MPS Stimulation Combined with Physical Therapy Improves Outcomes

Rehab Report – Advancing the Science of Rehabilitation
Florida Hospital
Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine

Abstract

Background: Electrical stimulation (E-stim) in various forms has been a mainstay of physical medicine treatment for decades. In the 1960s when Melzack and Wall developed the Gate Control Theory explaining a possible scientific basis of E-stim, manufacturers began developing E-stim units for pain and other applications. Pomeranz and others in the mid-1970s theorized and showed the release of endorphins by E-Stim and acupuncture in pain relief, as well as their blockade with opiate antagonists. This further enhanced acceptance and use of these modalities in pain management. E-stim and pressure over motor/trigger points have been utilized for their ability to relax tightened, painful muscles. Acutherapy, or stimulation of acupoints, has been an ancient art of stimulating body points for their influence of specific forms of body tissue or at distal points that have a beneficial effect on proximal disorders.

MPS (Microcurrent Point Stimulation) is a hybrid modality utilizing concentrated, low frequency, DC current stimulation to acutherapy points, motor/trigger points and contracted motor bands. MPS has been reported to provide immediate pain relief, decrease muscle tonicity and accelerate tissue repair for musculoskeletal disorders. MPS was initiated as part of a physical therapy pain program with what appeared as impressive results. To further investigate whether MPS was indeed a more effective modality for use in our pain therapy program, we compared pain relief outcomes with MPS as part of their program to our prior, more traditional approach.

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