Considering the fine print

Before you all get too excited and rush off to use microcurrent electrotherapy on yourself or your patients, there are a few things to be considered first.

As mentioned in the previous post, the current administered in microcurrent therapy is measured in microamperes and mimics the intensities produced by tissues (Maenpaa  et al, 2004). For your comparison, the currents used in Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) are measured in milliamperes and can result in sensation and motor contraction, depending on parameters chosen for the intention of application (Curtis et al, 2010). This means that microcurrents are below the threshold required to stimulate sensory fibres, and the patient will have no perception of the electrical current (Curtis, 2010). For this reason, given that microcurrent is applied within its defining parameters, safety and comfort is mostly dependent on electrode placement and patient positioning.

As with all forms of electrical stimulation, a number of contraindications exist for the application of microcurrent therapy. However, the low intensity current means there aren’t many documented contraindications specific to microcurrent. The general contraindications for electrical stimulation are as follows (Zuim et al, 2005):

·         Conditions of unknown aetiology

·         Cardiac pacemakers

·         Malignant tissues

·         Placement over the carotid sinus or across the cerebrum

The safety regarding the following conditions have not been established and, as such, require extreme caution (Zuim et al, 2005):

·         Pregnancy

·         Epilepsy

·         Pain of central origin

·         Skin and vascular disorders

Mercola and Kirsch (1995) for the Journal of Advancement in Medicine stated that there are no known significant side effects to microcurrent electrical therapy, given these contraindications are considered.

So, as long as you remember your general contraindications and precautions regarding all electrical stimulation, microcurrent presents little risk to the general population. Comfort-wise, your patient shouldn’t feel the current, allowing them to lie back, relax and enjoy the ease of this particular treatment.

REFERENCES


Curtis, D., Fallows, S., Morris, M., & McMakin, C. (2010). The efficacy of frequency specific microcurrent therapy on delayed onset muscle soreness. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 13(3), 272-279.

Mercola, J.M., & Kirsch, D.L. (1995). The basis for microcurrent electrical therapy in conventional medical practice. Journal for Advancement of Medicine, 8(2), 107-120.

Maenpaa, H., Jaakkola, R., Sandstrom, M., & Von Wendt, L. (2004). Does microcurrent stimulation increase the range of movement of ankle dorsiflexion in children with cerebral palsy? Disability and Rehabilitation, 26(11), 669-677.

Zuim, P. R. J., Garcia, A. R., Turcio, K. H. L., & Hamata, M. M. (2006). Evaluation of microcurrent electrical nerve stimulation (MENS) effectiveness on muscle pain in temporomandibular disorders patients. Journal of Applied Oral Science, 14(1), 61-66.

Does size really matter?

 Introducing You to Microcurrent:

       

Electrical therapy is one aspect of the Physiotherapist’s arsenal that is often overlooked; this may be due to cost, training, patients or confidence in the therapeutic properties. From a patient’s perspective, pain therapy or neuromuscular stimulation can be seen as effective because the patient can feel the electricity creating involuntary sensations and contractions in the body. What if the amplitude was so small the patient could not perceive the electricity flowing through them? Could healing be accelerated without the patient even feeling their treatment?

Application of microcurrent

Microcrurrent electrotherapy, as the name suggests involves the patient being treated with extremely small electrical currents in an attempt to illicit a physiological effect (Morgareidge & Chapman. 1990). Microcurrent therapy involves the use of low-intensity direction current stimulation that is generally applied with the aide of electrodes directly to the patient’s skin.  A number of possible mechanisms have been proposed to explain microcurrent’s beneficial effect on tissues. This includes the hypothesis that the current mimics that produced by an injured cell to stimulate a healing response of tissue repair and regeneration (Sugimoto et al., 2012), or, stimulation of the C-axons of the skin, which are sensitive to gentle touch and pressure, can also occur and result in feelings of pleasure and relaxation in the patient (Tan et al., 2006).

Simulated effects of microcurrent

Due to the gentle nature of the current, it can be used for many reasons on a variety of locations and systems throughout the body. Evidence has suggested it is useful in everything from pain relief and healing to motor re-education and neuron conductivity. For a more detailed explanation of evidence and uses please continue on to the quality and quantity of research section further on in this blog.

Application of microcurrent

Despite microcurrent being used for many decades the application, settings and safety is not known or understood by all practitioners.  So, before giving this form of eStim a crack, be

sure to read the rest of the blog to

learn all you need to know.



References:

                               

Morgareidge, K., & Chipman, R. (1990). Microcurrent Therapy. Physical Therapy Today, Spring, 50-53.

Sugimoto, M., Maeshige, N., Honda, H., Yoshikawa, Y., Uemura, M., Yamamoto, M., & Terashi, H. (2012). Optimum microcurrent stimulation intensity for galvanotaxis in human fibroblasts. [Evaluation Studies]. J Wound Care, 21(1), 5-6, 8,10; discussion 10-11.

Tan, G., Rintala, D. H., Thornby, J. I., Yang, J., Wade, W., & Vasilev, C. (2006). Using cranial electrotherapy stimulation to treat pain associated with spinal cord injury. [Randomized Controlled Trial Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.]. J Rehabil Res Dev, 43(4), 461-474.

 

Images:

http://www.east-westseminars.com/blog/2010/07/peripheral-neuropathy-treatment-video/      accessed 01/04/2012

http://www.patriciapilot.com/microcurrent-facial-microcurrent-face-lift-microcurrent-facelift-805-636-6522     accessed 01/04/2012

http://www.eileenhenry.com/articles/microcurrent.html       accessed 01/04/2012

http://drcarol.tripod.com/InfoPat/microcur.htm             accessed 01/04/2012