15.4 MICROCURRENT PROGRAMMES
Prog
Waveform
Hz
PW mS
Treatment default mins
1 Square
0.5
998
20
2 Saw
30
10
20
3 Manual
0.5-50 10-998 20
4 DC
/
/
20
max 99uA Ch1 only
Frequency: 0.5Hz 1Hz 1.5Hz 2Hz 3Hz 4Hz 5Hz to 50Hz
Pulse Width: 0.01-1 SECOND = 10-999 mS
Manual settings:
- Frequency: 0.5Hz 1Hz 1.5Hz 2Hz 3Hz 4Hz 5Hz to 50Hz
- Pulse Width: 0.01-1 SECOND = 10-999 mS
In Programmes 1, 2 & 3: PW≤ 1/2xFrequency
Treatment Time: 20 mins default
Intensity: 0-700uA in 10uA steps (Chen: Less than 750uA promotes ATP)
15.4.1 CHOOSING SETTINGS
For most conditions, use a low frequency 1-10 Hz, starting at 0.5Hz in programme P1.
A higher frequency up to 100 Hz may give faster results when treating inflammatory
problems (e.g. arthritis, tendonitis, etc.).
However, you should always follow this up with a short treatment at low frequency.
Set the current intensity level at the highest comfortable position. This is usually 500 to
600 μA, which most people can barely feel.
If you have a very sensitive condition like neuralgia, you can start with a very low current
- unlike TENS there is no lower threshold.
PREPARING FOR MICROCURRENT TREATMENT
To gain the best results make sure that you are in a relaxed position for the treatment.
Make sure you do not have tense muscles.
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15.4.2 HOW LONG SHOULD EACH SESSION LAST?
Start with 10 minutes, then pause to re-evaluate your pain. Stop treatment when the pain
is completely gone or when there is no further improvement. This could take an hour or
more. However, continuing to treat after the pain has gone may cause it to return. More
is not necessarily better when using microcurrent to relieve pain.
15.4.3 FOLLOW-UP
Although results will usually be seen immediately, in some people the effects will be
delayed, continuing to improve from several hours to over a day or two after the treatment.
In others, it may take several treatments before you start to see noticeable improvement.
The effects of microcurrent therapy are cumulative.
Use daily for 1-2 weeks, then switch to every other day.
15.4.4 PROBLEMS
While microcurrent therapy can provide a noticeable improvement on more than 90% of
users, it will not work for everyone. Where there appear to be no effects, try the following:
1) Increase your fluid intake. If you are dehydrated you may not respond well.
2) Some people who have had a significant exposure to strong electrical current may
be poor candidates for microcurrent therapy. If you have had a severe electric
shock in the past, or have used TENS for a long time, microcurrent may not work
as quickly for you. You may need prolonged treatment to gain results.
3) Microcurrent electrical therapy works through very small electrical flows in the
body. These can be affected by earlier surgical scars and traumatic injuries
some distance from the present pain. It is possible to clear the body of these
“blocks”. Try covering the scar with the electrodes or, on larger scars, putting
one electrode at each end, and treating for 10 minutes four days in a row.
As this treatment “unblocks” your body’s electrical flow, you may feel increased
energy and the pain may also temporarily increase. After treating the scar, allow
time to treat the painful area as well.
4) Try using a lower current setting of 100 μA for longer - an hour or more.
See the
Flexistim
page on
www.tenscare.co.uk
for some published references
for Microcurrent.
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