Multiple Sclerosis Sufferer Helped With Deep Oscillation Therapy Following Hemiarthroplasty
Tracey Doolan wrote: "My husband has Multiple Sclerosis and other very complicated health issues and Christmas morning 2018, he fell from the bed and fractured his hip. My husband had a Hemiarthroplasty and then some physio intervention provided by the NHS, but it was intermittent and only for a short period of time leaving him unable to stand or walk.
Joe had so much tightening in the muscle at the back of his leg, he was in pain and could not bear any weight on the leg. His leg was so hard and felt like a piece of wood, he also had very poor circulation in his foot. We continued with the exercise programme the Physiotherapist had given us, but it did not improve and we were at a loss on how we could help him.
A friend had told me she had heard about using deep oscillation therapy and that it had given relief to all sorts of medical problems, so I sourced a company who provided one for us but I didn’t hold out much hope that Joe would be able to ever stand again.
The machine was delivered to us by a very skilful, knowledgeable practitioner, Julie Soroczyn. She trained myself and my husband’s care team how to use the machine and said she would contact us in a few weeks’ time to see how we were getting on.
The machine was used daily on both of Joe's legs by the two carers and within a short period of time, you could feel the loosening of the muscle and the tendons were much softer. The bad leg started to feel just the same as the good one and with regular use Joe started to stand up (enabling him to urinate in standing position, which was very important to him). Joe now has much more movement in his leg and is able to walk several steps, the circulation in his feet is also much improved.
Julie was confident in the machine and its ability to help Joe when she made her initial visit and was available for any questions.
We are truly grateful to PhysioPod, and to Julie, for her positive, hands-on approach, talking us through everything we were unsure of, and of course, for getting my husband back up on his feet. Deep Oscillation is a fantastic therapy"
What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
(Extracted with thanks to The Multiple Sclerosis Trust website)
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition that affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, also known as the central nervous system or CNS. 'Sclerosis' means scarring or hardening of tiny patches of tissue. 'Multiple' is added because this happens at more than one place in the brain and/or spinal cord.
MS-related factors that can increase the risk of falling:
- Visual problems - double vision, blurred vision and nystagmus can make it difficult to focus or to see any hazards clearly. Optic neuritis can affect balance if information from the eyes reach the brain at different speeds
- Problems with mobility and/or balance - in particular foot drop, numbness, dizziness and fatigue may cause issues
- Continence problems - rushing to the toilet to empty the bladder or bowel more frequently or urgently can make sufferers less careful than usual and lead to falls
- Problems relating to concentration, attention span, poor memory or other cognitive symptoms - this might mean sufferers find it more difficult to judge distances, may trip over things that they'd forgotten were there, or if trying to do more than one thing at once and not fully concentrating on walking
- Side effects of medications - such as drowsiness or dizziness.
What is Deep Oscillation?
DEEP OSCILLATION? (1) is an internationally patented, proven technology based on the effects of creating an electrostatic field in the tissue of the patient. Easy application is from therapist to patient/client via hygienic, vinyl gloved hands; utilising all standard massage techniques or via circular movements over the tissue with a handheld applicator/s which also enable self management. Because of the non-invasive, non-traumatic, gentle nature of this therapy, very early possibilities of application are possible following injury and from Day One post operatively. Chronic conditions can also be worked upon with effective results.
Please take a look at the DEEP OSCILLATION? product range.
What happens in a treatment?
The special structure of DEEP OSCILLATION? allows the creation of biologically effective oscillations in the treated tissue using electrostatic attraction and friction.
In contrast to other therapies, these pleasant oscillations have a gentle and deep-acting effect on all tissue components to an 8 cm depth (through skin, connective tissue, subcutaneous fat, muscles, blood and lymph vessels). The tissue is gently and non-invasively attracted and released between 5 and 250 times a second back to the gloved hand or the applicator. It is pleasant and relaxing and very well tolerated.
How can Deep Oscillation help after Hemiarthroplasty?
After Hemiarthroplasty, Deep Oscillation can be applied very successfully from the first day after the procedure. The treatment goals consist of decongestion, pain reduction and promotion of mobility and wound healing, as well as improved scarring / accelerated tissue repair. (2)
How can Deep Oscillation help with Multiple Sclerosis in general treatment?
Deep Oscillation can help to reduce spasms, promote intestinal and bladder functions with anti-oedema and relaxing effects. Treatment to neck, head, thorax, abdomen, legs and back.
A small study on DOT in MS patients showed effects significant effects on hand function (3)
More detailed information on Deep Oscillation
This video shows the effect of Deep Oscillation on the lymphatic system:
Oedema and haematomas occur as a result of bleeding as well as destruction or damage of lymphatic capillaries by trauma (mechanical, surgical etc.). In the acute inflammatory phase of wound debridement, there is also increased phagocytosis and a generally higher need for transport of extracellular protein, blood cells and other particles (exudation). This results in an enormous interstitial increase in the lymphatic load. As a result, post-traumatic oedema develops by overloading the lymph transport system (high volume insufficiency) and backing up in the interstitial space, in spite of increase in the lymphatic flow rate.
Increased resorption of subcutaneous oedema by deep oscillation has been shown in several clinical studies. This can be explained by two hypotheses. One would be that mechanical stimulation at the level of the interstitial ground substance produces mixing of materials to be transported with the lymph, enhances its distribution and thus increases the surface area for resorption. Another would be that mechanical impulses generate deforming forces that act on the collagenous fibre structures of the interstitial space, and these apply tensile forces to the endothelial layer of the initial lymphatic vessels (lymph capillaries and pre-collectors) via anchor filaments. In this way they could open junctions in the endothelial layer for inflow of fluid, and assist the interstitial drainage mechanism.
- Post-traumatic oedema formation: Bleeding, increased transport demands, high volume insufficiency, backing-up in interstitial space.
- Deep oscillation assists resorption of oedema: Mixing materials for transport with the lymph, distribution, increasing surface area, tension on endothelial layer of initial lymph vessels (lymphatic capillaries and pre-collectors) via collagenous fibre structures in the interstitial space, opening junctions for fluid inflow, assistance of the interstitial drainage mechanism.
- Transport of lymph together with materials such as various extracellular proteins, blood cells and other particulate material.
- Valves can already be found in the pre-collectors at intervals of 2-3 mm. Transport of lymph is the exclusive function of lymph collectors and the lymph ducts connected with them.
- The lymphatic system contributes to homeostasis by influencing the volume of extracellular fluid, the interstitial protein concentration and the tissue pressure.
1. Mechanisms of Deep Oscillation, Dr Jens Reinhold, MLD UK The Journal, April 2017
Download English Summary of Abstract
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