FSM uses frequencies from a list found in an osteopathic office in 1946 that came with a machine manufactured in 1922. In 1995, the list was discovered, and the frequencies were first applied with a two-channel microcurrent device. The list has frequencies for tissues and for the conditions or pathologies that make those tissues dysfunctional.

Microcurrent was first used in the 1980s by physicians in Europe and the US for stimulating bone repair in non-union fractures. There are numerous studies published on the effects of single channel microcurrent showing that it increases the rate of healing in wounds and fractures.

There are a number of devices on the market that can deliver micro amperage current. But any microcurrent device with two independent channels that provide three-digit specific frequencies such as 284 Hz (rather than 280 Hz) on each channel, using a ramped square wave and either polarized or alternating DC current can be used.

Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) seminars teach frequency protocols and discuss the effects of frequencies and biological resonance on physical tissue based on clinical observations and research.

At first the frequencies were used only to treat muscle and nerve pain, but the list included frequencies for the immune system, the spinal cord, and specific parts of the brain. Clinical success was followed by limited neurochemical research. In 2000, it was discovered that the frequencies from the list “to reduce inflammation” (40 hertz) in the “spinal cord” (10 hertz) could not only reduce pain in fibromyalgia associated with spine trauma but also reduce all of the inflammatory cytokines and substance P and increase endorphins. The neuroimmune data was produced by an NIH immunochemist and show rapid logarithmic changes in neuro-inflammation never seen with any medical therapy. The same data showed that serotonin decreased while endorphins skyrocketed but immediately reversed course and rapidly increased when a frequency protocol for the medulla, called “the concussion protocol” was applied. This finding suggests that microcurrent electrical signaling can rapidly change the electro-neurochemical functions of the brain to change neurotransmitter levels based on specific frequencies. Blinded animal research followed in 2003 showing that the frequencies to “reduce inflammation in the immune system” reduced lipoxygenase (LOX) mediated inflammation by 62% in four minutes and cyclooxygenase (COX) mediated inflammation by 30% in four minutes which was equivalent to injectable Toradol when it was tested in the same animal model by the same researcher. Clinical research followed demonstrating effectiveness in thalamic pain syndrome and phantom limb pain, both of which involve the thalamus and central sensitization.

In 2005, Barbara Harris, MD, combined her post-doctoral education in neuropsychology and her knowledge of FSM and began treating PTSD with FSM. When there were consistent successes and no adverse reactions, her protocol was taught at FSM advanced courses; and positive case reports were followed for the next fifteen years. Starting in 2015, the frequencies for the vagus were applied in atrial fibrillation, gastroparesis, vocal cord dysfunction, and small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and appeared successful at restoring normal vagal stimulation and function. FSM in separate studies and case reports appears to address over activity and inflammation in the specific parts of the brain, raise serotonin levels, quiet central sensitization, quiet inflammation generally and specifically increase vagal tone. Reducing inflammation specifically in the small bowel could reasonably help repair a thin leaky gut. All of these effects would explain the success of the FSM protocol for treating PTSD and other brain related conditions.

Papers - Frequency Specific Microcurrent

What Doctors Dont' Tell You

Treating RSD / CRPS with Frequency Specific Microcurrent - Frequency Specific Microcurrent

Steve the Dad - FSM and Autism - Frequency Specific Microcurrent

FACES of Pain Care – Episode 11 – Frequency Specific Microcurrent with

Dr. Carolyn McMakin - Frequency Specific Microcurrent

1. What is the difference between microcurrent and TENS units?
   
   Microcurrent is approved in the category of TENS devices by the FDA. TENS devices deliver milliamp current and block pain messages that are trying to get up the spine to the brain. Microcurrent delivers subsensory microamperage current, 1000 times less than milli-amperage current, which has been shown in published studies to increase ATP production in tissues. ATP is the form of cellular energy necessary for cellular processes and respiration.
   
   

2. Are there any risks with FSM use?
   
   Practitioners have been using FSM for the past 25 years. There have been no permanent adverse effects attributable to the use of the microcurrent units or to the use of the frequencies. There are two effects to be considered- the effect of the current and the effect of the frequencies. The sensation is usually perceived as being “light or floaty” and lasts only as long as the frequency that is producing a positive effect on the patient. There is a bell-shaped curve of sensitivity to this sensation. 10% of the class will not feel anything at all in response to the frequencies. 10% of the class will feel a strong sensation of being “floaty or light headed (not dizzy). The rest of the class will have perceptions someplace in between those two groups. The “floaty feeling” response occurs not as a result of any particular frequency but in response to any frequency that resonates with the patient’s condition.
   
   There are no risks to the patient that we know about as long as the practitioner follows the proper contraindications and precautions associated with both FSM and the use of microcurrent. There are frequencies used to remove scar tissue that should not be used within 4 weeks of the time of a new injury or surgery. Sometimes when muscles are successfully treated the range of motion increases so much that joints and nerves can become temporarily painful until the range of motion goes back down. After muscles are treated there is sometimes a detoxification reaction that occurs 90 minutes after treatment similar to that seen with massage therapy. This can be lessened by having the patient drink water and support elimination/detox.
   
   

3. What are the effects of the microcurrent?
   
   In 1982 Ngok Cheng published, “The Effect of Electric Currents on ATP Generation, Protein Synthesis and Membrane Transport in Rat Skin in Clinical Orthopedics” (volume 171: pages 264-272). This study showed that microcurrent increased ATP production in rat skin by 500%. ATP is the chemical that the body uses for energy. The current also increased amino acid transport into the cell by 70% and waste product removal. The implications for human healing and repair are obvious. ATP production was increased as long as the current was below 500 microamps. When the authors increased the current to 1000 micro amps, or one milliamp, a current range delivered by TENS devices and other types of electrical stimulation therapies, the ATP production was actually reduced. Frequency specific microcurrents will affect resonance with the specific tissues/conditions programmed. If the frequencies are mis-matched, there will be no effect.
   
   

4. Frequencies and the development of FSM.
   
   In the early 1900’s, before 1934, medical physicians and osteopaths were using electromagnetic therapy devices and frequencies to treat patients. The equipment delivered frequencies on either one or two channels. When two channels were used one channel delivered a frequency thought to address a specific tissue; and the other channel delivered one that was thought to neutralize a specific condition or pathology. There were thousands of physicians using these therapies to treat patients and doing research and sharing the effects of frequencies in articles and books. The Electromedical Society and its journal, Electromedical Digest were founded by Dr. Albert Abrams a medical physician in San Francisco.
   
   The equipment used in the 1920’s was not battery operated DC microcurrent. The old devices plugged into the wall and used wall current which at that time was more likely to be direct current than AC. AC current did not come into universal use until a number of years later.
   
   In 1934, the American Medical Association in the person of Maurice Fishbein declared that electromagnetic therapies were “unscientific” and that drugs and surgery were the future of medicine and that any physician who used electromagnetic therapies would lose their license to practice medicine, which at that time was granted by the AMA not the government. Electromagnetic treatments and research gradually declined. The equipment stopped being manufactured and by the mid-1950’s was removed from the market by the FDA.
   
   The frequencies were still available in books and articles and in the manuals that came with the old devices.
   
   In 1994, Carolyn McMakin, DC began using frequencies obtained from Dr. Harry Van Gelder, a retired osteopath on her family and on volunteer patients and friends. Once it was determined that a frequency producing no benefit also produced no harm, they were used on Dr. McMakin’s chiropractic patients to see if any positive effects could be observed. The results were immediate and fascinating.
   
   The frequencies appeared to do exactly what they were alleged to do as described on the list. The frequency said to “decrease inflammation”, reduced redness and swelling but had no other effect. The frequency to “reduce scar tissue” increased range of motion and softened tissue but had no effect on inflammation, redness or swelling. The frequency to stop bleeding reduced bleeding in the menses and reduced or eliminated bruising if used immediately after an injury or surgery but had no effect on inflammation, scar tissue or range of motion. Eventually frequencies were added from the writings of Dr. Albert Abrams and from a list obtained from Dr. McWilliams.
   
   After treating patients and observing these effects for over a year Dr. McMakin first taught the technique in January 1997 to determine whether the effects were reproducible. Did the technique actually have a real effect or was this some apparent effect produced by the patient’s mind or reaction to something else in the clinic environment? By June of 1997 it was apparent that students were achieving the same results as Dr. McMakin especially in the treatment of myofascial pain from trigger points. In 1998, frequency combinations were first used to successfully treat nerve pain such as sciatica caused by disc injuries. Only one frequency combination was effective in reducing nerve pain. In 1999 one frequency combination was found to eliminate the full body pain associated with fibromyalgia caused by spine trauma. Those cases were published in 2005 in a peer-reviewed article titled, “Cytokine changes in fibromyalgia associated with cervical trauma”.
   
   Classes continue to be taught around the US and in Ireland so that practitioners can bring these effects and the relief they create to patients.
   
   

5. Frequency Specific Animal Research
   
   The frequency thought to “reduce inflammation in the immune system” was studied in an animal research laboratory at University of Sydney in Australia by Dr. Vivienne Reeve. Arachadonic acid was painted on the ears of hairless mice. Arachadonic acid causes inflammation mediated by lipoxygenase prostaglandin pathways and causes swelling. This animal model is an accepted way to study inflammation and has been used to study virtually every anti-inflammatory drug or therapy. The frequency combination reduced swelling by 62% in four minutes in every animal tested with everyone in the lab blinded and as tested against a placebo frequency. Prescription and non-prescription drugs tested in this animal model reduced swelling by 45%. Placebo frequency had no effect on swelling. None of the three other frequency combinations tested in this animal model reduced inflammation at all. The frequency response was time-dependent. 50% of the effect was present at 2 minutes, 100% of the effect was present at 4 minutes and further time spent on the frequency had no additional effect. This is the only frequency combination that has been studied in an animal model but the effects and the implications are important.
   
   In an additional animal trial, myristeal stearate was painted on the mouse’s ears creating inflammation and swelling in a COX (cycloxygenase) mediated inflammatory pathway. The frequency to “reduce inflammation in the skin” had no effect on swelling at all. It was equivalent to placebo. The frequency combination thought to “reduce inflammation in the immune system” reduced COX mediated inflammation by 30% in a four-minute time-dependent response as compared to placebo. This reduction in swelling is equivalent to that created by the prescription injectable drug Toridol when it was tested in this animal model.
   
   Sunburn creates swelling and inflammation. The mice were exposed to UV light sufficient to create sunburn and swelling. One group was not treated, one group was treated immediately and one group was treated at 2 hours after exposure. The untreated group had the expected swelling. The group treated immediately had a slight but not statistically significant reduction in swelling when measured at 21, 23, 25 and 27 hours after exposure. The group treated at 2 hours had a statistically significant reduction in swelling (p>.01).
   
   One way of measuring immune system response is to expose it to a chemical to which it should normally develop an allergic reaction and then treat the system in some way and see if the immune response upon re-exposure is the same or different after the intervention. Sunburn suppresses immune system allergy responses. Mice exposed to a sensitizing chemical, oxazalone, normally swell by 30 units of measurement when re-exposed to the chemical two weeks after the first application. Mice that are sunburned but not treated swell only 11 units indicating an immune response suppression of 63.4%. Mice that were treated with FSM at 2 hours, with the best reduction in sunburn swelling, had 13 units of swelling upon second exposure to oxazalone indicating immune suppression of 57.48%. Mice that were treated immediately with FSM, who had only a slight reduction in burn swelling, had 21 units of swelling when re-exposed to oxazalone two weeks after the burn and FSM treatment. This represents a reduction of immune system suppression from 63.4% to 31.05%. Of all of the FSM human and animal data this is the most impressive and fascinating. A single four minute exposure to a frequency combination caused a permanent change in immune system function as measured two weeks after the treatment. This experiment has not been repeated but Dr. Reeve is the top in her field and certifies that the research was carried out to the highest laboratory standards of animal testing.
   
   

6. FSM and pregnancy.
   
   FSM should not be used on patients known to be pregnant. TENS devices are not to be used to run current through a pregnant uterus but FSM carries an additional self-imposed recommendation that FSM not be used once a woman is known to be pregnant. No problems have ever been observed in a patient treated who was found later to have been pregnant at the time of treatment so the recommendation is based on prudence rather than negative experience.
   
   The dramatic reductions in cytokines and prostaglandins seen with use of certain frequencies may have an unpredictable effect on the prostaglandins required to maintain a pregnancy. The dramatic order of magnitude changes in neuropeptides seen in the treatment of fibromyalgia from spine trauma may have an unintended effect on a developing fetal nervous system once the fetal nervous system is developed beyond 8 weeks, the time at which most women know they are pregnant.
   
   

7. How does Frequency Specific Microcurrent work?
   
   Frequencies are pulses per second measured in hertz. They can be sound waves or electronic pulses. The frequencies used in FSM are electromagnetic pulses used on two channels firing at the same time. The frequencies are delivered using a ramped square wave that includes high frequency harmonics to create the square wave. The makes the frequencies more accurately pulses rather than the pure frequencies achieved with a sine wave generator. Most microcurrent devices use square wave pulses because they have been observed to be more effective clinically.
   
   All things in nature have a unique frequency and FSM works by the concept of magnetic/electric resonance. The “ healthy” frequency is given and through resonance with the tissue/condition, the frequency changes. The frequency thought to address or neutralize the condition is put on channel A. The frequency thought to address the tissue is put on channel B. The frequencies used in FSM are all less than 1000 Hz. There are frequencies from the list alleged to address over 200 conditions such as “inflammation”, “scar tissue”, “mineral deposits” and “toxicity”. There are a few frequencies that are used as A/B pairs. A is not a condition, B is not a tissue but the combination of the two frequencies appears to have a therapeutic effect. For example, there is a known frequency combination that treats shingles pain. When this combination is used before the blisters break out for an hour a day for three days the pain is gone in 20 minutes and the blisters never break out. When this combination is used for two hours on active shingles, after the blisters appear, it eliminates the pain and shortens the course from the normal 6 weeks to four to five days. The pain never returns. Shingles is the only thing this frequency combination is good for and, so far, there has not been a patient who did not respond in an expected way.
   
   The frequencies were developed between 1910 and 1934 by medical and osteopathic physicians using an entirely different machine and system of treatment. The frequencies are used clinically; the effects are documented in chart notes and serve as a basis for the development of protocols that appear to be effective for different clinical conditions. The protocols are taught during FSM seminars and then it is determined if the effects are reproducible based on feedback from practitioners. There are several peer-reviewed published papers documenting the effects in the treatment - see research link for details.
   
   

8. Are there patients who don’t respond to FSM?
   
   Patients who are dehydrated cannot benefit from FSM. It has been observed that patients who are dehydrated. Athletes with large muscle mass and inadequate water intake and patients over 70 who are chronically dehydrated have the most problems. Every patient is advised to drink at least one quart of water in the one hour preceding treatment. Patients who are chronically dehydrated may need more water over several days prior to their treatments.
   
   No technique is 100% effective and FSM is no exception. The effectiveness of FSM depends almost entirely on an accurate diagnosis. Shoulder pain can come from muscles, tendons, bursa, discs, nerves or joints. FSM will treat all of these pain generators effectively. But, if you are treating muscle and the shoulder pain is from nerves or the bursa you may change the muscle but you won’t change the patient’s pain since it is not coming from the muscle. This analogy applies to every condition.
   
   

9. What can FSM frequencies treat?
   
   The frequencies appear to change a variety of conditions and tissues and change pain and function in a large number of clinical conditions. FSM is especially effective at treating brain, nerve and muscle pain, inflammation and scar tissue. There is a kind of fibromyalgia associated with spine trauma that is particularly painful and difficult to treat even with narcotics. There is one frequency combination, and only one frequency combination, that has been observed to eliminate pain in patients with this condition. Shingles responds very well to only one frequency combination that eliminates the pain in 20 minutes and causes the lesions to dry up and disappear in approximately two to three days. There is one frequency combination that so far has been 100% effective in eliminating kidney stone pain. This frequency combination does nothing to remove the stone; it only eliminates the pain. The frequencies have created observed effects in asthma, liver dysfunction (reducing elevated liver enzymes), irritable bowel and many other conditions. It has been observed that patients who are treated within four hours of a new injury including auto accidents and surgeries have much reduced pain and a greatly accelerated healing process.
   
   Frequency Specific Seminars makes no claims about the use of frequencies in the diagnosis and treatment of any condition. The frequencies appear to have beneficial effects when used in a clinical setting as an adjunct to appropriate medical diagnosis and treatment. There are no guarantees that any protocol is going to be effective in any given patient on any given condition. In general, the frequencies either work or don’t work and if they don’t work they simply have no effect. In the seminars, physicians are advised to use good judgment and use FSM as an adjunct to appropriate medical diagnosis and treatment. As long as appropriate proven therapies are not delayed or withheld, FSM can be very helpful. Every practitioner is trained in the concept that FSM is to be used as an adjunct to therapeutics appropriate to their discipline for the patient after proper diagnosis. The FSM motto is “Can’t hurt; might help.”
   
   For example, the question, “Does this frequency combination reduce inflammation in the liver?” the only truly honest answer is, “That has not been determined with certainty.” It can only be said that when these particular frequency combinations are applied to the right upper quadrant of the abdomen for a period of 30 to 60 minutes the liver becomes non-tender instead of tender and seriously elevated liver enzymes have been reduced into the normal range within hours instead of days or weeks. This phenomenon has been observed in multiple patients, treated by different physicians in different areas. It is now thought to be reproducible as demonstrated by objective measurement of liver enzymes.
   
   

10. What is a FSM protocol?
    
    Frequency protocols are sequences of frequencies observed to have a certain clinical effect in various conditions. The sequences of frequencies are taught in the FSM training.
    
    

11. What is microcurrent?
    
    Micro current is current in millionths of an ampere. An ampere is a measure of the movement of electrons past a point. Microamperage current is the same kind of current your body produces on its own within each cell. This is current in millionths of an amp. It is very small; there is not enough current to stimulate sensory nerves so the current flow cannot be felt. You can tell it is running by watching the conductance meter on the machine.
    
    

12. What is the difference between microcurrent and ultrasound?
    
    Ultra sound creates ultrasonic vibrations and creates heat by vibrating the water molecules in the tissue. It does not provide current nor does it change ATP status. It provides beneficial results by these mechanisms but it is just completely different than microcurrent.
    
    

13. What is the difference between microcurrent and laser?
    
    Microcurrent provides electrons and in published studies increases ATP production in cells. Lasers provide photons. I am not aware of any research suggesting that laser treatment increases ATP production. Lasers oscillate at set frequencies and provide beneficial results but usually only provide one frequency at a time instead of the dual frequencies used in FSM treatment. Lasers provide whatever benefits they provide by some other method than frequency specific resonance and ATP enhancement.
    
    

14. No benefit to moving paddles around as they create magnetic fields which will travel through the body as long as the patient is hydrated. Be sure they are within 5 " of the body.
    
    

15. Is there any harm in running the program partially or not finishing the full program?
    
    There are no negative effects from running the programs shorter than they are- only may not get the full set of frequencies to effect healing. Better to run partially than not at all.
    
    

16. Is there harmful EMF from the device?
    
    No. The machine is battery operated and the magnetic field creates a microcurrent that is much less (by over a 1000 times) than a EMF field that would be harmful.
    
    

17. Why would we work with FSM in our practice?
    
    We work with FSM because it brings relief to so many patients for so many conditions. It is low risk, non-invasive and incredibly effective. Every practice that uses FSM sees incredible and sometimes unbelievable responses/recoveries. Chronic patients are helped and move on to infrequent care leaving room for new patients. We started using FSM to see if it was helpful. We continue to use FSM because it would be immoral not to. Every day FSM creates effects and provides relief that is simply not possible with any other modality or any other known treatment. Every day FSM practitioners report results produced with FSM to change patient’s lives. It is an awesome experience.
    
    The personal reward and satisfaction of using a modality that can provide such profound relief make the work put into developing and studying FSM worth it! FSM started with an observation of a clinical effect. It has continued to prove these effects to be consistent, reproducible, measurable and predictable. It's a powerful tool in our tool box!
    
    

18. How to place the leads if using sticky pads?
    
    The pneumonic for sticky pad use with the FSM Machine is Christmas Tree; Bumble Bee; Red cross Black. Red and Green-never seen.
    
    Let’s explain:
    In general, Christmas Tree (RED and GREEN leads) will go on the back of the body typically on the upper shoulders or ABOVE the target tissue. Bumble bee (YELLOW and BLACK leads) will go on the front of the body and BELOW the target tissue.
    
    The black lead (on the front) is on the opposite side that the red lead is (on the back). This means that green lead will be on the opposite side of the yellow as well. Imagine drawing a diagonal line that passes across the body from the red lead on the right back shoulder to the black lead on the left front gut area. If you then drew a line from the green lead on the left back shoulder to the yellow lead on the right front gut area, it would be another diagonal line through the body. Both lines together would form an “X” with the apex of the X in the middle of the body.
    
    Now it doesn’t have to be back shoulder ; front gut area. The pads can be in a specific area that needs treating, like a knee, elbow or ankle. As long as the Red and green are on the backside of the injury and the yellow and black are on the front side with the colors crossing in the middle.
    
    Treating the brain may be back shoulder ; front cheek or back shoulder; upper front shoulder.
    
    

19. How to place magnetic converter paddles?
    
    The paddles have a magnetic field and should be placed within 5 inches of the body. Preferably above and below the target tissue. If running overnight, place 1 paddle under the pillow and another under the sheet below the knees/thighs. If running during the day we recommend 1 paddle above and behind the body (like placed in a hood of a jacket) and the 2nd paddle placed in front of the body below the target tissue. For example if a knee injury -place paddle 1 behind thigh and paddle 2 on front of lower leg. If brain or whole body is target, place trunk in between paddles. Unlike the sticky pads, the magnetic converter paddles do not need to be placed as specifically as the magnetic field will travel through the body through conductive tissues. Enhanced by water and minerals.