a process, stimulation of both the cerebral cortex and deep structures is carried out, which allows reducing or, conversely, increasing their physiological activity.

The positive effect of the procedure is observed when the neurons respond adequately to the impulse and, as a result, change their excitability and metabolism.

Due to the fact that the long-lasting effect of micro-polarization persists (those who have been helped by the procedure), one can conduct the next course six months after the first.

Contraindications to the procedure

Like all medical measures, this technique has some contraindications. When they are present, there is often a development of significant complications.

Contraindications include the following:

• Increased sensitivity and individual intolerance to the current.
• Acute skin diseases, localized at the site of application of electrodes. They are a contraindication to virtually all methods of physiotherapy, not excluding micropolarization.
• Raise body temperature for some time. It can be a sign of a dangerous brain disease, and the effect of current on the diseased organ from the outside will only worsen the course of the ailment.
• Diseases of the circulatory system.
• The presence of foreign objects and foreign bodies in the cavity of the cranium or the spine (especially metal, for example, wire or staples for fixing fragments of the processes of the vertebrae).
• Diseases of the cardiovascular system in the stage of decompensation.
• Severe contractions of cerebral vessels due to atherosclerosis or congenital stenosis, due to which brain cells experience oxygen starvation, there is a risk of rupture of the vessels during the procedure with the development of a hematoma and hemorrhagic stroke.
• Malignant formation of the brain. Micropolarization can provoke tumor growth if it is present (even if it is of minimal size).
• Violent behavior of the patient and neurotic status. In these patients it is difficult to record the testimony, because because of their excessive activity they often tear off the electrodes.
• Parallel reception of strong psychotropic drugs, as well as some procedures (such as acupuncture, muscle electrostimulation, etc.).

It is not necessary to combine micro-polarization with nootropic therapy, since taking medications can be replaced by impulsive action on the cerebral cortex.

Where is the procedure performed?

Over the last ten years, the method of transcranial micro-polarization has been increasingly being introduced into practice. Only a few centers specializing in this technique can conduct the procedure examined. What are these institutions and where are they located?

Similar centers are located in such cities as St. Petersburg and Voronezh. In the latter, you can go through this procedure in a specialized clinic "Alternative Plus". However, micropolarization is best studied and actively introduced into use where it was proposed (Bekhterev Institute in St. Petersburg). The Institute of Medical Rehabilitation "Return" and the Human Brain Institute are not far behind in this respect.

Thanks to the specifics, as well as the staffing of these institutions (almost all workers are from the Bekhterev Institute) it is there that you can conduct a micro-polarization procedure, as well as get answers to the questions of interest.

Many other medical institutions are trying to use this technique, but due to the limited number of specialists dealing with this problem, extensive introduction is still a significant challenge.

The impression of this procedure among those who passed it

At numerous forums devoted to brain diseases, this method of treatment is being actively discussed and discussed. What are the parents' impressions about such a procedure as micropolarization of children's brain? Comments on the specialized forums are diverse - someone liked the procedure, and the effect was well expressed (from the words of one of the mothers of the disabled child, her son became more calm, the first signs of speech and consciousness began to appear, and the number of involuntary inadequate acts decreased).

Others say the procedure is useless. They did not have any positive effect from it or it was minimal, and it could be attributed to success in the lessons with the child, self-healing or simply regression of the process.

Note that those who underwent micro-polarization of the brain, leave both positive and negative reviews. It is because of this that it is impossible to judge the effectiveness of the procedure, since the results are in the widest range.

The only proven positive effect of micropolarization can be considered improvement of brain waves fixed on the EEG (electroencephalogram), although many children with autism, this indicator is not effective, because their brain activity is no different from normal.

Is it worth it to carry out this procedure

Do I need this procedure for my child? A similar question was for sure asked many parents of kids with developmental problems. The majority are overwhelmed with doubts, because having read on the Internet about what is brain micropolarization (reviews about this procedure are extremely controversial), they can not decide on its effectiveness. However, many people decide to conduct it simply because of despair, trying to help their kid in any way.

Undoubtedly, the choice should always be made in favor of the child. Given that there are those for whom the proper effect of micro-polarization has been made (reviews about it in such cases are the best), why not try it? Harm does not inflict this procedure, it will only be a waste of time and money in case of failure.

It should be remembered that each person is individual in nature, and one can easily give in to the therapy of the brain (pictures on the MRI will point to the regression of the organic pathological site), and in another patient the organ will not respond to the procedure. This can be due to both the individual sensitivity of neurons to the effects of impulses, and the improper selection of charge and waves. Most often this is the main reason for the inefficiency of the procedure. Even if micropolarization was conducted, the feedback about it will be negative, since they did not take into account the individual characteristics of the human brain and did not conduct proper diagnostic procedures aimed at determining minimum exposure indications.

Now let's talk a little about the cost of the procedure. It is not particularly high (within a thousand-two thousand two hundred rubles). Despite this, it should be remembered that from one procedure the effect is almost never manifested, at least several sessions are required which will already cost a pretty penny. In addition, a mandatory consultation of a neurologist and psychiatrist is necessary to determine possible contraindications to conducting micro-polarization, which also costs a lot. However, for your own child's health, no money is wasted. The main thing is to hope that micro-polarization will help. A positive attitude is very important in the treatment of any disease.