What Is Frequency Specific Microcurrent?
Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) is a revolutionary form of "bio-electric" therapy that dramatically increases the body's ability to heal and repair itself. It is a medical fact that every function in the human body is electrically based. Electricity made inside your cells provides the power for your body. Adding low (microamp) levels of electric current mimics the body's own electrical impulses (also in microamps) and can therefore help the body recuperate, promote pain relief, relax muscles, dissolve scar tissue and improve healing, all at greatly accelerated rates. In fact, animal experiments have shown that these benefits can occur up to 5 times faster with FSM than in control subjects.
How Does It Work/How Can It Benefit Me?
Injured tissue has a different electrical "finger print" or resonance than healthy tissue. Providing microcurrent energy whose frequency is specific to the tissue in question means it is in the correct "currency" that can be absorbed by those cells and used to repair themselves.
FSM improves communication between cells by increasing electrical conductivity, thereby reducing healing and recovery time. Another huge benefit of FSM is that when pain and inflammation are reduced quickly and naturally, so is the athlete's reliance on NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), which have been proven to cause kidney, liver and gastro-intestinal problems.
Does It Hurt?
FSM is painless; in fact you cannot even feel it. This is because the microamp current (millionths of an ampere) is below the stimulation threshold of sensory nerves. Typically, patients report feeling more relaxed, a heightened sense of well-being, softening of tense and tight muscles as well as a very pleasant feeling of warmth in the area treated.
Are There Side Effects?
Side effects occur in some, but not all patients and are related to a detoxification reaction brought about by increased cellular metabolism and the removal of long-stored waste products. They can include nausea, fatigue, drowsiness and achy muscles. If they do occur, they are minimal, transient and can be mitigated by being well hydrated before the treatment, drinking 2 quarts of water within 2 hrs. after FSM and taking a good quality antioxidant supplement.
How Long Does It Take?
Depending on the athlete's health condition, treatment can last from a few sessions to several months, with less frequency as the patient progresses. In most situations the changes seen are long-lasting, and in many cases, seem to be permanent. Each session is always tailored to suit the needs of the individual and typically takes 30-60 mins.
What Is The Difference Between FSM and Other Devices?
FSM works on a cellular level because its current is "in phase" with the body's own electrical impulses. In other words, it is physiologic in nature. Other devices such as TENS (trans-cutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) cannot heal on a cellular level because its current is 1000 times too large, so the current doesn't match, or resonate with the cells in a way that can invoke a healing response. As such, the use of TENS is limited to temporary pain relief.
It should be noted that early microcurrent devices (eg. Myomatic) are significantly different from FSM. For years, physiologic electric current has been used to speed up the rate of healing in injured athletes, control inflammation, increase the rate of fracture repair and treat myofascial pain and dysfunction. However, early devices allowed only a very limited number of frequency settings, and hence, treatment options. FSM is unique in that it can deliver a customized bio-electric therapy, tailor-made and targeted to the cells that need it most. FSM's advanced technology means we can treat a much broader repertoire of acute, sub-acute and chronic conditions.
FSM FACTS (references listed below)
Increases ATP (the body's own chemical energy) production by up to 500%
Increases protein synthesis by up to 70%
Increases cell transport of amino acids by up to 40%
Reduces fracture repair time by up to 50%
Enhances DNA synthesis, insulin binding, oxygenation, cellular repair, intracellular calcium uptake
and immune function
Reduces inflammatory chemicals in the blood which hastens pain relief
Remodels & transforms scar tissue
Helps restore depleted adrenal function (in stress, anxiety and/or "burn-out")
Increases feel-good endorphin levels
Enhances neuromuscular recovery rate between events
A WORD ABOUT CHIROPRACTIC
Chiropractic and Frequency Specific Microcurrent complement each other beautifully. FSM's ability to heal and transform both bony and soft tissues, combined with chiropractic's ability to restore and maximize biomechanical efficiency and structural integrity of the spine and peripheral joints have shown to be an extremely synergistic and potent combination. Addressing both of these areas is essential for anyone who is seriously committed to optimizing their athletic performance, as each is dependent on the other. In other words, the bony structure must work together with the soft tissues in a fully integrated and harmonious way if we are to be at our best. The nervous system is the communication bridge between the two. Correcting and then maintaining the proper function of the nervous system is the very essence of chiropractic.
Integration and harmony are disrupted with acute or repetitive exposure to physical, chemical or emotional stress that overwhelm the body's inherent adaptative mechanisms. This frequently results in subtle misalignments of the spine whose consequences are more far-reaching than we realize. Spinal misalignments stress the nerves as they make their exit between the spinal bones at the affected level. The result is that the transmission of nerve impulses between the brain and body become distorted. This is a problem since any part of the body can function only as well as the information it receives. Since athletic performance is often compromised well before symptoms arise, the athlete may, in the early stages of a problem, be unaware that something is amiss. Chiropractic's effect on the nervous system helps restore and maintain a seamless communication between bones and soft tissue. Numerous professional athletes know this and thus make chiropractic a regular part of their routine because they are always looking for that competitive edge.
It is a mistaken but commonly held belief that all chiropractic adjustments are delivered with manual (by hand), sometimes jarring rotational movements. In reality, modern-day chiropractic has long since evolved beyond this limited perception. Common sense and clinical experience tell us that a given adjusting method will not work equally well for everyone. At Sports Injury Solutions, we do not adhere to a "one size fits all" adjusting style, since each patient is unique. Instead, we tailor our gentle, precision techniques to the needs of the individual, and are highly skilled in both traditional and non-force methods.
In any event, it is better to be proactive and not wait for an injury in order to reap the benefits of chiropractic. Just like regular brushing and flossing protect the teeth and prevent their decay, consistent attention paid to ensuring and maintaining proper spinal function improves performance, prevents injury and promotes overall health.
SPORTS NUTRITION
In order to promote optimal performance and the shortest healing response time, it is essential to assess the athlete's metabolic "terrain" as it relates to his/her sports nutritional needs. To do this, we are introducing Bio-Impedance Analysis (BIA) at Sports Injury Solutions. This quick, inexpensive and non-invasive test provides us with a "snap-shot" of vital information regarding body composition and how an athlete's metabolism may be functioning at the cellular level, so that we can determine the unique nutritional requirements for each individual.
So, between FSM, whose current mirrors that which runs our cells, and Bio-Impedance Analysis, which assesses metabolism at the cellular level, our goal is to address the root cause(s) of a problem and not simply address the symptoms.
References
Cheng, N. et al. The Effect of Electric Currents on ATP Generation, Protein Synthesis, and Membrane Transport in Rat Skin. Clinical Orthopedics 1982;171:264-272.
Greenlee, C.W, Wing, T.W., D.C., N.D., L.Ac., Basic Microcurrent Therapy, Earthen Vessel Productions, Kelseyville, CA.
Oschman, James, Ph.D., The Scientific Basis of Energy Medicine, Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 10/96, 1/97. 4/97, 7/97, 10/97, 1/98
McMakin, Carolyn, M.A.,D.C. Non-Pharmacologic Treatment of Shingles Practical Pain Management
May, 2010.
Lennox, Arlene, Ph.D., et.al. Pilot Study of Impedance-Controlled Microcurrent Therapy for Managing Radiation-Induced Fibrosis in Head-and-Neck Cancer Patients Int. J. Radiation Oncology Biol. Phys., (2002) 54(1):23-34.
McMakin, Carolyn, M.A., D.C. Microcurrent Treatment of Myofascial Pain in the Head, Neck and Face. Topics in Clinical Chiropractic (1998) 5, 29-35.
McMakin, Carolyn, M.A., D.C., et al. Cytokine Changes with Microcurrent Treatment of Fibromyalgia Associated with Cervical Spine Trauma. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies (2005) 9, 169-176.
McMakin, Carolyn, M.A., D.C. Microcurrent Therapy: A Novel Treatment Method for Chronic Low Back Myofascial Pain. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies (2004) 8, 143-153.
Curtis, Denise, MSc., NMT, et.al. The efficacy of Frequency Specific Microcurrent Therapy on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies (2010) 10, 1-8.
Myers, Thomas, LMT Anatomy Trains Churchill Livingstone Edinburgh 2001.
Anyone wishing additional information about FSM may also visit: http://www.frequencyspecific.com
DISCLAIMER: This information is provided by Sports Injury Solutions for educational purposes only and has not been designed to diagnose, treat or cure any health conditions. Please consult a qualified Health Care Professional to diagnose your health conditions and avoid self-diagnosis. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration have not evaluated, approved or disapproved the science of Frequency Specific Microcurrent Therapy or any of the material in this website. No specific claims are made in relation to any health conditions, or the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of Frequency Specific Microcurrent Therapy.
Sports Injury Solutions is a sports medicine clinic that specializes in sports injury treatment, athletic injury treatment, sports injury rehabilitation, sports nutrition, chiropractic services, and more. They service a variety of areas in California; such as San Francisco, San Francisco Bay, San Rafael, Marin County, and more.
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