The Electro-Acuscope/Myopulse Therapy System

The Electro-Acuscope and Electro-Myopulse Therapy System is a non-invasive modality utilizing a low voltage current to match the requirements of the patient's body. These instruments have successfully treated common equine and canine problems such as pulled muscles, strained tendons and ligaments, inflammation, abscessed feet, and nerve paralysis. It is particularly successful in relieving or greatly reducing the swelling and pain of tissue damage occurring from athletic injury. In addition, the Acuscope has proven to be effective in the treatment of conditions thought to be life threatening or crippling, such as laminitis, navicular problems, deep puncture wounds, and deteriorating coffin bones. This therapy system is in the family of electro-therapy, with the instruments being designed with a safe and effective amount of current called microcurrent.

The Electro-Acuscope/Myopulse Therapy System is comprised of two FDA approved instruments. These instruments were originally developed for use on humans. It has been used in doctor's offices, physical therapy practices, and hospitals since 1978. The Acuscope and Myopulse instrument models have been successfully used by many sports medicine clinics through the history of the therapy system, and currently by Molly Wells though her work in professional sports. Although the instruments have been primarily recommended for orthopedic, neurologic and arthritic discomfort, the instrument's use is not limited to pain relief. In equine and canine therapy, the Acuscope and Myopulse have been used for over thirty years to treat a vast number of conditions and injuries. 

The Electro-Acuscope

The Acuscope assists the body in healing itself by improving the circulation of blood and oxygen in the involved area, and normalizing the electrical circuitry in the nerves through the Central Nervous System (the control center of the body where the nerves originate at the brain or spinal cord), and through the Peripheral Nervous System (where the nerves branch out through the rest of the body to send signals). The Acuscope is capable to normalizing the level of current through the nervous system, decreasing inflammation and addressing inflammatory tissue, and providing care for bony injuries, and wound care. 

Another unique feature, which sets the Acuscope apart from other electrical stimulation devices, in the micro-chip circuitry that is designed to scan and monitor the tissue. Other electrical stimulation units gather no feedback and produce only a simple fixed output according to preset specifications. The Acuscope reads neurological impedance (resistance) in the circuit created through the tissue placed between the two probes or electrodes. Based on the information it gathers, the unit is programmed to calculate appropriate corrective waveforms. Acuscopes used on horses are specially calibrated to take into account their higher metabolic rates than those found in humans. Computerized circuitry picks up abnormalities in the nerve fiber impulses (input), and modifies its infinitely variable square wave signal (output) appropriately. Its' self-correcting mechanisms continually adjust the current until normal patterns are being conducted without resistance through the tissue between the probes. The readings then tell the therapists when an area has been successfully treated and the probes can be moved to another location. This feedback modulated procedure eliminates the possibility of over-treatment or harm to the cells.

The Electro-Myopulse

The Myopulse is the companion instrument. It has a unique design to have direct access and focus for soft and connective tissue (muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and periosteum). The biofeedback system of the Myopulse is programmed to normalize the electro-magnetic field that surrounds these structures of the body, and to compliment the work of the Acuscope with normalizing the nervous system. This instrument is also able to increase blood flow and circulation throughout the body by alleviating constriction in the blood vessels that can occur by tight and restricted soft tissue. Once the Myopulse provides true relaxation and normalized function within the soft tissue of the body, normal circulation can more effectively take place. 

Understanding the Body's Energy Requirements

The body is made up of a vast number of cells. In many ways these cells act like tiny batteries storing and releasing energy, doing their work of taking in nutrients, releasing waste products, repairing and reproducing themselves, etc. Each cell has a measurable electrical charge which must be maintained in order to function properly.

Energy flows constantly between all cells throughout the electrical circuitry of the body. When damage or trauma occurs to living tissue, there is a disruption in the electrical capacity of the involved cells and after an initial surge, there results a measurable decrease in the production and flow of energy through the electrical network of the involved tissues. This condition is generally accompanied by pain in the area and often results in the body's inability to completely repair itself. Thus, lengthy rest periods and inactivity are often prescribed in order to attain eventual restoration of normal function.

The Introductions of the Acuscope and Myopulse for Therapeutic Purposes

At this point, the Acuscope and Myopulse are frequently introduced. The Acuscope has both feedback and therapeutic functions, it actually provides auditory and numerical readouts which indicate the locations where cellular dysfunction is present. Once these areas are pinpointed through a proper evaluation, the Acuscope can then be used to address the tissue according to its needs. An experienced therapist can interpret the sounds and numbers which reflect the amount of conductivity passing through the tissue between treatment probes and can determine a course of therapy based upon these readings. Swelling and inflammation are translated into high numbers on an LED display along with corresponding high-pitched tones. The Acuscope readings tell the therapist where the cellular dysfunction should be prioritized, and it can pinpoint precise areas of excessive heat and fluid in acutely damaged sites. It can also identify tissue which has become chronic, i.e. an area of deficiency in an energy-depleted state. Low numbers and tones reflect tissue which is unable to complete the healing process and incapable of returning to a normal, healthy condition without assistance. In addition, the Acuscope can help locate problem areas in other parts of the body which have become sore or painful as a result of compensating for the original cause.

For example, an all too common condition such as a bowed tendon will initially cause the horse to refuse to bear weight on the injured leg. Acuscope readings will initially reflect the excessive electrical activity in the area resulting from the heat and inflammation in the traumatized tendon. Immediate treatment to the involved site can help accelerate the healing process. A horse with a bowed tendon which has not received Acuscope treatments will spend a prolonged amount of time with opposite leg bearing the majority of the weight, which can cause secondary conditions from overcompensation where the muscles/tendons/ligaments of that leg will become strained and sore. With the use of the Acuscope's evaluation capabilities and treatments, these secondary complications can be prevented by keeping the body balanced, comfortable, and in a healthier state.

The Myopulse is used in conjunction with the Acuscope to complete the therapy system's capabilities. This companion instrument is introduced to the patient following the Acuscope to focus on the soft and connective tissue to ensure the normalization of the electro-magnetic field, aid in normalizing the fibers of the soft tissue throughout the healing phases and process, and to support the Acuscope's work in providing circulation and blood flow. This is an essential aspect of athletic care, general maintenance, and rehabilitation to ensure that each application is internally adjusted to meet the needs of each patient. 

The Difference of the Acuscope and Myopulse to Other Electrical Stimulation Devices

The Acuscope and Myopulse instruments differ from other electrical stimulation devices in that they deliver treatments in micro-amps. Micro-amperage (below 1 milliamp) is the naturally occurring level of current generated by cells throughout the body. Most nerve stimulations devices (TENS) produce milli-amperage current designed to bombard the tissue and simply block pain signals from reaching the brain. This therapy system, in contrast, generates only the level of current required to gently encourage nerve and muscle fiber to return to conduction of normal electrical impulses. Also in contrast, ordinary TENS devices provide only temporary relief, whereas a series of Acuscope and Myopulse treatments have a cumulative, long-term healing effect. In numerous scientific studies, micro-current therapy has been proven to have a profoundly beneficial effect on living tissue. In technical terms, some of the benefits of micro-current therapy at the cellular level are: opening of voltage-sensitive calcium ion channels, normalizing cell membrane potential, restoring the sodium pump function, enhancing protein synthesis, and increasing ATP production (energy production within the body). With this in mind, it is easy to understand why supplying the kind of current that naturally occurs in healthy tissue promotes regenerative metabolic activity.

The Response to Treatments

Remarkably, results are usually noticeable immediately, with continued improvement over the following few days. Within a week, most conditions will have progressed dramatically. Chronic conditions may take several treatments before initial results are observed, yet Acuscope treatments are known to resolve serious conditions which would otherwise never improve. Enhanced alertness, calmness, definite gait changes, coordination, and balance are typically some of the immediate results along with reduction of pain, swelling, and relief from muscle tightness. It has been consistently observed that the animal becomes extremely relaxed from this non-invasive procedure. Horses are often observed relaxing through a treatment by lowering their head, giving a deep sigh of relief, bending a rear leg, licking and chewing, and yawning.

Horses are started with a minimum initial series of three treatments within a 72-hour period. This is to ensure a proper introduction to the therapy system, as well as create a strong base for long-term results. After the initial treatments are completed a follow-up program is suggested depending on the needs of the individual horse.

The History

The advanced and sophisticated technology of this therapy system has been used extensively over the past thirty years in animal therapy, by and under the supervision of many veterinarians to deal with the most serious injuries and acute life threatening conditions of the equine athlete.

There are numerous scientific studies to prove the effectiveness of microcurrent, along with independent research that supports the safety and effectiveness of the Electro-Acuscope/Myopulse Therapy System and the role that it plays in the animal industry. 

PLEASE NOTE: The safety and efficacy of this therapy system is only backed by the scientific research and studies when the instruments are used properly under the manufacturer's specifications and recommendations, along with the FDA's guidelines.