Do you sometimes feel like some of the pains in your body will never get better? For example, it could be a knee pain, a backache, or a shoulder pain that has been there for a long time. You have taken medicine, applied oils, and even done physiotherapy, but after this pain has subsided, it comes back. Only those who suffer from it know how difficult it is to live with such difficult-to-cure, long-lasting pain. So, today I thought I would talk about a relatively new, painless treatment method that can bring relief to such conditions. Let's see what this Frequency-Specific Microcurrent, or FSM for short, is.
Simply put, what is Frequency-Specific Microcurrent (FSM)?
Frequency-Specific Microcurrent (FSM) is a special technique used to treat pain in our bodies, especially in muscles, bones, and joints. It uses a very low-level electrical current to stimulate the painful tissues in our bodies.
Think of it like an electrical signal that 'talks' to the tissues in our body. This electrical current is delivered by a special device. The most important thing is the 'frequency' of this current. That is, the speed at which the electrical waves travel. In this treatment, different, tissue-specific frequencies are used to stimulate different types of tissue in our body (e.g., muscles, tendons, nerves).
The important thing is that FSM is not the primary treatment for any disease. However, it is a complementary medicine that can provide additional relief after primary treatment, especially for chronic conditions that are resistant to treatment.
Although research is still ongoing, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it as safe for human use. Also, it is non-invasive and painless. So, there is a good chance that you will get relief from this.
How does this FSM treatment actually work?
There are several ways that electrical stimulation can help relieve muscle and nerve pain. For example, some electrical treatments can help reduce pain by warming up muscles, loosening them, and reducing stiffness. You may have heard of a treatment called TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation). It works by changing the way pain signals are sent to the brain. FSM also changes pain signals, but proponents of FSM say it does more than that.
The basic principle of FSM is that by sending an electrical current at a specific frequency to a tissue in our body, we can reboot the healing process of that tissue. Think of it like restarting a computer that is 'frozen' and not working properly.
When the healing process is revived in this way,
- Reduces inflammation: Inflammation is a major cause of pain and swelling.
- Scar tissue begins to break down: Hardened scar tissue from old injuries can also cause pain and difficulty moving.
This can provide great relief from chronic injuries and chronic pain.
What types of medical conditions is FSM treatment beneficial for?
FSM therapy is most commonly used in a physical therapy setting, especially for musculoskeletal problems. This therapy helps manage pain and speed up recovery from injuries. The table below explains this further.
| Conditions for which FSM therapy is used | |
|---|---|
| Musculoskeletal conditions | |
| Arthritis | Joint inflammation and pain. |
| Fibromyalgia | Muscle pain spread throughout the body. |
| Myofascial pain syndrome | Pain caused by muscle knots (trigger points). |
| Sports injuries | Conditions such as muscle tears and sprains. |
| Tendinopathy | Tendon-related pain, such as tennis elbow. |
| Other situations | |
| Burns | To reduce pain, inflammation, and scarring caused by burns. |
| Chronic migraines | Headaches and related pains. |
| Shingles | Nerve pain following herpes zoster infection. |
| Kidney stones | Pain associated with kidney stones. |
What happens during treatment?
During an FSM treatment, your doctor or physical therapist uses a special battery-operated device to deliver this microcurrent to specific areas of your body. Before the device touches your skin, a wet towel or gel is placed on it to moisten it. Then, the device is set to the most appropriate frequency for your condition and the treatment begins.
The electrical current used in this is so low that it is only a millionth of an ampere. Therefore , you may not even feel this electrical current.
Sometimes, you may be advised to drink plenty of water before treatment. This is because staying well hydrated can help prevent minor side effects (such as dizziness and nausea) that may occur after treatment.
Are there any risks or side effects to this treatment?
There are no known serious risks associated with FSM treatment. However, in some cases, your doctor may not recommend this treatment for you out of an abundance of caution.
Side effects of the treatment are also very rare, very minor, and disappear after a while. They are similar to what some people feel after a good massage. This is because when the body's tissues are stimulated, waste products that have accumulated in them are released into the bloodstream.
| Risk factors and side effects | Description |
|---|---|
| Cases where treatment should not be done or extreme caution should be exercised | |
| People with pacemakers or other implanted pumps | For example: Insulin pumps. Because their functioning may be disrupted. |
| Pregnant mothers | Because safety during pregnancy has not been established. |
| People with conditions such as epilepsy (seizures) | Should only be done on medical advice. |
| Rarely occurring minor side effects | |
| Drowsiness | It may be caused by the body being relaxed. |
| Lightheadedness | It will pass in a short time. |
| Nausea | It is a very rare condition that does not occur often. |
How long does it take to see results?
Most people start to feel the effects of the treatment, such as reduced pain, right after the treatment. You and your doctor will soon see other signs of healing (reduced swelling, reduced muscle stiffness). How long these effects last depends on your condition. It could be a few days or longer. Some people may need several treatments to see good results.
As with many other complementary therapies, more research is needed to scientifically prove the results of FSM 100%. However, many doctors and physiotherapists around the world have seen very good results from this treatment in their patients.
For those suffering from intractable, chronic pain, treatments like FSM offer new hope for temporary or permanent relief. It's best to talk to your doctor about whether this type of treatment is right for you.
Take-Home Message
- FSM is a safe treatment: because it uses very low electrical current, it is painless, and no serious risks have been reported.
- This is an adjunctive treatment: FSM is a method used in addition to primary treatment, especially to provide relief from persistent pain.
- Results may vary from person to person: while some people experience immediate relief, others may require several treatments.
- Not suitable for everyone: This treatment may not be suitable if you have a pacemaker, are pregnant, or have conditions such as epilepsy.
- Medical advice is essential: Before starting any treatment, it is very important to ask your doctor if FSM treatment is suitable for you and if it will provide you with relief.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න