Joel Rossen DVM
Micro Current Therapy on Equines and Canines by Deborah Powell
Even though electrical stimulation in the micro amperage range has been used
on animals since Dr. Wing ND DC Lac. came out with the very first unit in the
late 1970's only a small portion of animal owners today are aware of this remarkably
easy to do treatment. (see history, click here)
After graduating from the Veterinary Medicine in 1971, Joel Rossen DVM studied
veterinary acupuncture with the Pain Management Group at UCLA. This was a part
of a research group consisting of five veterinarians and several acupuncturists
from the United States, China, and Korea. They chose cases mostly from animals
with painful or debilitating problems. The most common syndromes that we treated
were hip dysplasis, spondylolysthesis, generalized or localized arthritis and
inter vertebral disk syndrome (cervical, thorasic, and lumbar). Unfortunately,
for political reasons the study was never published, but the results were so
good that all five of the veterinarians involved continued performing acupuncture
long after the study ended.
Dr. Rossen opened a small animal practice and for the first seven years performed
acupuncture on small animals, mostly for the treatment of pain. This was a major
part of his practice. In 1979 he learned about a brand new technology called
micro current therapy. (Click Here)
"I started using it in veterinary practice immediately because I was suddenly
able to obtain therapeutic results I had only dreamed of till then", he
said. Dr. Rossen was sold on this new treatment which in essence was surface
electro acupuncture. This means no needles are needed to penetrate the skin
and with the extra stimulation offered by the small amount of current the treatments
provided faster relief and results with longer staying power. Plus the animals
love the treatments, and therefore are very willing patients.
Rossen says he believes he was the first to treat horses with micro current.
He was asked to come out to the central California race track and see if his
box could help the horses run faster. He says "I don't know about horses
running faster, but it was quickly discovered that the results were impressive
for a variety of problems like bowed tendons, splints, bucked shins, sore back,
abscesses, neurological problems, sore feet, and general pain. The general consensus
was that injury healing time was cut in half and that the treated areas were
sometimes stronger than before as a result. Even though in 1979 the instruments
were very expensive, (costing up to $ 20,000.00), there was a good demand for
these instruments. Today they costs thousands less and it is estimated that
hundreds of equines and canines benefit daily from micro current treatments.
This is especially true with the popularity of the personal sized units for
patients to take home and use. Dr. Rossen left small animal practice to market
his own patented Micro Stim Instruments. His focus today is macular degeneration.
Micro current offers versatilely in Treatment Styles:
1. Surface Electrical Acupuncture: Using instruments called probes. Also called
non penetrating needle probes. Handles holding metal tips or Q-Tips to treat
thru the surface of the skin. Used to do traditional style acupuncture or modified
versions of point work.
2. Remote Treatment: Placing electrodes (item used to pass current) in the form
of patches or wraps to be wore in a specific place for a duration of time. Sometimes
referred to as unattended treatment, however when treating animals it is highly
advisable to be present.
3. Massage: Increases the benefits of massage by wearing glove electrodes.
4. Acupressure; Increases the benefits by wearing glove electrodes.
5. Myofascial Release: Increases the benefits by wearing glove electrodes
6. Complimentary: Use in combination with other treatments, Cold therapy, Qui
Gong, Light Therapy, Iontophoresis.
Note: Treatment of long haired Dogs is best done using probes, or by petting
or stroking the dog while wearing the electrode gloves. All styles of electrodes
work well on short haired dogs.
Excellent sources for points to treat can be found in the book, Acupressure
for Equines or Acupressure for Canines by Nancy Ziondis. Plus, MicroCurrent
Therapy for Equines by Deborah Powell (click here)