Developed based on the notion that pain usually originates from several different places in the body, microcurrent point stimulation (MPS)—formerly called electro therapeutic point stimulation (ETPS)—involves a seven-step approach to pain treatment in which the therapist or other medical professional uses a small electrical device to relax muscles and calm the nervous system. It also initiates the release of endorphins, which further assist in pain relief. It does this by delivering an electrical current to tissues in which the bio-electric frequency associated with cell function has been disturbed, due to injury or other health conditions. This current allows for innervation within the affected neural pathways and increases circulation. Though it is an FDA-approved form of pain treatment, microcurrent point stimulation is typically used in an adjunctive capacity. MPS devices are similar to Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) devices except that MPS uses direct current stimulation, whereas TENS uses alternating current stimulation. MPS also uses a much lower range of current power. MPS is commonly used to treat soft tissue inflammation and scar tissue, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, bone bruising, old bone fractures, shingles, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome, and joint impingement. While it is a relatively new form of treatment, MPS has grown in popularity as a noninvasive, drug-free pain treatment option.