Microcurrent machines for fitness

[kevsta]

A local personal trainer here is big with high-tech gadgets, some of which are microcurrent based from what I can see, just wondered if anybody knows anything about this?

I was Googling a bit and read the wiki entry on electrotherapy,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrotherapy_(cosmetic)

the "scientific and medical communities have tended to sideline or dismiss the use of electrotherapy for healthy muscles".[6]

and also came across this site

http://www.patriciapilot.com/microc...urrent-pain-microcurrent-therapy-805-636-6522

..which makes some fairly strong claims which go against the grain of the usual fitness mantra "spot reduction is impossible" etc.

Microcurrent - The Body Electric

It has been theorized that healthy tissue is the result of the direct flow of electrical current throughout the body. Electrical balance is disrupted when the body is injured at a particular site, causing the electrical current to change course. The use of Microcurrent over the injured site is thought to realign this flow, thus aid in tissue repair. It's been found that ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) in the cell helps to promote protein synthesis and healing. The lack of ATP due to trauma of the tissue results in the decreased production of sodium and an increase in metabolic wastes, which is perceived as pain. The use of Microcurrent at an injured area helps to realign the body’s electrical current, increase the production of ATP, resulting in increased healing and recovery, as well as blocking the pain that is perceived.

Microcurrent Technology

Microcurrent technology is a product of electrophysiology (study of the electrical properties of cells). Modern science recognizes that the body is electrically wired; that our cells generate electricity. These currents are measurable and our health depends upon the ability of current to flow freely through our body. The process of healing begins on a cellular level and microcurrent allows the cells to regain their natural energy flow restoring health

Microcurrent Therapy

With microcurrent therapy, ATP production increases by 500%. ATP is the primary molecule our bodies use to produce energy and is found in every cell of the body. Scientists have found that ATP production increased 500% after microcurrent therapy was administered. Also protein synthesis and amino acid transport were increased; all speeding up healing time..

does it do this with ATP as claimed? any doctors in the house?

obviously energy flow is usually a woo warning but when were talking about applying an electric current of our own, maybe this is an exception?

that site also mentions "balancing energy meridians", so of course I'm dubious, but then here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcurrent_electrical_neuromuscular_stimulator

it says this

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 Becker concluded in part that. “At most acupuncture points on most subjects, there were greater electrical conductance maxims than at control sites.” [4]

which is kind of what she's saying here

Microcurrent For Body Pain & Injury - Needle-Free Acupuncture

Microcurrent is an electrical treatment modality providing current in millionths of an ampere that has been used extensively by injured athletes for decades to increase the rate of healing and eliminate pain. It is a choice now available to eliminate your symptoms without using needles. The same acupuncture point prescrpitions can be used.

and my usual fallback - the quackometer is inconclusive

The black duck says...

This web site is using serious amounts of quack medicine terms. It is full of scientific jargon that is out of place and probably doesn't know the meaning of any of the terms. However, it shows some sceptical awareness - but proceed with care. It also looks like this site is trying to sell stuff. Buyer Beware!

This site has a has a currently measurable quackery content of 4 Canards

informed thoughts please?

 

[Goshawk]

Microcurrent is an electrical treatment modality providing current in millionths of an ampere that has been used extensively by injured athletes for decades to increase the rate of healing and eliminate pain.

A TENS unit?

 

[kevsta]

A TENS unit?

maybe? its this machine they are using http://www.loncego.sk/

http://www.loncego.sk/sites/default/files/cont_img_5267_kopie_web_0.jpg

the site is in Slovakian, heres google translate

Thanks to scientific research initiatives by the muscle electrotherapeutic, (nízkofrenkvenčných?) current pulses, can be a time when doing 2-times a week for 20 minutes to achieve surprisingly good results.
HIGH-TECH training is truly extraordinary workout for body and soul. This type of training does not focus only on specific improvements, but strengthens and stimulates the entire body, leading to better performance, and mainly provides
visible results for beginners, people with weight problems and move up to professional athletes.

and heres the trainer's claims for it from their website - English is not their first language

EMS TRAINING WITH US GIVES YOU SERVERAL REMARKABLE BENEFITS:

*Enhanced fat metabolism
*Quick muscle build
*Cellulite reduction
*Pain reduction & elimination

Most proven technique on the market

 

[Bikewer]

I know that professional athletes are using direct muscle stimulation both to build strength and treat injury, but this sounds like woo...

 

[Fishstick]

This doesn't appear to be any different than those TV-shop electro-pads for 'muscle building' that just give you low-voltage/amp shocks that makes your muscles contract/relax.

 

[kevsta]

I know that professional athletes are using direct muscle stimulation both to build strength and treat injury, but this sounds like woo...

yes I know it does, which is why Im asking for *informed* opinions, but thanks anyway

This doesn't appear to be any different than those TV-shop electro-pads for 'muscle building' that just give you low-voltage/amp shocks that makes your muscles contract/relax.

I have never seen the adverts, recent ones? my mother had something like this when I was a child, I expect its moved on a bit since then.

I cant find any counter-claims or authoritative debunking, and that's what I want if possible.

the trainers in question also use that vibro platform nonsense as well, in combination with the electro suit

 

[AdMan]

This doesn't appear to be any different than those TV-shop electro-pads for 'muscle building' that just give you low-voltage/amp shocks that makes your muscles contract/relax.

I have never seen the adverts, recent ones? my mother had something like this when I was a child, I expect its moved on a bit since then.

I cant find any counter-claims or authoritative debunking, and that's what I want if possible.

the trainers in question also use that vibro platform nonsense as well, in combination with the electro suit

If this is similar to other "electrical muscle stimulators," the US FDA has an alert about them:

Reason for Alert:
The use of these electrical devices in health clubs, beauty salons and figure salons has been increasing for several years. While there are legitimate uses for both muscle stimulators and iontophoresis devices, they are prescription devices and are misbranded when labeled for lay use. In addition, muscle stimulators are misbranded when any of the following claims are made: girth reduction, loss of inches, weight reduction, cellulite removal, bust development, body shaping and contouring, and spot reducing.

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cms_ia/importalert_240.html

 

[Fishstick]

yes I know it does, which is why Im asking for *informed* opinions, but thanks anyway



I have never seen the adverts, recent ones? my mother had something like this when I was a child, I expect its moved on a bit since then.

I cant find any counter-claims or authoritative debunking, and that's what I want if possible.

the trainers in question also use that vibro platform nonsense as well, in combination with the electro suit

The principle is the same, they just keep reinventing the concept. Ab pads with currents for SIXPAX, butt pads for BUNS OF STEEL, etc. All of course without any effort. I can't think of the name of one of them, but some googling turns up "Contour Abs" and "Slendertone ab belt" as examples. The actual design and workings haven't changed in decades, they just get fancier controls and looks.

There's hundreds of variations and brands, but it's all just electric impulses to make muscles contract. Usually they're sold as a replacement for actual effort workouts, so the 'healing' angle is new.

 

[kevsta]

If this is similar to other "electrical muscle stimulators," the US FDA has an alert about them:

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cms_ia/importalert_240.html

this is perfect, thanks all.

 

[EHocking]

kevsta, does the puddy tat in your avatar have one of these under its hat?

 

[kevsta]

kevsta, does the puddy tat in your avatar have one of these under its hat?

.. do you think that's why he's gyrating?

 

[Modified]

The principle is the same, they just keep reinventing the concept. Ab pads with currents for SIXPAX, butt pads for BUNS OF STEEL, etc. All of course without any effort.

I tried one of these once, twenty years ago, and I can tell you it feels no different than tensing the muscle voluntarily. You still get tired eventually and sore the following day. I guess you can't really call it "effort" since the contractions are involuntary, but it is not without any discomfort.

 

[MsTwidge]

So this thread is somewhat old, but I did want to thank you all for the helpful link to the FDA nastygram about microcurrent machines.

I am currently studying to become an aesthetician and was put in the rather uncomfortable position this past week of having to explain in great detail why I was calling shenanigans on the Diamond Medi-Lift - apparently "logical reasoning" was not an acceptable response!
I'm not sure my peers will ever forgive me for raining all over their "fat dissolving" parade.

Thanks for the helpful input, guys and gals