Microcurrent stimulation is a form of bio-electric stimulation. It has a long history of use in Western medicine. The most common uses have been in the treatment of problems with the muscles, joints, tendons, and bones. We’ve seen tremendous advances in this technology since the 1960s and a great increase in the understanding of the mechanisms of action of microcurrent stimulation therapies.
This technology is used extensively by Olympic and professional sports teams for the treatment of acute support injuries.It is also used by orthopedic surgeons for the treatment of nonhealing bone fractures. Plastic surgeons use it in special cases to reduce the amount of scarring that forms after plastic surgery, and there are new uses developed for the treatment of retinal disease and other diseases in the eye.
What is microcurrent stimulation?
It is the therapy that involves the application of a very precise, low current, tightly controlled electrical current to specific points on the body. The surface of the body is not uniform in terms of its electrical properties. There are specific points on the body which have very low resistance and these are chosen as the points of treatment to allow a deeper penetration of these low current stimulations. These points of low electrical resistance correspond with classical acupuncture points. Some of the points that are used with microcurrent stimulation are chosen because it has been demonstrated that there is a benefit to stimulation of these acupuncture points. The procedure is safe, noninvasive and painless.
What is the technology that is involved?
The technology is quite sophisticated and complex. When properly designed, the technology can effect electrical properties at the level of the cell membrane, resulting in an increase in the energy production of the cell by almost 1000%. Almost all of the centers that are using microcurrent stimulation therapy to treat retinal disease are using devices manufactured by MicroStim Technology.
Theirs is a constant current device which tightly controls the delivery of current over a wide range of resistances, incorporating some patented technology that allows these very low currents to penetrate deeply into the tissues being treated without causing harm. The trick is to provide a very low current stimulation but to do it in such a way that you are treating more than just the surface of the skin. There are many devices marketed as micro current stimulators which in reality are woefully inadequate for the treatment of retinal disease. Numerous people have come through this office reporting that their eyes were treated with microcurrent stimulation with no positive results. In further discussion it became clear they were actually treated with inadequate technology and when this was addressed they did respond positively to further treatment with an appropriate stimulator.
Please read some of the additional materials connected to this page for further information about microcurrent stimulation therapies. The topics in the menu bar are just a beginning. Please come back often as we add new material and research connected to this important and exciting technology.
See a more recent post on microcurrent stimulation HERE: (Post)
See our Podcast on microcurrent stimulation HERE: (Podcast)
