Editing Microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulator

{{Short description|Device for sending small electrical pulses into the body}}
A '''microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulator''' or  '''MENS''' (also '''microamperage electrical neuromuscular stimulator''') is a device used to send weak electrical signals into the body. Such devices apply extremely small [[microamp]] [μA] electrical currents (less than 1 [[milliampere]] [mA]) to the tissues using electrodes placed on the skin. One microampere [μA] is 1 millionth of an ampere and the uses of MENS are distinct from those of "TENS" which runs at one milliamp [mA] or one thousandth of an amp.

== Uses ==
MENS uses include treatments for pain,<ref>{{cite journal|last=McMakin|first=CR|title=Microcurrent Therapy: A novel treatment method for chronic low back myofascial pain|journal=Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies|date=April 2004|volume=8|issue=2|pages=143–153|url=http://www.frequencyspecific.com/papers/LumbarPainJBMT.pdf|doi=10.1016/j.jbmt.2003.12.006|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517152938/http://www.frequencyspecific.com/papers/LumbarPainJBMT.pdf|archivedate=2014-05-17}}</ref> [[diabetic neuropathy]],<ref>{{cite journal|last=Park|first=RJ|author2=Son, H |author3=Kim, K|title=The Effect of Microcurrent Electrical Stimulation on the Foot Blood Circulation and Pain of Diabetic Neuropathy|journal=Journal of Physical Therapy Science|year=2011|volume=23|issue=3|pages=515–518|url=http://astp.jst.go.jp/modules/search/DocumentDetail/0915-5287_23_3_The%2BEffect%2Bof%2BMicrocurrent%2BElectrical%2BStimulation%2Bon%2Bthe%2BFoot%2BBlood%2BCirculation%2Band%2BPain%2Bof%2BDiabetic%2BNeuropathy_N%252FA|doi=10.1589/jpts.23.515|display-authors=etal|doi-access=free}}</ref> age-related [[macular degeneration]], wound healing, [[tendon]] repair, [[plantar fasciitis]]<ref>{{cite journal|last=Cho|first=MS|author2=Park, RJ |author3=Park, SH|title=The effect of microcurrent-inducing shoes on fatigue and pain in middle-aged people with plantar fasciitis|journal=Journal of Physical Therapy Science|year=2007|volume=19|issue=2|pages=165–170|url=http://astp.jst.go.jp/modules/search/index.php?page=DocumentDetail&journalId=0915-5287_19_2_The+Effect+of+Microcurrent-Inducing+Shoes+on+Fatigue+and+Pain+in+Middle-Aged+People+with+Plantar+Fascitis_N%2FA|doi=10.1589/jpts.19.165|display-authors=etal|doi-access=free}}</ref>  and ruptured [[ligament]] recovery.  Most microcurrent treatments concentrate on pain and/or speeding healing and recovery.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Lambert|first=MI|author2=Marcus, P |author3=Burgess T |title=Electro-membrane microcurrent therapy reduces signs and symptoms of muscle damage|journal=Med Sci Sports Exerc|date=April 2002|volume=34|issue=4|pages=602–607|doi=10.1097/00005768-200204000-00007|pmid=11932567|doi-access=free}}</ref> It is commonly used by professional and performance athletes with acute pain and/or muscle tenderness as it is drug-free and non-invasive, thus avoiding testing and recovery issues. It is also used as a [[Electrotherapy (cosmetic)|cosmetic treatment]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.prohealthcareproducts.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-transcutaneous-electrical-nerve-stimulation-tens-and-microcurrent-electrical-nerve-stimulation-mens/|title=What is the Difference Between Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Microcurrent Electrical Nerve Stimulation (MENS)}}</ref>

== History ==
The body's electrical capabilities were studied at least as early as 1830, when the Italian [[Carlo Matteucci]] is credited as being one of the first to measure the electrical current in injured tissue. Bioelectricity received less attention after the discovery of [[penicillin]], when the focus of medical research and treatments turned toward the body's chemical processes.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Robert O. Becker, M.D.  |author2=Gary Selden |title=The Body Electric: Electromagnetism And The Foundation of Life |pages=17–21 }}</ref> Attention began to return to these properties and the possibilities of using very low current for healing in the mid-1900s. In a study published in 1969, for example, a team of researchers led by L.E. Wolcott applied microcurrent to a wide variety of wounds, using [[negative polarity]] over [[lesion]]s in the initial phase, and then alternating application of positive and negative [[electrode]]s every three days. The stimulation current ranged from 200 to 800 uA and the treated group showed 200%-350% faster healing rates, with stronger [[tensile strength]] of scar tissue and antibacterial effects.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Wolcott LE, Wheeler PC, Hardwicke HM, Rowley BA |title=Accelerated healing of skin ulcer by electrotherapy: preliminary clinical results |journal=Southern Medical Journal |issue=7 |pages=795–801 |year=1969 |pmid=5306004 |volume=62 |doi=10.1097/00007611-196907000-00008}}</ref> 

In 1991, the German scientists Drs. [[Erwin Neher]] and [[Bert Sakmann]] shared the [[Nobel Prize]] in Physiology or Medicine for their development of the [[patch-clamp technique]] that allows the detection of minute electrical currents through [[cell membrane]]s. This method allowed the detection of more than 20 different types of [[ion channel]] which permit positive or negatively charged ions to cross the cell membrane, confirming that cellular electrical activity is not limited only to nerve and muscle tissues.{{cn|date=November 2018}}

== Efficacy ==
A study by a neuroretinologist in the late 1980s suggested that microcurrent stimulation of acupuncture points for the eye had positive effects in slowing and even stopping progression of macular degeneration.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} This treatment is used to treat both the Wet and Dry forms of AMD. This study was based on Ngok Cheng's research on the increased amounts of ATP levels in living tissue after being stimulated with microcurrent.<ref>{{cite journal  |vauthors=Cheng N, Van Hoof H, Bockx E, etal |title=The effects of electric currents on ATP generation, protein synthesis, and membrane transport of rat skin |journal=Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. |issue=171 |pages=264–72 |year=1982 |pmid=7140077 }}</ref>

== Mechanisms of action ==
While the mechanisms of efficacy are not well established, a few studies have shown that there may be a correlation between the traditional Chinese medical system of acupuncture and microcurrent. A study published in 1975 by Reichmanis, Marino, and [[Robert O. Becker|Becker]] concluded in part that. "At most acupuncture points on most subjects, there were greater electrical conductance maxims than at control sites."<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Reichmanis M, Marino AA, Becker RO |title=Electrical correlates of acupuncture points |journal= IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering |issue=Nov;22(6) |pages=533–5 |year=1975 |pmid=1184029 |volume=22 |doi=10.1109/tbme.1975.324477|s2cid=27966221 }}</ref>

== Manufacturers ==
Many companies manufacture microcurrent devices for both professional and personal use,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://myotone.com/|title=Myotone {{!}} Microcurrent Facial Lifting, Toning, Wrinkle Reduction {{!}} Microcurrent, facial toning, wrinkle reduction and anti-aging device by Myotone. {{!}}|website=myotone.com|access-date=2018-12-12}}</ref>{{cn|date=November 2018}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mynuface.com/|title=NuFACE: Microcurrent Facial Toning Devices|website=www.mynuface.com|access-date=2018-12-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Microcurrent and Anti-Shock System {{!}} FOREO |url=https://www.foreo.com/bear-collection |access-date=2023-11-09 |website=www.foreo.com |language=en}}</ref> and microcurrent stimulation is used as a "complementary" veterinary modality.<ref>{{cite book |author=  Deborah Powell |title=MicroCurrent for Horses (and other vital therapies you should know) |pages=15–84 }}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Acupuncture]]
* [[Electrical muscle stimulation]]
* [[Electroacupuncture]]
* [[Macular degeneration]]
* [[Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation]]
* [[TENS]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Medical equipment]]
[[Category:Electrotherapy]]
[[Category:Bioelectromagnetic-based therapies]]