Acupuncture (Without The Needles)
Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine that has been around for thousands of years (back to 6000 BCE). Nowadays, there are a lot of variations of acupuncture, and it’s come a long way from the sharpened stones and bones that used to be used. The TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) approach utilizes the meridians in the body to alleviate pain.
There’s also dry needling, a more modern approach that focuses more on trigger points and chronic pain where needles are inserted in specific areas of the body. The needle may be twisted in an attempt to wrap the muscle fibers around the needle to stretch and relax the site in question. Sometimes stim may be used to enhance the treatment further.
And then, we have a type of needle-less acupuncture, MPS Therapy.
MPS Therapy (Microcurrent Point Stimulation) is one of the more unique services of Michigan Massage and Wellness, and this work has proved to be phenomenal. So what is it, and is it right for you?
MPS Therapy using the Dolphin Neurostim combines the principles of acupuncture and neurology to relieve pain, soften scar tissue, improve range of motion, and release fascial restrictions. The Dolphin (or lovingly referred to by some clients as “that zappy thing”) is a small device placed on varying acupuncture and trigger points on the body depending on your complaint. It may be any painful area, or for specific scar release therapy, two devices will be used on either side of the scar. The MPS device produces a micro-current that goes into the muscle and connective tissues to calm the nervous system, relieve restrictions, and release endorphins, the body’s natural pain relievers. As you can see below, this is my scar that was the result of a dog bite in 2016. You’ll notice how it’s faded and not pulling in as much.
You may be familiar with TENS devices if you’ve had physical therapy or tried various pain relief options. MPS Therapy is kind of like that but is considered a modified TENS device because of the difference in current flow. TENS utilizes an alternating current with a much higher current rate. In contrast, MPS uses a direct and much lower current which mimics and dramatically affects the human nervous system, including increasing your parasympathetic tone. Your parasympathetic nervous system is your ‘rest and digest.’’ In contrast, your sympathetic is your ‘fight or flight’ and spoiler alert: we all spend too much time in sympathetic and not enough time in parasympathetic land.
While this method has some protocols, almost everything will be tailored to your body and goals. Most people will need multiple sessions, anywhere from 2 to 10, depending on their condition and the results of each treatment. However, most experience complete or substantial relief (60-85%+) from pain within 1-3 sessions.
Whether you want to work on scar tissue, release restrictions deep within the body, increase the range of motion in your joints, or get some relief from pain, MPS Therapy can help. Book your appointment today, and let’s get started!
In Good Hands,
Rebecca Tamm, LMT
