Microcurrent therapy, technically referred to as Microcurrent Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation (MENS), is a type of medical treatment for pain, muscle spasms and sports injuries. Somewhat controversial in the medical field, microcurrent therapy is one of the most recent developments in physical electrotherapy, and is increasingly used by the physical therapists and physicians of athletes.
About Microcurrent Technology
Microcurrent therapy uses pulsating electrical currents that are extremely low-voltage (millionths of an amp) in order to relieve pain and stimulate healing. Any injury of skin tissue and in the body disrupts normal electrical cell activity. The microcurrents are fine-tuned to reach the level of the normal electrical activity of the cells. Because the currents are so small, they're able to penetrate the injured cells rather than pass over them, as other electro-therapeutic devices do. Simulating the same electrical signals that occur when the body is healing itself triggers the real healing process. Nutrient distribution is enhanced, blood circulation increases, and new healthy cells are regenerated to replace injured, unwanted ones.
The Principle
Many medical studies since the 1980s have focused on the bioelectrical aspect of body cells and the use of electrical currents to stimulate healing reactions. The electrical current used in microtherapy is substantially smaller than in any previous types of electrotherapy, which is the key to its effectiveness. Unlike other electrotherapy treatments, there is no tissue resistance in microcurrent therapy. A biological compatibility has been achieved with these weak currents to mimic normal body functioning, so that a response of repair within the tissue is triggered and enhanced. The normal electrical impulses of the cells are restored; subsequently, pain subsides and reparations begin.
Uses
Microcurrent therapy is used most frequently in cases involving muscle spasm and soft tissue inflammation. It's used on athletic injuries to yield rapid repair, cease pain and get the injured athlete back on the field. It's used to cease acute pain, and its continual use can heal chronic pain. Arthritis, chronic back and neck pain, migraines and tennis elbow may be treated. Microcurent therapy reduces swelling and stimulates muscle trigger points to ease movement. It heals the body by improving the regeneration of soft tissue.
Treatment Sessions
Microcurrent therapy is performed by physical therapists and physicians. Sessions generally last for 60 to 90 minutes. The quantity and frequency of sessions depends on the patient's condition. In most cases, patients can't feel the applied current, but it may sometimes produce a slight tingling feeling.
For optimal results, microcurrent treatment may be coupled with mild aerobic exercise and diet improvements, as recommended by the patient's physician.
Aftereffects
Results vary from patient to patient. Some patients experience pain relief right away; others are relieved of pain sometime after the session(s). Protein synthesis and ion exchange are stimulated after receiving microcurrent treatment, triggering proper glycologen use of the muscular systems. Ultimately, the proper functioning of the body's cells is restored.
Safety and Side Effects
Microcurrent therapy is considered safe for people of all ages, but it is not recommended for people who use pacemakers and are intolerable of electromagnetic fields.
No significant side effects of microcurrent treatment have been reported.
Tags: Microcurrent therapy, microcurrent treatment, normal electrical, body cells, cells restored