Microcurrent Flashcards
Examples of electromagnetic spectrum (medium frequency current)
Interferential therapy (IFT)
Examples of electromagnetic spectrum (high frequency current)
Shortwave diathermy, microwave
What are the alternative terms of microcurrent?
- Low intensity direct current (LIDC)
- Microamperage Stimulation
- Microelectrical neuromuscular stimulation (MENS)
- Low-volt pulsed microamp stimulation
Therapeutic Uses of microcurrent (5 points)
- Wound healing
- Promote tissue healing (soft tissue)
- Pain control ~ to TENS but lower current
- Acute soft tissue injury
- Treating Trismus
Trismus
Tightness over TMJ
Side effect after radiotherapy (e.g. Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma NPC)
Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma NPC
鼻咽癌
Parameters of microcurrent
Output current: 10-600 microamplitude (uA) Constant current generator Biphasic or monophasic Frequency: 1-990 Hz Power source: alkaline battery Max output voltage: 50-60V peak DC Pulse width: ~50-150 microsecond (usec)
Current intensity of microcurrent
10-600 uA
Max: 600 uA = 0.6 mA
Current intensity of TENS
0-100 mA
Max: 100 mA (may have pain)
Function of constant current generator
Used in mobile technique (moving around on skin)
» help to maintain a stable current
As the resistance may change significantly at different area (e.g. May move to a point with superficial blood vessels)
» current may increase or decrease suddenly
Bioelectricity
Every cell maintain a voltage across its external membrane, and across the membranes
(Among organelles, V changes)
Aggragates of cells also setvup voltage across various tussue layers
Involved in the transport through the membrane of ions that influence cell healing
Does gate control theory applied to microcurrent?
No. As the intensity is too low (0.6mA)
|»_space; No actually feeling on the patient
Robert O. Becker — The Body Electric
Human body:
Central spinal axis: polarized positively
Peripheral: polarized negatively
Biological current: 10-20 uA (all tissues)
» for cellular regeneration and repair
Injury: balance of postive and negative poles is disrupted
» positive charge builds up in the injury area
Potential mechanism of microcurrent (a kind of direct current DC)
Cellular:
> boost the no. of organelles responsible for cellular
activity
> increase conc. of ATP
»_space; increase cellular energy
»_space; facilitates cell proliferation and protein
synthesis (important to repairing process)
Tissue level: > promote vascular permeability >> WBC can come out > Angiogensis > neural sprouting > formation of new skin, bone, cartilage, and soft tissue
Restore biological electrical balance
» facilitate tissue healing and subsequently pain
control
*** assume tissue healing and pain are related
Angiogensis
Growth of new small blood vessels
Effect of negative pole
Vasodilation
» not for acute painful nerves(more of chronic case)
More effective for bone and nerve repair
Softening of scar tissue, adhesions
Effect of positive pole
Vasoconstriction
» used in acute swelling
Used for acute inflammation
>> positive charge accumulated
(traffic jam)
>> positive pole channel the positive
ions and clear up the injuried area
Sedate acute nerve roots or acute trigger points
*** Can be used in later phase of wound healing (e.g. Chronic oedema)
Rationale of Rx microcurrent
Choosing Polarity (+/-)
As Acute injury:
» positive charge built up
» sets up voltage potential different
at the area
Need to restore the biological current back to 10-20 uA
>> good for cellular regeneration and
repair
>> speed up and enhance the body
immune system
Methods of application of microcurrent
- Point of stimulation
- Search and treat:
> high conductance points
> acupuncture points
> trigger points
> “ah-shi” points - “Swirl the dragon”
- Golgi tendon organ GTO
technique - Enhancement of tissue repair
ETR technique
- Search and treat:
- electromassage
- Unattended treatment woth
electrode pads - Combination technique
Swirl the dragon
Doing myofascia relief by massaging with probe electrodes
Electromassage
Combine electrical stimulation with manual technique
E.g. Mobilisation, friction massage, myofascial release, acupressure
Combine technique
IFT, contract relax, motion, stretching, hydrotherapy
Advantages of microcurrent
Can be used over metal implant
Enhance tissue healing
» treating the condition, not just symptomatic relief
Can be used in sensitive patients
> using sub-sensory stimulation
»_space; as no feeling during the Rx
No muscle contraction is expected
Disadvantages of microcurrent
Hard to convince patient
> as no or minimal sensation
Less placebo effect
> as such a small amount of current
Therapeutic effect not substantiated
Not for mm strengthening or re-education
Contraindications of microcurrent
Electronic demand-type cardiac pacemaker
Cancer
» may stimulate neoplastic cells
Pregnancy
Epilepsy
» transcerebral stimulation
Cardiac problems
» transthoracic stimulation
Areas with tendency to haemorrhage
Choice of parameters
Higher settings: 200-600 uA Above 30 Hz Sharp ramp time More immediate analgestic effects
Lower settings: 10-100 uA 0.3 Hz - 10 Hz Gentle ramp time More carry-over effect to 24-48hrs
Total Rx time
10-60 mins
Varied by techniques or choice of electrode
>> pad electrode: current density
decreases, can use for a longer
time
>> Probe: current density increases,
less Rx time (in terms of second
or a minute)
Depends on:
Therapeutic effects
Stage of injury
Individual response to Rx
Examples of electromagnetic spectrum (low frequency current)?
TENS, microcurrent, Functional Electrical Stimulation, magnetic therapy
