Since 1997, FSM practitioners have developed clinical protocols for dozens of conditions. Where published peer-reviewed research exists, it is noted below. All protocols are taught in FSM Core and Advanced training courses and are applied by licensed healthcare practitioners in clinical settings.

The Research Behind FSM

FSM's clinical applications are supported by a growing body of peer-reviewed publications, institutional adoption, and documented clinical outcomes.

459+
Google Scholar Results
260+
Academic Citations
29
Years of Clinical Use
4000+
Trained Practitioners Worldwide
๐Ÿฆด
Musculoskeletal & Pain Conditions
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Published Research
Fibromyalgia from Cervical Spine Trauma
Published research has documented measurable reductions in inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-ฮฑ) and Substance P during FSM treatment sessions. Practitioners commonly use specific protocols when working with patients presenting fibromyalgia associated with cervical spine trauma.
๐Ÿ“„ Published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Published Research
Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
A published study examined the effects of specific FSM frequencies on DOMS and documented changes in time-to-recovery that researchers noted had not been demonstrated with other interventions.
๐Ÿ“„ Peer-reviewed publication available
Clinical Protocols
Myofascial Pain & Trigger Points
FSM protocols have been developed for myofascial pain and trigger point conditions. Dr. McMakin is a contributing author to "Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual" (3rd edition, Travell, Simons & Simons).
๐Ÿ“„ Textbook contribution โ€” Travell, Simons & Simons
Clinical Protocols
Low Back Pain
Practitioners commonly apply FSM protocols when working with patients experiencing low back pain. Protocols address disc, ligament, muscle, and nerve involvement individually using frequency-specific combinations.
Protocols Developed
Neck Pain
FSM protocols have been developed for cervical spine conditions including disc, nerve, and facet joint involvement. Specific frequency combinations are taught in FSM Core training.
Protocols Developed
Shoulder Pain
Protocols have been developed addressing rotator cuff, bursitis, and frozen shoulder presentations. Practitioners apply specific frequency combinations based on the tissue involved.
Protocols Developed
Spinal Disc Pain
FSM protocols specifically target disc tissue using frequency combinations developed for disc-related pain presentations. These are among the most commonly used protocols in clinical practice.
Protocols Developed
Tendon & Ligament Injury
Specific frequency combinations have been developed for tendon and ligament conditions including Achilles tendonitis, tennis elbow, and sprains/strains.
Protocols Developed
Osteoarthritis
Practitioners commonly use FSM protocols when working with patients presenting osteoarthritis. Frequency combinations address joint, cartilage, and inflammatory components.
Protocols Developed
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Pain
FSM protocols for TMJ address disc, ligament, and muscle components including pterygoid and masseter involvement. Intra-oral treatment protocols using graphite gloves have been developed.
Protocols Developed
Sports Injuries
FSM protocols are used by practitioners working with athletes at professional and competitive levels, including teams in the NFL, NHL, and Olympic programs. Dedicated sports protocols are taught in the FSM Sports & Rehab course.
Protocols Developed
Fractures
Protocols have been developed for use alongside standard fracture care. Published research on microcurrent has documented its ability to support healing in wounds and fractures.
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Neurological Conditions
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Clinical Protocols
Concussion & Traumatic Brain Injury
FSM protocols have been applied in clinical settings for post-concussion patients. Protocols were used at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence at the National Naval Medical Center, where Dr. McMakin lectured in 2011.
๐Ÿ›๏ธ Protocols used at Walter Reed / National Intrepid Center
Clinical Protocols
Nerve Pain & Neuropathy
Practitioners commonly use FSM protocols when working with patients experiencing nerve pain, peripheral neuropathy, and neuromuscular pain conditions. Specific frequency combinations target nerve tissue.
Clinical Protocols
Vagus Nerve Dysfunction
FSM protocols addressing the vagus nerve have been developed and are among the topics covered in advanced FSM training. Vagus nerve protocols are a frequently discussed topic in practitioner webinars.
Protocols Developed
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), CRPS is one of the conditions for which FSM protocols have been developed. Practitioners apply specific frequency combinations in clinical settings.
Protocols Developed
Post-Stroke Thalamic Pain Syndrome
Protocols have been developed for post-stroke pain presentations. These are taught in the FSM Core training course as part of the neurological protocols curriculum.
Protocols Developed
Headaches & Migraines
FSM protocols have been developed for tension headaches, migraine headaches, and related presentations. Practitioners report these as among the most commonly applied protocols in clinical practice.
Protocols Developed
Sciatica
Protocols addressing sciatic nerve involvement and related disc and nerve root conditions have been developed and are taught in FSM training courses.
Protocols Developed
Bell's Palsy
FSM protocols have been developed for practitioners working with patients presenting Bell's palsy. Specific frequency combinations for nerve and facial muscle tissue are applied.
Protocols Developed
Shingles & Post-Herpetic Neuralgia
Protocols addressing shingles and the nerve pain that can follow (post-herpetic neuralgia) have been developed for clinical application by FSM practitioners.
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Inflammatory & Post-Surgical Conditions
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Published Research
Acute Inflammation
Published research has documented measurable changes in inflammatory cytokines during FSM application. Blinded animal research at the University of Sydney demonstrated a 62% reduction in COX-mediated inflammation markers with a 4-minute time-dependent response.
๐Ÿ“„ Peer-reviewed animal and human studies available
Published Research
Wound Healing
Published research has examined the effects of microcurrent on wound healing, documenting a 39% increase in vascularity and 48% increase in elastin in healing tissue. University of Washington data is available for review.
๐Ÿ“„ University research published
Clinical Protocols
Post-Surgical Recovery
Post-operative FSM protocols have been developed and applied in clinical settings. Published burn study data documented range-of-motion improvements that held. Protocols are used by practitioners working with post-surgical patients.
Protocols Developed
Scar Tissue
FSM protocols have been specifically developed to address scar tissue. Frequency combinations targeting scarring are among the foundational protocols taught in FSM Core training.
Protocols Developed
Lymphedema
Protocols addressing lymphatic congestion and lymphedema have been developed for clinical application by FSM practitioners.
Protocols Developed
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
FSM protocols addressing PTSD have been developed and applied in clinical settings. Emotional frequency combinations (970 series) are taught in FSM training courses.
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Visceral & Internal Conditions
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Clinical Protocols
Liver Inflammation
FSM protocols addressing liver inflammation have been developed and are applied in clinical settings. Visceral protocols are covered in FSM Core and Advanced training.
Protocols Developed
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Protocols have been developed for practitioners working with patients presenting IBS and related gastrointestinal conditions.
Protocols Developed
Kidney Stone Pain
FSM protocols have been developed for use with patients experiencing kidney stone pain. These are taught in FSM training courses as part of the visceral protocols curriculum.
Protocols Developed
Interstitial Cystitis
Protocols addressing interstitial cystitis have been developed for clinical application by FSM practitioners.
Protocols Developed
Endometriosis
FSM protocols have been developed for practitioners working with patients presenting endometriosis.
Protocols Developed
Asthma & Bronchitis
Protocols addressing respiratory conditions including asthma and bronchitis have been developed for clinical use by FSM practitioners.
Protocols Developed
Sinusitis
FSM protocols for sinus conditions have been developed and are commonly applied by practitioners in clinical settings.
Protocols Developed
Gout
Protocols addressing gout have been developed for clinical application by FSM-trained practitioners.
Protocols Developed
Goiter
FSM protocols have been developed for practitioners working with patients presenting goiter conditions.
Protocols Developed
Benign Prostate Hypertrophy (BPH)
Protocols addressing BPH have been developed for clinical application by FSM practitioners.
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Specialty Applications
โ–ผ
Clinical Protocols
Pediatric Applications
FSM protocols have been used at Cleveland Clinic's Children's Hospital for cystic fibrosis rehabilitation. Pediatric applications are developed and applied by qualified practitioners.
๐Ÿ›๏ธ Used at Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital
Published Research
Veterinary Applications
Blinded animal research has documented frequency-specific responses with no placebo effect possible. A University of Sydney study documented a 62% reduction in LOX-mediated inflammation markers with a 4-minute time-dependent response. 100% of animals responded.
๐Ÿ“„ University of Sydney blinded study
Clinical Protocols
Macular Degeneration
Published peer-reviewed research exists for macular degeneration applications (dry and wet). These protocols are scope-limited to qualified eye professionals including optometrists and ophthalmologists.
๐Ÿ“„ Peer-reviewed publication in eye-specific applications
Protocols Developed
Emotional & Psychological Conditions
Emotional frequency combinations (970 series) have been developed and are taught in FSM training. Practitioners apply these protocols in clinical settings alongside standard care approaches.
Protocols Developed
Dental Applications
FSM protocols for dental conditions including TMJ, oral health, and the dental-systemic disease connection have been developed. Intra-oral treatment protocols using graphite gloves are taught in dedicated FSM Dental training.
Protocols Developed
Vestibular Injuries
FSM protocols addressing vestibular conditions and the visual-vestibular connection have been developed. The BIVSS (Vestibular Injury Assessment) is available as a clinical reference for practitioners.

Understanding the Evidence Tags:

Published Research โ€” Peer-reviewed published studies exist for this application

Clinical Protocols โ€” Documented clinical application with institutional use or significant case documentation

Protocols Developed โ€” Clinical protocols have been developed and are taught in FSM training courses