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

Microcurrent therapy (MCT) is one of the electrotherapeutic methods of influencing the human body, which uses a weak pulsed electric current in the range from 10 to 600 μA, with a frequency of 0.1-300 Hz. A mandatory 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 pulses. This allows you to avoid the effect of tissue habituation to current exposure and achieve an increase in the efficiency of the electric pulse by 40~-60%.

Mechanism of action

The therapeutic effect of electric current in medical practice has been known for a long time. Previously, it was believed that the use of a current of greater strength should give better results. This concept was challenged in the mid-1950s by theorists and researchers of microcurrent therapy Robert Becker and Bjøm Nordsten (USA, 1958). It was shown that in any pathological process (trauma, inflammation, change in physicochemical parameters during chronological and photoaging, etc.) the electric potential of cell membranes changes. In this case, a chaotic change in electrical charges on the cell membrane, a violation of the ratio of the phases of the cell membrane - "action potential" and "resting potential" are observed, and, as a result, slowing down and discoordination of the K-Na and Ca work. Electric current always follows the path of least resistance, therefore, high-intensity electrical impulses will bypass injured cells and "work" on the surrounding healthy tissues, providing an indirect effect. At the same time, a small current is able to penetrate into the pathological focus, restoring the polarization of the cell membrane and the correct ratio of the phases "resting potential" - "action potential" and thus normalizing the work of the cells. Maintaining the membrane potential is necessary for the correct operation of ion channels, which are very sensitive to any change in it. In the "action potential" phase, under the influence of microcurrents, the work of ion channels is activated: ions K Na ⁺, Ca ²⁺, Mg ²⁺, oxygen, and nutrients begin to enter the cell. Ca ²⁺ ions are a catalyst for many enzymatic processes; an increase in their intracellular concentration activates the synthesis of ATP and metabolic processes. According to the research data of N. Cheng (USA), conducted in 1982 on rat skin, it was shown that as a result of the action of microcurrent therapy using a current strength of up to 600 μA, ATP synthesis increases by 500% (i.e. 6 times), and amino acid transport by 30-40%. In the course of these same studies, it was established that when exposed to electric current up to 1500-5000 μA (i.e. 1.5-5 mA), ATP synthesis decreases significantly.

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

Indications:

• non-surgical correction of the facial contour (muscle and skin lifting);
• care for oily, dry, aging 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;
• scar treatment;
• lymphatic drainage;
• microcurrent desincrustation.

Methodology of implementation

The microcurrent therapy procedure may consist of several stages, the main ones being "normalization", lifting, introduction of biologically active substances, lymphatic drainage, exfoliation, etc. MT-lifting and lymphatic drainage are carried out in a course of 10-15 procedures, every other day. The effect of MT-lifting is most pronounced the next day, since the muscles react to MT-impact along a slowly increasing trajectory. In the future, the effect should be consolidated, and this must be taken into account when prescribing procedures.

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