TCLA - Transcutaneous Correction of Local Acidosis
The treatment method of the Rebox device is based on Transcutaneous Correction of Local Acidosis (TCLA). This therapy method is being clinically used since 1985.
Lots of acute injuries and chronic diseases are accompanied by local acidosis in living tissue. This results in pain, oedema and myocontraction. The TCLA is a way to correct it all.
The basic arrangement can be seen in the picture: the patient holds a large-surface cylinder electrode (ANODE) in his hand and the second - needle electrode (CATHODE) is applied to the treated area.
Battery powered pulse generator provides pulsating DC current with rectangular waveform. Microamp meter is measuring the average value of the current. All positive ions (mainly K+, Ca++ and Na+) are attracted from the extra cellular fluid to the cathode. After a short time, myorelaxation in the tissue occurs - especially thanks to calcium ions.
Due to the electrolysis effect, water molecules in extra cellular fluid dissociate to hydrogen positive ions and OH hydroxide negative ions according to the chemical equation in the picture. Since hydrogen ions leave the tissue and enter the surrounding air, and hydroxide ions together with K+ and Na+ ions create hydroxides NaOH and KOH, local alkalization occurs. This results in dramatic pain decrease. Because the effective radius, which was experimentally found, is about 1.5cm (approx. 1/2 inch), we can imagine the treated area for one needle probe application point as a hemisphere with a 1.5cm radius.
After 2-3 seconds of needle probe application balance occurs and the current remains constant, but only if we treat normal tissue without pathologies. At this moment, application can be finished at this point and the therapist can move 1-2cm further. The average current vs. time characteristics for normal tissue can be seen in the picture. The cross shows the optimal time for finishing the treatment at this point.
If there is any pathology in the tissue, we will obtain another characteristic. Four examples are shown at the following picture. This means that this method has also its diagnostic value.
If we summarize it, the TCLA treatment method has three basic effects:
Analgetic: Pain decrease due to local alkalization
Myorelaxation: Due to calcium ions
Improved blood and lymphatic fluid circulation: Thanks to increased ion migration
These effects appear during a few minutes following the application. The treatment can be then repeated the next day if needed. The number of treatment sessions and the length of one session depend on the type of disease. A typical session length is between 5-10 minutes and a sufficient number of sessions is 4-5 during a week for acute injuries, for example.