AS PUBLISHED IN: Castle Rehab Services

Acuscope/Myopulse Therapy
Helps The Body Heal Itself

By Diana Lomont

Since her accident as a truck driver two years ago Abbie Lyman had tried a number of conventional modes of physical therapy treatment, but with little relief. Then her doctor, physiatrist Gil Hager, sent her to the Work Well Rehabilitation Center in Kaneohe for Electro-Acuscope and Myopulse treatments. When she arrived at the clinic, Abbie rated her level of pain 4 or 5 on a scale of 1 to 10. That was before the hour-long session during which technician John Thorp probed Abbie's back with the mysterious looking wands that emit microcurrent electrical stimulation. When Abbie came out of the treatment room, she was all smiles. “I feel wonderful,” she said, “I have no pain at all.”

Abbie’s reaction was not unusual. The space-age technology of the Acuscope and Myopulse has impressed many with its curative abilities. For years, sports therapists have been reporting remarkable results using the technology with professional athletes. The therapy gained world attention in 1984 during the summer Olympic games when rapid relief from injuries with Acuscope/Myopulse treatments.

“Some people call it the miracle machine. But the machine is not the miracle, the human body is,” says Thorp, who brought the technology to Castle’s Work Well Rehabilitation Centers in December. (See story below) “Some people call it the miracle machine. But the machine is not the miracle, the human body is.”
— John Thorp

Thorp explains that the Acuscope and Myopulse, which are each size of a videocassette recorder, emit microcurrent electrical waves that normalize or relax the damaged tissue. A technician first uses the Acuscope to gain an electrical reading of the body and its injured areas. Through biofeedback from the body, the Acuscope’s microcomputer issues the correct waveforms to stabilize the patient's nervous system and connective tissue currents. This, says Thorp, quickly brings the patient to a relaxed state of mind for further treatment by the Myopulse works by sending gentle currents to injured muscle tissue that is too taut and compressed to heal on its own. These electrical currents, in effect, open up the damaged area to the blood flow and circulation so that it can begin healing by the body’s own natural process.

Acuscope/Myopulse therapy often offers the best initial phase of treatment for many injuries, especially those that are too painful for traditional physical therapy. Patients who receive Acuscope/Myopulse treatment at castle's Work Well Rehabilitation Centers go on to other, traditional phases of physical therapy and reconditioning for total recovery.

The Acuscope/Myopulse technology was developed by Dr. Anthony Nebrensky, a scientist who works on U.S. Missile systems and the Strategic Defense Initiative program. The two machines are the most advanced forms of microcurrent technology in use today. What may seem to be a well-kept secret has shown positive results for many kinds of ailments and disorders, including tendonitis, bursitis, rotator cuff problems, sprains, muscle spasms, headaches, knees injuries, tennis elbow, arthritis, stress and postoperative tightness and pain. While Acuscope/Myopulse therapy is being used virtually every walk of medicine, says Thorp, its full potential remains untapped because so few therapists have been trained to maximize its capabilities.

How quickly can patients expect results from Acuscope/Myopulse therapy? Results are usually felt in three to five sessions of 45 minutes to an hour each. Thorp reports a reduction in pain in 90 percent of his patients after six to 10 treatments, although the rate of recovery is unique for each patient. Patients at the Work Well centers begin with three treatments on three successive days.

Are there any side effects? In general, the treatment is painless with the slight stimulating sensation. About 5 percent or less of patients may experience some temporary weakness or dizziness for 10 to 15 minutes after treatment. Others may initially feel some pain after the first treatment. But, says Thorp, this reaction is usually a good sign that the body is trying to achieve homeostatus once again.

This treatment is not used on patients who are pregnant or who wear a pacemaker. Acuscope/Myopulse therapy is available at both the Kaneohe and Kailua Work Well Rehabilitation Centers.