Frequency Specific Microcurrent: what the research says

Small studies of microcurrent found some short-term pain relief, with big placebo effects. FSM's own frequencies have not been tested.

What a session is

A device passes a very weak electrical current, usually too weak to feel, through pads or probes on your skin. In FSM, practitioners choose set frequencies; the idea is that each one suits a different tissue.

What the research says

• Back, neck and muscle tension: A review found only 4 small trials. Single studies found less shoulder and knee pain than with a dummy device, but placebo effects were large. Limited evidence · Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation, 2021
• Worry, anxiety and low mood: Small, mostly old studies of weak current to the head suggest a modest calming effect. Evidence is weak; sleep results were mixed. Limited evidence · Annals of Internal Medicine, 2018
• Frequency-specific settings (FSM): No review has tested whether FSM's chosen frequencies matter. Only case reports and a few small pilot studies exist. No good evidence yet
• Menopause, grief and skin toning: Not studied in the sources we use. No good evidence yet · NCCIH, 2021

More on each need: A relaxed body · Feel calmer

Is it safe?

No serious side effects were reported in studies. Don't use electrical skin devices if you have epilepsy, a pacemaker or another implant, or are expecting a baby, unless your doctor agrees. Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation, 2021 · NHS, 2025 · NCCIH, 2020

Sessions on Sissoo complement medical care and never replace it. Please don’t stop or change any treatment without talking to your doctor. If you feel very low or think about ending your life, call your local emergency number now.

Checked 22 October 2026. Next check by April 2027. How we rate the evidence.