Microcurrent for Fibromyalgia

Julian Whitaker, MD

We know that fibromyalgia is a common condition characterized by chronic, diffuse pain, and tender points, often accompanied by extreme fatigue and other complaints. Beyond that, it’s something of a mystery. There are no definitive blood tests for diagnosing this condition. We don’t know exactly what causes it, although it’s believed that something’s going on in the central nervous system to alter pain perception.

Sufferers rarely respond to the usual pain meds, and although antidepressants are often prescribed, they’re not particularly effective either. In recent years the FDA has approved medication specifically for treating fibromyalgia, but clinical trials show improvements in only one in four study participants—plus there’s a long list of adverse side effects, ranging from sleepiness and swelling of hands and feet to sometimes significant weight gain and concentration difficulties.

An Integrative Approach to Fibromyalgia

When a patient with fibromyalgia comes to the Whitaker Wellness Institute, we do not prescribe drugs. First, we check for potential underlying causes, such as heavy metal toxicity, hormone imbalances, and vitamin D deficiencies, which can cause a bone disorder called osteomalacia that mimics fibromyalgia’s aches and pains.

We then start patients on a nutritional supplement regimen to boost overall nutrient status, combined with targeted supplements such as coenzyme Q10, ribose, magnesium, and L-carnitine to improve cellular energy. In addition, we treatment them with therapies such as acupuncture, massage, reflexology and microcurrent.

Manage Pain With Microcurrent

Microcurrent is helpful for all types of chronic pain. During a typical session, you recline comfortably while a technician uses a device to deliver painless low-frequency currents to tender areas. These currents increase ATP production, stabilize cells, and reduce inflammation, resulting in sometimes remarkable pain relief. K.S., a nurse whose longstanding fibromyalgia limited the number of hours she was able to work, had tried virtually every therapy under the sun. She’d get relief for a while, but her pain and fatigue always returned—until she discovered FSM.

Granted, fibromyalgia is a difficult and often chronic condition, and there’s no one-size-fits-all treatment. However, results speak for themselves, and I am very encouraged by the results we’re getting at the clinic with targeted nutrients and microcurrent therapy.

Recommendations

• If you have fibromyalgia, ask your doctor to measure levels of vitamin D, hormones, and heavy metals.
• Suggested daily doses of the supplements discussed above are ribose, 10–15 g; L-carnitine, 500–1,000 mg; magnesium 500-1,000 mg, and coenzyme Q10, 200 mg. All should be taken in divided doses. To order, call (800) 810-6655.
• To schedule an appointment at Whitaker Wellness for evaluation and microcurrent therapy, call (866) 944-8253 or click here.

Reference

• McMakin CR, et al. Cytokine changes with microcurrent treatment of fibromyalgia associated with cervical spine trauma. Bodywork Movement Ther. 2005 Jul;9(3):169–176.

Modified from Health & Healing with permission from Healthy Directions, LLC. Photocopying, reproduction, or quotation strictly prohibited without written permission from the publisher. To subscribe to Health & Healing, click here.