Microcurrent Therapy and Its Effect on Joint Inflammations

Microcurrent therapy (MCR) is an innovative electrotherapy method based on the application of very low-intensity electrical currents. This treatment is widely used for pain relief and for managing joint inflammations. The aim of microcurrent therapy is to reduce inflammatory processes, promote tissue regeneration, and alleviate pain.

Mechanism of action of microcurrent therapy

Stimulation of cellular metabolism

The electrical impulses applied during microcurrent therapy stimulate cellular metabolism, increasing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels. ATP plays a key role in cellular energy supply and has antioxidant effects that help stabilize mitochondrial function (Korelo et al., 2016; , Kwon & Park, 2013). Through this mechanism, microcurrent therapy contributes to the reduction of inflammatory processes and to tissue regeneration.

Anti-inflammatory effect

The anti-inflammatory effect of microcurrent therapy is particularly important in chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Research has shown that microcurrent stimulation reduces levels of inflammatory mediators, thereby mitigating inflammatory responses and pain (Hadiprodjo et al., 2013; , Ciccone et al., 2013).

Fibroblast stimulation effect

Microcurrent therapy can also promote tissue regeneration by stimulating fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis (Belli et al., 2014).

Fibroblasts are the primary cells of connective tissue and play a central role in tissue regeneration and the management of inflammatory processes. Fibroblast stimulation induced by microcurrent therapy brings several benefits that support healing processes.

• Increased collagen synthesis. Activation of fibroblasts promotes increased collagen synthesis, which is essential for maintaining tissue integrity and for the healing process. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and forms the structural and elastic basis of tissues (Lee et al., 2010), (Passarini et al., 2012). Microcurrent therapy stimulates fibroblast activity, thereby increasing collagen production, which contributes to tissue regeneration and reduction of inflammatory conditions (Carvalho et al., 2010; , Lee et al., 2011).
• Stimulation of angiogenesis. Fibroblast stimulation not only boosts collagen synthesis but also promotes angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels. The development of new vessels improves tissue perfusion, enhancing the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to injured areas (Iijima & Takahashi, 2021; , Yi et al., 2021). Angiogenesis observed with microcurrent therapy contributes to accelerated healing and reduced inflammation (Somesh, 2024; , Anil et al., 2011).
• Anti-inflammatory action. By activating fibroblasts, microcurrent therapy can decrease levels of inflammatory mediators, helping to moderate inflammatory responses. Growth factors produced by fibroblasts, such as fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), play key roles in modulating inflammatory processes (Lee et al., 2011; , Labib, 2023). Through these effects, microcurrent therapy contributes to pain reduction and supports tissue healing.
• Tissue regeneration and rehabilitation. Fibroblast stimulation not only helps reduce inflammation but also promotes tissue regeneration. During microcurrent therapy, activated fibroblasts support tissue restoration and improvement of functional abilities (Puhar et al., 2011; , Noites et al., 2015). This is especially important in rehabilitation processes, where rapid tissue regeneration is essential to improve patients' quality of life.

The fibroblast stimulation and increased collagen synthesis induced by microcurrent therapy bring numerous benefits that aid in treating inflammatory conditions and in tissue regeneration. Through these mechanisms, microcurrent therapy can serve as an effective tool for pain relief and in rehabilitation processes.

Pain relief

Numerous clinical trials support the effectiveness of microcurrent therapy in treating joint pain.

For example, microcurrent stimulation produced significant pain reduction during rehabilitation after rotator cuff surgery, where patients' perceived pain decreased significantly after treatment (Yi et al., 2021; , Iijima & Takahashi, 2021). In addition, microcurrent therapy improved range of motion and functional abilities, which is particularly important for patients with joint inflammation.

Improvement of tissue blood supply

Alongside modulation of inflammatory responses, improved tissue perfusion has been observed with microcurrent therapy.

Microcurrent therapy stimulates circulation, which helps accelerate healing processes (Belli et al., 2014; , Neves et al., 2013). Increased blood supply aids delivery of nutrients and oxygen to damaged tissues, thereby promoting recovery.

Recommendation

Microcurrent therapy is a promising electrotherapy method that can be used effectively to treat joint inflammations and pain.

Continued research and wider use in clinical practice may help improve patients' quality of life and the management of inflammatory conditions.

Microcurrent therapy is not only suitable for pain relief but also for promoting tissue regeneration, and thus it may play an important role in future rehabilitative medicine.

Product recommendation: Devices for microcurrent therapy

Microcurrent therapy is one form of electrical treatment. MENS (microcurrent nerve stimulation) is one of the newest and most effective pain relief methods. Therapeutic microcurrent (MCR) provides an effective approach for treating musculoskeletal inflammations.

Click here to buy a device →

Sources

Korelo, R. I. G., Kryczyk, M., García, C. L. A., Naliwaiko, K., & Fernandes, L. C. (2016). Wound healing treatment by high frequency ultrasound, microcurrent, and combined therapy modifies the immune response in rats. Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy, 20(2), 133-141. https://doi.org/10.1590/bjpt-rbf.2014.0141

Kwon, D. R. and Park, G. Y. (2013). Efficacy of microcurrent therapy in infants with congenital muscular torticollis involving the entire sternocleidomastoid muscle: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Clinical Rehabilitation, 28(10), 983-991. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215513511341

Hadiprodjo, Y. G., Iskandar, A. A., & Nugraha, T. (2013). Design and construction of thermally combined microcurrent electrical therapy device as preliminary study for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. International Journal of E-Health and Medical Communications, 4(3), 53-67. https://doi.org/10.4018/jehmc.2013070104

Ciccone, C., Zuzzi, D. C., Neves, L. M. G., Mendonça, J. S., Joazeiro, P. P., & Esquisatto, M. A. M. (2013). Effects of microcurrent stimulation on hyaline cartilage repair in immature male rats (rattus norvegicus). BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-13-17

Belli, M., Fernandes, C. R., Neves, L. M. G., Mourão, V., Barbieri, R., Esquisatto, M. A. M., … & Mendonça, F. A. S. (2014). Application of 670 nm ingap laser and microcurrent favors the healing of second-degree burns in wistar rats. Laser Physics, 25(2), 025602. https://doi.org/10.1088/1054-660x/25/2/025602

Neves, L. M. G., Matheus, R. L., Santos, G. M. T. d., Esquisatto, M. A. M., Amaral, M. E. C. d., & Mendonça, F. A. S. (2013). Effects of microcurrent application and 670 nm ingap low-level laser irradiation on experimental wound healing in healthy and diabetic wistar rats. Laser Physics, 23(3), 035604. https://doi.org/10.1088/1054-660x/23/3/035604

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Passarini, J. R., Gaspi, F. d. G. d. O., Neves, L. M. G., Esquisatto, M. A. M., Santos, G. M. T. d., & Mendonça, F. A. S. (2012). Application of jatropha curcas l. seed oil (euphorbiaceae) and microcurrent on the healing of experimental wounds in wistar rats. Acta Cirurgica Brasileira, 27(7), 441-447. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0102-86502012000700002

Carvalho, P. d. T. C. d., Silva, I. S. d., Reis, F. A. d., Perreira, D. M., & Aydos, R. D. (2010). Influence of ingaalp laser (660nm) on the healing of skin wounds in diabetic rats. Acta Cirurgica Brasileira, 25(1), 71-79. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0102-86502010000100016

Bachamanda Somesh, D., Jürchott, K., Giesel, T., Töllner, T., Prehn, A., Richters, J., … & Müller, J. (2024). Microcurrent-mediated modulation of myofibroblasts for cardiac repair and regeneration. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(6), 3268. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25063268

Bachamanda Somesh, D., Jürchott, K., Giesel, T., Töllner, T., Prehn, A., Richters, J., … & Müller, J. (2024). Microcurrent-mediated modulation of myofibroblasts for cardiac repair and regeneration. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(6), 3268. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25063268

Catherine Moanis Labib, Prof Dr. Zakaria Mowafy Emam Mowafy, Prof. Dr. Ayman Abdel Samea Gaber, & Assist Prof. Dr. Khadra Mohamed Ali (2023). Post-mastectomy shoulder pain and lymphedema responses to ga-as laser versus microcurrent electrical stimulation. Journal of Advanced Zoology, 44(S7), 470-478. https://doi.org/10.17762/jaz.v44is7.2808