Research on the application of infrared, shortwave and electrotherapy in elderly rehabilitation treatment

With the acceleration of population aging, the health issues of the elderly are increasingly receiving attention from all walks of life. As an important means to improve the quality of life of the elderly, relieve disease symptoms, and restore body functions, the research on treatment techniques and methods of elderly rehabilitation is particularly important. Infrared, shortwave, and electrotherapy techniques have been widely used in elderly rehabilitation treatment due to their unique advantages in pain relief, inflammation dissipation, and blood circulation improvement. This article aims to review the application of infrared, shortwave, and electrotherapy techniques in elderly rehabilitation treatment, in order to provide theoretical reference and practical guidance for elderly rehabilitation treatment.

1. Application of infrared therapy technology in elderly rehabilitation treatment

Infrared therapy, as a non-invasive treatment method, plays an important role in elderly rehabilitation. This technology uses specific equipment to emit infrared radiation, which can penetrate the surface of the skin, penetrate into the subcutaneous tissue and even deeper muscles and joints [1]. When infrared radiation hits these tissues, it produces a thermal effect, which brings about a series of positive physiological reactions.

1. Infrared irradiation can promote blood circulation

Due to the thermal effect, blood vessels will expand, making blood flow smoother, thereby increasing oxygen and nutrients and accelerating the discharge of metabolic waste. This is especially important for arthritis patients, because infrared irradiation can promote the circulation of joint fluid, help joint cartilage get more nutrients and oxygen, and thus reduce joint swelling and pain.

(ii) Infrared irradiation can also relieve muscle fatigue

Due to the decline of physical function, the muscles of the elderly are prone to fatigue and tension. Infrared irradiation can penetrate deep into the muscle tissue, relax tense muscles, relieve muscle fatigue and stiffness, and make patients feel more comfortable and relaxed.

(III) Infrared irradiation also has the function of accelerating tissue repair

When the body is injured, the repair process requires a lot of energy and nutrients. Infrared irradiation can provide this energy, promote the regeneration and repair of tissue cells, thereby accelerating wound healing and tissue recovery.

In the rehabilitation treatment of the elderly, infrared physiotherapy technology is often used in the rehabilitation treatment of diseases such as arthritis, frozen shoulder, and low back pain. For example, in the rehabilitation treatment of arthritis, infrared irradiation can help the joint cartilage get more nutrition and oxygen, thereby reducing joint swelling and pain and improving joint mobility. In the rehabilitation treatment of frozen shoulder, infrared irradiation can relax the shoulder muscles and relieve shoulder pain, while improving shoulder blood circulation and promoting the dissipation of inflammation. In the rehabilitation treatment of low back pain, infrared irradiation can penetrate deep into the waist muscles and ligament tissues, relieve muscle tension and pain, and promote the repair and regeneration of the waist soft tissue.

2. Application of shortwave physiotherapy technology in elderly rehabilitation treatment

Shortwave therapy is a therapy method that uses high-frequency electromagnetic waves to act on human tissues[2]. This technology uses specific equipment to emit high-frequency electromagnetic waves, which can penetrate the surface of the skin, penetrate into the subcutaneous tissue and even deeper muscles and nerves.

1. Shortwave radiation can promote blood circulation

Similar to infrared therapy technology, short-wave irradiation can also dilate blood vessels and accelerate blood flow. This allows injured or diseased tissues to get more oxygen and nutrients, while accelerating the discharge of metabolic waste. This is crucial for the recovery of fracture healing, soft tissue injuries and other diseases.

2. Improving tissue metabolism and enhancing immunity

High-frequency electromagnetic waves can stimulate the metabolic process of tissue cells and accelerate cell renewal and repair. At the same time, it can also enhance the body's immunity and improve the body's resistance to disease. This is especially important for elderly patients because their physical functions are relatively weak and they are vulnerable to various diseases.

3. Promote the dissipation of inflammation

When the body is injured or infected, local inflammation occurs. Shortwave irradiation can accelerate the metabolism and excretion of inflammatory cells, while inhibiting the production and release of inflammatory mediators, thereby reducing inflammation and pain. This is of great significance for the rehabilitation treatment of diseases such as radiculitis.

In the rehabilitation treatment of the elderly, shortwave physiotherapy technology is often used in the rehabilitation treatment of fracture healing, soft tissue injuries, radiculitis and other diseases. For example, in the rehabilitation treatment of fractures, shortwave irradiation can promote blood circulation and callus formation at the fracture end, thereby accelerating fracture healing and improving the stability of the fracture site. In the rehabilitation treatment of soft tissue injuries, shortwave irradiation can eliminate inflammation and swelling while relieving pain and restoring the functionality of soft tissues. In the rehabilitation treatment of radiculitis, shortwave irradiation can relieve the symptoms of nerve root compression and improve nerve conduction function, thereby improving the patient's quality of life.

3. Application of electrotherapy in elderly rehabilitation treatment

As a traditional physical therapy method, electrothermal therapy plays an indispensable role in the rehabilitation of the elderly. It uses the effect of electric heating to conduct heat energy to local tissues of the human body through specific equipment, thereby producing a therapeutic effect.

1. Electrotherapy technology can accelerate local blood circulation

Under the action of electric heat, local blood vessels dilate and blood flow speeds up, which allows the injured or diseased parts to get more oxygen and nutrients, and also helps to discharge metabolic waste. For elderly patients with chronic pain, this effect of improving blood circulation helps relieve pain and speed up the recovery process.

2. Relieve muscle tension and pain

Due to the decline of physical function, the muscles of the elderly are prone to tension and pain. Electrotherapy can penetrate deep into the muscle tissue, relax tense muscles, relieve muscle pain and stiffness, and improve the patient's comfort.

In the rehabilitation treatment of the elderly, electrotherapy is often used in the rehabilitation treatment of chronic pain, muscle strain, nerve damage and other diseases. For example, in the treatment of chronic pain, electrotherapy can relieve the patient's pain and improve the quality of life; in the treatment of muscle strain, electrotherapy can promote the repair and regeneration of muscle tissue and accelerate the recovery process; in the treatment of nerve damage, electrotherapy can stimulate nerve endings and promote the recovery of nerve function.

IV. Application of infrared, shortwave and electrotherapy techniques in elderly cancer rehabilitation

In the process of cancer rehabilitation in the elderly, patients often have to face the side effects and decline of physical functions caused by surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Infrared, shortwave, electrotherapy and other physical therapy technologies play an important role in this process, helping to relieve patients' symptoms and improve their quality of life.

First, for patients after cancer surgery, these physical therapy techniques can promote the healing of surgical incisions. Surgical incisions require adequate oxygen and nutrient supply during the healing process, and physical therapy techniques such as infrared, shortwave, and electric heating can improve local blood circulation, provide more nutrients and oxygen to the incision, and thus accelerate the healing process. Secondly, these physical therapy techniques can relieve postoperative pain and edema. Patients after surgery often experience symptoms such as pain and edema, and physical therapy techniques such as infrared, shortwave, and electric heating can relieve these symptoms and improve the patient's comfort. In addition, for patients after radiotherapy and chemotherapy, these physical therapy techniques can alleviate the side effects caused by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. During radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the patient's skin, mucous membranes and other tissues will be damaged, causing symptoms such as dryness and pain. Physical therapy techniques such as infrared, shortwave, and electric heating can improve local blood circulation and tissue metabolism, relieve these symptoms, and improve the patient's quality of life. Finally, these physical therapy techniques can also improve the patient's immunity and physical function. During the cancer recovery process, the patient's physical functions often decline, and physical therapy techniques such as infrared, shortwave, and electrotherapy can stimulate the metabolism and renewal process of tissue cells, improve the body's immunity and resistance, and promote the improvement of the patient's overall health.

VI. Conclusion

Physiotherapy technologies such as infrared, shortwave, and electrotherapy have important application value in elderly rehabilitation treatment. These technologies effectively relieve pain, swelling and other symptoms of elderly patients by improving local blood circulation, promoting inflammation dissipation and tissue repair, and improving the quality of life of patients. At the same time, these technologies also play an important role in cancer rehabilitation, promoting the recovery of patients' physical functions and improving their overall health. In the future, with the continuous advancement of science and technology and the continuous upgrading of medical equipment, the application of physiotherapy technologies such as infrared, shortwave, and electrotherapy in elderly rehabilitation treatment will be more extensive and in-depth.

Author: Sun Qian, Rest Home for Retired Cadres of the Second Jinan Military Region of Shandong Province

References:

[1] Li Jie, Li Xuemin, Zhang Qi, et al. Effects of Chinese medicine fumigation combined with infrared therapy on ODI, VAS scores and lumbar range of motion in elderly patients with lumbar muscle strain[J]. Journal of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2023, 25(12): 213-216.

[2] Yang Yujing, Chen Lingling. Effects of shortwave rehabilitation physiotherapy combined with proprioception training on joint function and motor ability in elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis[J]. Reflexology and Rehabilitation Medicine, 2023, 4(12):71-74.