Micro Dr. Article

The Micro Doctor is attractive with its blinking green, orange and yellow lights in a round disc case with purple and white strips. The Micro Doctor is a TENS device (Transcuataenous electrical nerve stimulator) operating in the micro amperage range. The Micro Doctor is quite different than the standard fare of units available.

The Micro Doctor runs programs only. You make simple decisions. Programs are labeled Balance, Health, Therapy and Electro-Point. Typically 90% of the time you will find the Balance or Health program will be suitable for maintenance treatments, body soreness, muscle, minor tendon and ligament injuries. There is no turning up/down or thinking about which frequency to use. Simply turn on, select a program and start. It automatically runs a 30 minute program and turns it’s self off. It’s easy to pause and start again to resume treatment ( which is a real plus when working with animals) and if you want to run an additional 10 minutes or so, just check the LED lights. Indicator LEDs count down every 5 minutes of treatment time.

The Micro Doctor runs a random pattern of frequencies and keeps the current (micro amps) at low comfortable levels. I call it a “SWEEPER PLUS”. Having used many units operating similarly in the random pattern mode (Sweepers) this unit adds new dimensions. In addition to sweeping in biphasic (alternating current) you can choose a positive or negative program. It’s the only sweeper on the market with programs and polarity control therefore nicked name “SWEEPER PLUS”.

Sweepers are great for people that are intimidated by to many controls or decisions to make. Constantly changing the frequency every few seconds is a treatment method favored by many clinicians in the human world. Sweepers are are good alternative for those wanting to utilize fast frequency change method but do not like doing it manually. The sweeping action is very handy for colicky horses, helping to relieve spasmodic pain and bowel impactions quickly.

Another huge bonus with the Micro Doctor is the GSR mode in the Electro Point program. The GSR (galvanic skin resistance) is a type of ohm meter allowing for electrode and wire checks (to make sure they are working properly). And the GSR can pinpoint areas of low or high resistance when read between electrodes touching the skins surface. Both features are a real advantage to have.

Any negatives? The GSR only works in the Electro Point program. For those who already have a clinic unit, you might think you would miss the lack of controls. The Micro Doctor does not allow you to set the current (amplitude) or choose a particular frequency. Actually for a second unit or home care unit this can be ideal. There are definitely times when a small sized automatic is a real advantage because you are free from having to make selections.

There will be the rare instance where a horse, dog or other animal will not like the sensation of a sweeper. They can feel busy to some individuals. A few highly sensitive Thoroughbreds, Arabians or the like (this includes small toy dogs) might react to the first treatments and be fine in subsequent treatment (animals that have been treated in their past with TENS devices in the milliamps tend to be the most guarded).

However, trust can be reestablished using techniques such as an electrode glove. The glove allows for the freedom to back off and not be touching the animals body. Then I could turn off the unit let the horse or dog look at it and smell my hands. Reintroducing electrical stimulation in this way builds trust quickly.

The Micro Doctor would be ideal for a busy veterinarian clinic. With limited controls to manage, automatic programs, automatic shut off and it’s mini size there are a lot of pluses with the Micro Doctor. You should consider the Micro Doctor a serious contender when making your selection for a quality micro amperage therapy device.