Technology

ATP (adenosine triphosphate) molecules are the storage and distribution vehicles for energy in the body. The breakdown of ATP into ADP yields energy. It is the cleaving of the phosphate bond that yields the energy. This energy is utilized in almost all energy related cellular reactions. In addition to being integral to the function of virtually every cell in our body, we may also look at ATP function by categories of activity.

Such essential functions include:
1) muscle contraction;
2) protein biosynthesis;
3) nerve transmission; and
4) active transport across cell membranes.

In muscle contraction, the process occurs as such: each muscle spindle is composed of muscle fibers. Inside the muscle fibers are many muscle fibrils. These muscle fibrils are suspended in a fluid matrix called sarcoplasm. Suspended in the sarcoplasm are thousands and thousands of mitochondria, which contain large amounts of ATP.

It is ATP that energizes the muscle contraction process by the ATPase activity of the exposed myosin head. When ATP is exposed to the myosin head, it is cleaved and energy is released. It should be noted that along with ATP, magnesium is very necessary in ATP energy releasing reactions. Before ATP can become "active ATP," magnesium must bind between the second and third phosphate. Clinically, magnesium deficiency may be related to such conditions as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Synthesis of almost any chemical compound requires energy. That energy is ATP, which is critically important to the biosynthesis of proteins, phospholipids, purines, pyrimidines and hundreds (if not thousands) of other substances. We will take ATP involvement in protein synthesis as a case in point: a single protein may be composed of many thousands of amino acids. It takes the breakdown of four high- energy phosphate bonds to link two amino acids together.

Maximally, two ATP could serve as energy to join two amino acids together, so if our protein is composed of 10,000 amino acids, it may take 20,000 ATP to form just this one protein. It should also be noted that the amino acids themselves utilize ATP indirectly as they are first co-transported into the cells.

ATP is necessary for nerve transmission. Nerve transmission entails the release of nerve transmitter substance from the presynaptic terminal into the synaptic cleft, which simply put is a space between one nerve and another. The nerve transmitter substance spans the cleft and attaches to the receptor of the other cell. The nerve transmitter substance must be constantly formed anew in the presynaptic terminal for future release; the energy for this formation is supplied by ATP. There are many mitochondria in the presynaptic terminal to form and store the ATP for this process. The formation of ATP will be discussed later in relation to the stimulatory effects of microcurrent.

At the post-synaptic terminal, the next nerve cell down the line, it is through active transport of sodium, potassium and calcium that concentration differences across the nerve cell membrane cause nerve firing and propagation of nerve signals to travel to the next presynaptic terminal. These concentration gradients could not be accomplished without ATPase active transport across nerve cell membranes.

Active transport is brought about by the energy release of ATP in the breakdown of its phosphate bonds.

Active transport is a means of getting molecules across the cell membrane, either into or out of the cell, against a concentration gradient. That concentration gradient may be electrical or a pressure gradient. Sodium, potassium, calcium, glucose, amino acids and many other compounds are transported this way.

To summarize, ATP is the energy currency for our bodies. In reality, virtually every cytological, histological and physiological process is ATP-mediated, which makes ATP clinically important. While our bodies in theory can produce all the ATP we need, the fact is that it doesn't.

Microcurrent stimulation between 200-800 microamps is a way of supercharging the tissue with ATP, which will reside there until needed. By this means, much of the research that shows a 200% increase inhealing rate can be explained as it applies to hundreds of conditions. In a clinical sense, any healing process takes a great deal of ATP and may be accelerated through a means of increasing ATP in the tissue. Microcurrent stimulation accomplishes this by increasing ATP in the tissue by up to 400%.

Microcurrent stimulation to the body causes radically increased production of ATP levels. This allows the body to perform whatever healing process it has undertaken in an accelerated fashion. It may even allow one to get over the proverbial "hump" that was unachievable, due to insufficient ATP concentrations to perform the changes needed.

ATP is the dynamic reservoir of energy in our body. Glucose serves as a more long-term reservoir but in itself does relatively little to fuel the body. Glucose is first converted to ATP. ATP is the storage and distribution vehicle for energy. From the moment an ATP molecule is produced, it is typically consumed within one minute.

The turnover rate for ATP is very high. However, the body does have a vast capacity to store ATP. One can build ATP reserves. This is one reason that, unlike other forms of electric therapy such as interferential, or higher amperage TENS and galvanic, microcurrent stands unique in that it has a cumulative effect, rather than a diminishing effect. Other electric stimulation devices decrease ATP levels.

Moreover, these devices cannot even be thought of in the realms of ATP generation. It has been shown that any stimulation over 1,000 microamps causes plateauing and then reduction in ATP. Microcurrent therapy, which is used from one to usually 600 uA clinically, is the modality of choice for increased tissue healing. Research and clinical trials have shown that with microcurrent stimulation, there is a 40-50% reduction in healing time of ulcers and sprain/strains; fractures heal faster and stronger; and that even bad scarring (keloid scars) remodel to become a healthier, stronger scar. Other ATP related microcurrent stimulatory effects include decreased inflammation, edema and swelling, and increased physical endurance in sports.

Clinically, microcurrent stimulation is not at all limited to its effects of increased ATP production in its capacity as a treatment modality, but its effects to reduce injury healing time in half are truly dramatic. The mechanism for increased ATP production from microcurrent electric stimulation can be explained. In the following text, its mechanism, from the grosser external application down to the molecular level, is revealed.

A microcurrent instrument delivers a direct current (DC), and so the nature of its electrical flow is the same.

Of more clinical relevance is what takes place at the anode and the cathode rather than the circuit itself. Around the cathode, which is negative, is an environment of negative hydroxyl ions (OH-). This is caused by electron interaction with water molecules at the cathode, hydrolyzing the water molecules into hydrogen and hydroxyl molecules. The same reaction takes place at the anode; however, because the anode is positive in polarity, protons (hydrogen ions) form the environment around the anode.

In the instantaneous moment, both hydrogen and hydroxyl ions are forms around both pad electrodes. However, over time, the ionic environment becomes hydrogen around the anode electrode and hydroxyl around the cathode electrode. Because it is hydrogen that leads to the creation of ATP, it then follows that as a residual effect after the microcurrent stimulator is turned off, ATP production continues at the site.

Meanwhile, at the negative electrode, ATP production ceases immediately at the turning off of the stimulation because there is no residual hydrogen cloud in the area. Protons (H+) produce a very powerful effect here. We see that the protons diffuse to an area of less protons, namely from the anode side towards the cathode side. As the protons (H+) migrate through the tissue, they cause increased formation of ATP. This ATP formation can be explained through the chemosmotic theory of Mitchell. This theory explains how mitochondria form ATP by familiar processes such as the electron transport chain and Krebs cycle. In Mitchell's theory, we see that ionized hydrogen (protons) trigger the electron transport chain by combining with NADH to form NADH+, as well as FAD to form FADH2 and other mediators. The net effect of each cycle of the electron transport chain is the introduction of six hydrogen ions in between the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes.

At this point, hydrogen ATPase is activated by the high intramembrane content of hydrogen and activates ATP production. This is accomplished by the addition of a phosphate group to ADP to form ATP. This process is known as oxidative phosphorylation. The ATP is at this point transferred out of the mitochondria into the cytoplasm of the cell where it is stored until utilization.

ATP can be produced by the body by many means other than those mentioned above. However, it is a very dynamic energy source, and at the site of injury or at a site of overuse and microinjury, ATP supplies can become diminished.

Microcurrent therapy offers a unique and wonderful answer to tissue healing. Clinically, microcurrent therapy is also a therapy of choice for hyperacute injuries in that it produces little if any sensation. It should also be remembered or known that in addition to its uniqueness, microcurrent therapy shares many of the qualities of other electric therapies: namely for application in pain control, muscle relaxation and nerve re-education. It also stands somewhat

unique in its ability to increase vascular permeability and in its use as a means of electroacupuncture. MENS microcurrent instruments have the ability to detect the bioelectric state of the human body, and have proven a standard of technical excellence unsurpassed in clinical modality.

Physiological Basis of Microcurrent Therapy

Microcurrent Therapy is low-volt pulsed microamperage stimulation. It is based on the hypothesis that microamperage currents more closely approximate the naturally occurring bioelectric currents in the body and therefore more effectively augment the body’s tissue healing and repair. Studies also indicate human tissue appears to heal more rapidly with microcurrent application.

Bioelectric currents in the body are generally found to be in the microamp range. Changes in the bioelectric voltage potentials across muscle cell membranes allow for more efficient membrane transport and metabolic processes. The cell's increased permeability to sodium ions is followedby an increased permeability to potassium ions. Energy is needed for these activities to occur within the muscle fiber. When a local stimulus is applied to the nearby surrounding membrane, changes occur in the ionic conductance of the membrane, which tend to restore the resting potential even if the stimulus persists.

Three variables critical to the healing process are ATP (adenosine triphosphate), protein synthesis, and membrane transport.

ATP (adenosine triphosphate) concentration serves a direct vital function in the "active transport" mechanism known as the Sodium Pump. The Sodium Pump is directly responsible forthe trans-membrane movement of sodium, potassium, calcium, metabolic waste and metabolites.

Active Transport means that this system requires large amounts of energy to move vital ions in and out of the cell. If this energy is unavailable, metabolic waste builds up in toxic concentrations.

An injury or trauma to a muscle decreases ATP and causes spasm which results in decreased oxygen and nutrients to the cells. It also disrupts the sodium pump which results in the accumulation of metabolic by-products. All of these events are perceived by an individual aspain. Damaged tissue cells produce an electrical current through the loss of intracellular ions and the disruption of the sodium pump mechanism. The current then changes the normal electrical potential patterns. The uninjured cells attempt to restore normal function to the damaged tissues by restoring the normal electrical potential.

Re-establishment of the sodium pump, either naturally or by microcurrent stimulation, occurs when the increase in intracellular current creates increased mitochondrial function, which enhances the cell's concentration of ATP. When ATP is replenished in injured tissues, themembrane active transport is increased, allowing the flow of nutrients into the cells and the flow of waste materials from the cells. With this process, healthy tissue emerges.

Microcurrent stimulation also increases the ability of the cell to synthesize protein. ATP provides the fuel for the transmigration of metabolite and metabolic waste across the cell membranes as well as the re-establishment of the cellular bioelectronic ionic concentration gradient. What this means is that cell membrane potential is re-established, levels of intracellular metabolic waste (i.e. lactic acid) are reduced and fresh concentrations of usable cellular metabolites are introduced into the exhausted cell. At this point the cell can enter its regenerative phase and pain levels are noticeably reduced.

Micro Current Facials

As we age, the ability to regenerate new tissue slows as doesthe skin’s natural moisturizing ability. Facial muscles slacken; skin loses its luster, and collagen and elastin production decrease. As muscles weaken they create a loose platform for the overlying skin, causing wrinkles and sagging skin.

Medical microcurrent facial therapy is the ideal way to improve circulation through stimulating elastin, collagen and cellular metabolism. By improving skin and muscle tone, fine lines and wrinkles may be refined, and puffiness of the eyes and neck improved.

Medical Microcurrent: What does it involve?

A microcurrent facial is gentle, relaxing, and painless, with no recovery time.

The face is cleansed, and collagen/elastin serum applied to the skin. Cotton-tipped contact wands are carefully placed over acupressure points, transmitting painless microcurrents to stimulate the underlying muscles. The face and neck are then gently stroked in specific motions to tone the muscles, firm the skin and ionize nutrients deep into the cells of the skin.

Microcurrent works most efficiently on well-hydrated skin, and adequate water intake prior to treatment is essential.