Rebox electrotherapeutic method is based on non-invasive transcutaneous application of specific electric currents to a living tissue. Main indications for using the Rebox include treatment of acute and chronic pain

Pain

Pain is an unpleasant sensation often caused by intense or damaging stimuli such as stubbing a toe, burning a finger, putting iodine on a cut, and bumping the "funny bone."...

, immobility, musculoskeletal and neurological disorders and oedema.

Method description

Rebox electrotherapeutic

Electrotherapy

Electrotherapy is the use of electrical energy as a medical treatment In medicine, the term electrotherapy can apply to a variety of treatments, including the use of electrical devices such as deep brain stimulators for neurological disease. The term has also been applied specifically to the use of...

 rehabilitation has been clinically used in human and animal medicine since 1985. It was invented and patented by Ing. Petr Slovak, Ph.D., a lecturer at Czech Technical University in Prague, CZ

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....

. The name Rebox is derived from the "Rehabilitation Box".

Rebox method is different from classic Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulations (TENS) in many basic characteristics. Specific impulses (frequency 2–4 kHz, pulse width 100-300 μs) of weak electric currents (100-200 μA) are introduced transcutaneously to the affected region with a touch of a small non-invasive treatment electrode (cathode) while the patient holds a second reference electrode (anode) in a hand to complete electric circuit. The treatment electrode (active surface 1,5 mm2) is applied for 2–3 seconds in one spot, then proceeding approx. 1,5 cm to another point. About 20 points are treated per one session. Frequency of treatment sessions is individual for each patient.

Attraction of extracellular and intracellular positive ions (Na+, Ca2+, K+, H+) to the treatment electrode (cathode) leads to local changes in tissue microenvironment resulting in positive treatment effects.

Indications

Rebox electrotherapy is used by physiotherapists, rehabilitation providers, general practitioners, orthopedists, algesiologists, neurologists and sport-medicine providers. The devices are also used by patients themselves in homecare treatment. The most frequent applications include back pain

Back pain

Back pain is pain felt in the back that usually originates from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine.The pain can often be divided into neck pain, upper back pain, lower back pain or tailbone pain...

, epicondylitis

Epicondylitis

Epicondylitis refers to an inflammation of an epicondyle.Types include:* Lateral epicondylitis, also known as tennis elbow.* Medial epicondylitis, also known as golfer's elbow ....

, sprained ankle

Sprained ankle

A sprained ankle, also known as an ankle sprain, twisted ankle, rolled ankle, ankle injury or ankle ligament injury, is a common medical condition where one or more of the ligaments of the ankle is torn or partially torn.-Cause:...

, torticollis

Torticollis

Torticollis, or wryneck, is a stiff neck associated with muscle spasm, classically causing lateral flexion contracture of the cervical spine musculature...

, knee ligament damage

Knee

The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the fibula and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a mobile trocho-ginglymus , which permits flexion and extension as...

 and other.

Acute and chronic pain

One of the main causes of pain is local acidosis due to inflammation and ischemic processes. Rebox is effective in immediate pain relief by correction of local acidosis (phenomena called Transcutaneous Correction of Local Acidosis - TCLA).

Immobility and hypertonia

Local changes in calcium ions (Ca2+) concentrations cause myorelaxation (decrease of muscular hypertonia

Hypertonia

Hypertonia a condition marked by an abnormal increase in muscle tension and a reduced ability of a muscle to stretch. It is caused by lesions to upper motor neurons in the central nervous system, which carry information from the central nervous system to the muscles and control posture, muscle...

 and spasm

Spasm

In medicine a spasm is a sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle, a group of muscles, or a hollow organ, or a similarly sudden contraction of an orifice. It is sometimes accompanied by a sudden burst of pain, but is usually harmless and ceases after a few minutes...

) and significant improvement in range of motion

Range of motion

Range of motion , is the distance that a movable object may normally travel while properly attached to another object. It is also called range of travel, particularly when talking about mechanical devices and in mechanical engineering fields...

.

Oedema

Rebox currents improve circulation of blood and lymphatic fluid (mainly due to Na+ movement) leading to antioedematous effect in affected area.

Neurological disorders

Rebox therapy is used in rehabilitation of after-stroke

Stroke

A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...

 conditions, Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...

, phantom pain

Phantom pain

Phantom pain sensations are described as perceptions that an individual experiences relating to a limb or an organ that is not physically part of the body. Limb loss is a result of either removal by amputation or congenital limb deficiency . However, phantom limb sensations can also occur following...

, Parkinson disease and other.

Healing processes

The method facilitates healing processes, this effect is mostly visible in wounds after surgery.

Diagnostic value

Tissue electric microcharacteristics can be visualized by the Rebox devices. The physiological curve differs from pathological situations and is specific for variety of disorders. This diagnostic value is helpful for monitoring of effectiveness and progress of treatment.