Magcell Proves Beneficial in Relief of Rotator Cuff Pain - Patient Self Treatment Experience
Chronic rotator cuff pain treated over three weeks with a Magcell Microcirc in self care with successful outcome.
Background
Mrs N is 68 years of age, of slim build and leads a very active life. She looks after many animals, including cats, dogs and our feathered friends.
Mrs N was diagnosed with Osteoporosis in 2011; a condition that weakens bones and develops slowly over several years. Osteoporosis is often only diagnosed when a fall or sudden impact causes a bone to break, she has suffered two fractures of the left wrists once in 1984 and again, in 2021. Mrs N previously used Deep Oscillation electrostatic therapy in self care for recovery from the recently fractured wrist, with very successful results and excellent scar healing.
Mrs N also has Hypercalcaemia; a condition in which the calcium level in blood is above normal. Too much calcium in blood can weaken bones, create kidney stones, and interfere with how the heart and brain work. Mrs N also suffers with Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and Coeliac disease.
In April 2021, in conversation with Mary from PhysioPod, Mrs N mentioned a problem with pain in her shoulder and upper arm which she had had since Summer 2020.
An ultrasound carried out by a private Physiotherapist had revealed a significant calcium build-up within the tendons of the group of muscles around the rotator cuff.
Treatment with Physiotherapist:
Radial shockwave therapy was carried out every three weeks with a total of three treatments. Pain relief was instant, but when the end of the three week period was nearing, the pain had returned. It became apparent to Mrs N and the Physiotherapist that shockwave would not be a successful solution to the problem.
Magnetic Resonance Therapy (MRT or MBST), was recommended, but being a more expensive option, was one that Mrs N was contemplating.
In relaying this information to PhysioPod, it was suggested that a Magcell Microcirc (again, a self-care device) could be beneficial.
Magcell Information
Magcell Microcirc is based on pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) which permeates a 3-5 cm depth and is proven to encourage and increase blood flow to the area (Funk et al, 2014):
“MAGCELL® MICROCIRC significantly increases micro-circulation (p < 0,001) while nitric oxide (NO) has a blood vessel dilatory effect. The application of the rotating MagCell-SR to the HUVEC cultures leads to a rapid onset and a significant increase of Nitric Oxide (NO) release after 15 minutes. Thus, frequencies between 4 and 12 Hz supplied by the device improve microcirculation significantly. Therefore, this device can be used in all clinical situations where an improvement of the microcirculation is useful like in chronic wound healing deficits.”
Self Treatment Protocol
On 9th April 2021, contraindications checked, Mrs N began a 3 week trial of the Magcell Microcirc.
Treatment was suggested as 3 times a day (15 mins duration), just holding the Magcell on the shoulder.
Results
15th April: (6 days in) text message received: "Just a quickie to let you know I think the machine must be working, yesterday was my first day without paracetamol"
30th April: Unit returned after 21 days, shoulder pain free with no pain medication required.
"I used it for 15 minutes 3 times a day, as instructed, for three weeks. It’s the most pain relief I’ve had since last Summer."
Follow Up
12th May: How is shoulder now? "It seems to be much better Mary, I had one day this week when I thought 'oh that’s not good' and but the actual pain doesn’t seem to be there as much"
24th May: Follow up appointment with NHS Physiotherapist has provided new gentle range-of-motion exercises to help restore normal movement in the affected shoulder. Cortisone injections have been suggested as another treatment should the pain return in the future.
25th May: "Since we last spoke, I have taken one paracetamol when I was playing netball."
Magcell
Studies Magcell
Funk HW, Knels L., Augstein A., Marquetant R., Dertinger HF (2014): Potent Stimulation of Blood Flow of Volunteers after Local Short-Term Treatment with Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields from a Novel Device. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2014. Article ID 543564, 9 pages. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/543564 .
Geiger G., Mikus E., Dertinger H., Rick O. (2015): Low frequency magnetic field therapy in patients with cytostatic-induced polyneuropathy: A phase II pilot study. Bioelectromagnetics 36 (3): 251-254. doi: 10.1002 / bem.21897.
Hitrov NA, Portnov VV (2008): MAGCELL® ARTHRO in the treatment of osteoarthritis in the knee joint. Naturopathy 3, 25-27.
Leoci R., Aiudi G., Silvestre F., Lissner E., Lacalandra GM (2014): Effect of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy on Prostate Volume and Vascularity in the Traetment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Pilot Study in a Canine Model. The Prostate 74: 1132-1141.
Reimschüssel A., Bodenburg P. (2009): Low-frequency electromagnetic fields. Successful in the therapy of myoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint. Naturopathy 5, 28.
Rick O., von Hehn U., Mikus E., Dertinger H., Geiger G. (2017): Magnetic Field Therapy in Patients With Cytostatics-Induced Polyneuropathy: A Prospective Randomized Placebo-Controlled Phase-III Study. Bioelectromagnetics 38 (2): 85-94 :. doi: 10.1002 / bem.22005.
Wuschech H., von Hehn U., Mikus E., Funk RH (2015): Effects of PEMF on patients with osteoarthritis: Results of a prospective, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Bioelectromagnetics 36 (8), 576-585.