It is basically a variation of sinusoidal currents. Sinusoidal currents
are alternating low frequency currents, having frequency of 50 Hz and pulse duration of 10 msec, providing 100 stimuli / sec. Physical properties: There are five different currents available for didynamic therapy. 1. DF (Fixed di-phase): Full-wave rectified alternating current, with a frequency of 50 Hz. 2. MF (Fixed mono-phase): Half-wave rectified alternating current, with a frequency of 50 Hz. 3. CP (Short periods): I-sec DF
I-sec MF
I-sec DF
Equal phases of DF and MF, alternating without interval pauses.
4. LP (Long periods): 10-sec MF
5-sec DF
10-sec MF
It includes 10-sec phase of MF, followed by 5-sec phase of DF, in which
peak intensity is varied with a frequency to rise and then fall. 5. RS (Syncopal Rhythm): It comprises 1-sec phase of MF, followed by a 1-sec rest phase. Physiological Effects: The main effect is pain relief through: * Pain masking (increase of the stimulation threshold): By DF current, stimulation of the sensory nerves may not always cause excitation but it can be altered. * Vasodilatation and hyperemia: Due to release of histamine in the tissues. The same can occur in deeper structures by reflex activity. 1
* Muscle fibers stimulation: Didynamic current stimulates the muscle
fibers, causing muscle contraction. CP and LP currents stimulate increase blood flow to the muscle and reduce edema. * Stimulation of vibration sense: This leads to central masking of pain sensation. Indications: Didynamic stimulation causes relief of pain and edema in the following conditions: - Soft tissue injury (sprains, strain, contusion and epicondylitis). - Joint disorders (post-immobilization and arthritis). - Circulatory disorders (Raynaud's disease and migraine). - Peripheral nerve disorders (neuralgia and sciatic neuritis). Contraindications: * Open skin: The current tends to concentrate at this point; small broken areas can be insulated by Vaseline. * Bony areas: It may produce burn. * Loss of sensation: It can produce burn. * Skin lesions: Eczema fungi can be irritated and made worse. * Infections: It may cause spreading of infection. * Thrombosis. * Cardiac pace makers. * Superficial metal. Dosage: * Intensity: It should be increased gradually until definite vibration or prickling sensation occurs. * Duration: Not more than 12 minutes; each type for 3 minutes. 2
* Frequency: Daily or every other day for 12 sessions.
- DF: It is used for the initial treatment and before application of other currents. The patient feels a prickling sensation, which subsides after a short time. - MF: The patient feels a strong vibration for longer time than the sensation of DF. It is used for treatment of pain without muscle spasm. - CP: In DF phase, there are fine tremors in MF phase (strong and constant vibration). There are rhythmic contractions, being used for treatment of traumatic pain. - LP: It has a long-lasting analgesic effect. It is used with combination of CP in treatment of neuralgia. - RS: It can be used for faradic stimulation of the muscle and as a test for motor nerve excitability.
Osceola Naranjo, Linda - The Native American Herbalist's Bible - 3-In-1 Companion To Herbal Medicine (Theory and Practice, Field Book, Herbal Remedies) - Self-Published (2021)