Frequency Specific Microcurrent is a new treatment system using micro-amperage current and the resonance effects of frequencies on tissues and conditions to create beneficial changes in symptoms and health. You may also hear people call this type of treatment FSM.
The History
The frequencies were developed in the early 1900’s and were used with funky looking electronic equipment. The practice fell out of use in the 1940’s. Microcurrent then came back as a battery-operated physical therapy modality in the 1980’s in Europe and the USA.
Dr. Carolyn McMakin developed FSM in 1995. She began using frequencies passed on from an osteopath in Canada, who had a practice that came with a machine made in the 1920’s. Dr. McMakin developed protocols for the treatment of myofascial pain in 1996. She presented her clinical data at the American Back Society national meeting in December 1997.
How Does it Work?
Frequency Specific Microcurrent is a system of treatment uses micro-amperage, similar to TENS. The FDA approved microcurrent in the category of TENS devices. This style of microcurrent technology which is like small “doses” of electrical energy uses very precise frequencies of energy applied to the body in sequence. Medical professionals determine the correct frequencies by direct observation of how the patient’s body responds. The treatment is usually provided by a chiropractor.
Frequencies are pulses per second measured in hertz. They can be sound waves or electronic pulses. The FSM frequencies are electromagnetic pulses from on two channels firing at the same time. Most microcurrent devices use square wave pulses because they prove to be more effective clinically.
The frequency thought to address or neutralize the condition is put on channel A. The frequency thought to address the tissue is put on channel B. The frequencies used in FSM are all less than 1000 Hz.
FSM Effectiveness
Effectiveness of FSM depends solely on an accurate diagnosis. Shoulder pain can come from muscles, tendons, bursa, discs, nerves or joints. FSM will treat all of these pain generators effectively. For example, if you are treating for shoulder muscle pain, and the shoulder pain is from nerves or the bursa, you may change the muscle but you won’t change the patient’s pain, since it is not coming from the muscle.
One of the ways FSM works is by possibly increasing the production of the substance ATP in injured tissues. ATP is the major source of energy for all cellular reactions in the body. Because treatment with FSM can increase ATP production by as much as 500% in target tissues, this may help with the recovery process. Depending on the condition, treatment with FSM can “loosen” or soften the muscles, which can help relieve pain and/or stiffness.
Is FSM For Everyone?
People who should not receive FSM treatment include those who have pacemakers, implanted pumps, or uncontrolled seizures, and women who are pregnant. Also, patients with cancer may also avoid treatment. Again, this is more as a caution instead of any known negative side effects. Consult your chiropractic practitioner to find out whether this applies to you.
What does FSM Treat?
FSM is especially effective at treating nerve and muscle pain, inflammation, and scar tissue. Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) offers exciting promise with working with tissues that are not responsive to conventional efforts, such as nerve pain, damaged nerves, nerve pain or am injury, scar tissue, adhesions, and the ability to facilitate healing of acute and chronic injuries.
There is evidence that it is effective in treating many injuries and chronic pain conditions such as soft tissues injuries, CFS and fibromyalgia to name a few. FSM is most often used to treat pain, especially nerve and muscle pain, inflammation, and scar tissue, from the following conditions:
Is frequency-specific microcurrent painful?
Treatment with FSM is non-invasive and painless. The FSM currents are so low that the patient often does not feel them. There have been reports of people perceiving the sensation as being “light or floaty” or slightly lightheaded (but not dizzy) and lasts only as long as the practitioner is using a frequency that is producing a positive effect on the patient. The “floaty feeling” response occurs not as a result of any particular frequency but in response to any frequency that resonates with the patient’s condition. During FSM treatment, patients may notice certain effects, including warmth and a softening of the target tissues. The side effects of FSM treatment are usually very rare and mild and may include nausea and drowsiness.
Using frequency-specific microcurrent
To treat a patient with FSM, the caregiver must ensure the patient has had enough to drink prior to treatment. Then, she or he sets the frequencies to the ideal levels for that condition. In many cases, the frequencies are set at two different levels; for example, one microcurrent channel might be set at 10 Hz, and the second at 40 Hz.
The technician will apply the current with a saturated towel or with skin patches. It’s very important for the patient to rink plenty of fluids before FSM treatment.
We use FSM to treat many ailments. It is a safe, painless procedure that can provide you with:
- relief from chronic and acute pain in the muscles and nerves
- treat discomfort from chronic conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia
- ease pain symptoms from headaches, broken bones and head injuries
If you’d like to learn more about using FSM or some of the other services we offer, please call today.
