Microcurrent therapy: mechanism of action, technique, indications and contraindications

Microcurrent therapy (MTT) is one of the electrotherapeutic methods of affecting the human body, which uses a weak pulsed electric current in the range of 10 to 600 μA, with a frequency of 0.1-300 Hz. An indispensable condition for microcurrent therapy devices is the presence of two independent current generators of different frequencies, providing frequency interference and inversion of the polarity of the pulses. This avoids the effect of habituation of tissues to current action and achieves an increase of 40 ~ -60% in the efficiency of the electric pulse.

Mechanism of action

The therapeutic effect of electric current in medical practice has long been known. Previously it was believed that the use of current greater force should give better results This concept in the mid-1950s. Was challenged theorists and researchers of microcurrent therapy by Robert Becker and Bjom Nordsten (USA, 1958). It was shown that in any pathological process (trauma, inflammation, changes in physicochemical parameters in chronological and photoaging, etc.), the electrical potential of cell membranes varies. At the same time, a chaotic change in the electrical charges on the cell membrane is observed, a disruption in the ratio of the phases of the cell membrane operation - the "action potential" and "rest potential", and, as a consequence, the deceleration and discoordination of the K-Na and Ca robots. The electric current always goes along the path of least resistance, therefore, high-intensity electric impulses will bypass the injured cells and "work" on the surrounding healthy tissues, providing an indirect effect. At the same time, a small current can penetrate into the pathological focus, restoring the polarization of the cell membrane and the correct phase relationship "rest potential" - the "action potential" and thus normalizing the cells' work. Maintaining the membrane potential is necessary for the proper operation of ion channels, which are very sensitive to any change in it. In the phase of the "action potential" under the influence of microcurrents, the work of ion channels is activated: ions K \ Na ⁺, Ca ²⁺, Mg ²⁺, oxygen, nutrients begin to enter the cell . Ions of Ca ²⁺ are a catalyst for many enzymatic processes, increasing their intracellular concentration activates the synthesis of ATP and metabolic processes. According to the studies of N. Cheng (USA), conducted in 1982 on the skin of rats, it was shown that as a result of the action of microcurrent therapy with the use of current up to 600 μA, the synthesis of ATP increases by 500% (i.e., 6-fold) , I transport amino acids - by 30-40%. In the course of these same studies, it was found that when an electric current is applied to 1500-5000 μA (ie, 1.5-5 mA), the synthesis of ATP is significantly reduced.

The total positive effect of microcurrent therapy can be demonstrated in the following stages: the effect of microcurrents - restoration of the membrane potential of cells - the discovery of ion channels, including Ca ²⁺ channels, - an increase in the intracellular content of Ca ²⁺ - activation of Ca ²⁺ -dependent enzymes - (additional energy for intracellular metabolic processes) - synthesis of proteins, lipids, DNA. As a consequence, there is an acceleration of cell differentiation and tissue regeneration.

Indications:

• non-surgical correction of the face oval (muscular and skin lifting);
• care for oily, dry, fading skin of the face, neck, décolleté;
• care for hypersensitive skin of the face, neck, décolleté;
• treatment of seborrhea and acne;
• treatment of hyperpigmentation;
• treatment of atopic dermatitis;
• rehabilitation after plastic surgery;
• treatment of scars;
• lymphatic drainage;
• microcurrent disinfestation.

Method of conducting

The procedure of microcurrent therapy can consist of several stages, the main of which are "normalization", lifting, the introduction of biologically active substances, lymph drainage, exfoliation, etc. MT-lifting and lymph drainage are carried out by a course of 10-15 procedures, every other day. The effect of MT-lifting is most pronounced on the next day, since the muscles react to the MT effect on a slowly growing trajectory. In the future, the effect should be fixed, and this must be taken into account when appointing procedures.

[1], [2], [3], [4]