Basic Treatment Rules	Basic Steps of MET Probe Protocol
click to enlarge	Step 1. First treat in a large “X” manner over a wide area holding the probes so that the current is directed through the problem area. An example of this strategy for knee pain would be to first make the large X by treating from the medial, superior thigh to the lateral foot, then lateral at the hip to the medial foot.
click to enlarge	Step 2. Treat with smaller Xs, or a “star” (*) closer and directly around the involved knee (e.g., two obliques, one or two medial-lateral, one or two anterior-posterior, etc.).
click to enlarge	Step 3. Treat the opposite knee for at least 20 seconds (one X), even if it is asymptomatic.
click to enlarge	Step 4. Connect the two knees by placing a probe on each knee at least four times (most important step).
	Follow up with a cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) treatment for 20 to 60 minutes.

 

Additional Considerations
click to enlarge	Always connect both sides (Step 4) to treat spinal nerves and corresponding dermatomes and myotomes.
click to enlarge	Consider anatomy, e.g., encompass the entire muscle, do not treat just part of a muscle!
click to enlarge	When using the probes, press fairly hard for a good contact and always bracket the area of involvement. Adjust the current intensity to 600µA, or to a comfortable level on the head.
	Re-evaluate pain about every 1 - 2 minutes (“treatment set”). Stop when pain is gone or if there is no further improvement after 2 or 3 sets, or when the patient feels stiffness (will wear off), but has no more pain.
click to enlarge	Use AS-Trodes for acute pain problems, pain associated with wounds, fractures, decubitus ulcers, or if treatments with probes do not provide satisfactory results. Treat with AS-Trodes at 0.5 Hz and 100µA for at least 1 hour/day. Similar to probe protocols, bracket the area of pain when using AS-Trodes.

References:

Alpha-Stim® SCS Owner’s Manual (2006). Electromedical Products International, Inc.
Alpha-Stim® 100 Owner’s Manual (2002). Electromedical Products International, Inc.
Kirsch, D. L. (2006). Microcurrent electrical therapy (MET): A tutorial. Practical Pain Management 6(7):59-64.
Kirsch, D. L. (2002b). A practical protocol for electromedical treatment of pain. Chapter 61 in Pain Management: A Practical Guide for Clinicians (the textbook of the American Academy of Pain Management) edited by Richard S. Weiner, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, 2002.

The information provided in this poster is not a substitute for the Owner’s Manual. Read the Prescribing Information in the Owner’s Manual for Contraindications, Precautions and Adverse Effects associated with the use of Alpha-Stim®. Copyright 2007 Electromedical Products International, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Alpha-Stim® is registered in the US Patent and Trademark Office and worldwide.