27.12 MHz Carrier
ActiPatch® uses a precisely tuned 27.12 MHz electromagnetic carrier in the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical band. The same frequency used in pulsed shortwave therapy research for decades.
ActiPatch® is an over-the-counter FDA-cleared device built on pulsed shortwave therapy, a nonthermal form of electromagnetic therapy used as an adjunct in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain. No drugs, no electrodes or gels. Wear directly on the skin with the included tape or a wrap, or over a thin layer of clothing; avoid thick fabric.
ActiPatch® is manufactured by BioElectronics Corporation (BIEL). Electrome holds the exclusive North American license.
ActiPatch® uses pulsed shortwave therapy (PSWT), a nonthermal form of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy. PSWT modulates cellular signaling associated with inflammation and pain, all without electrodes, gels, or any sensation during use.
The signal diagram at the top of this page is a schematic built from the 27.12 MHz carrier frequency. Burst spacing is drawn for clarity rather than to scale, and it shows how the signal is structured, not a measured patient response.
ActiPatch® uses a precisely tuned 27.12 MHz electromagnetic carrier in the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical band. The same frequency used in pulsed shortwave therapy research for decades.
PSWT operates at energy levels below any thermal effect. There is no heat, no warming sensation, and no perceptible feedback during use. The therapy fits comfortably into daily wear.
There are no electrodes, no gels, and no skin prep. Wear it directly on the skin with the included tape or over a thin layer of clothing.
ActiPatch® is FDA-cleared (510(k) K192234) for over-the-counter adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain, including muscle and joint pain. It can be used alongside other treatments. No prescription needed.
Pulsed shortwave therapy is supported by decades of peer-reviewed research across multiple chronic pain indications. Below is a conservative summary of the published clinical literature relevant to ActiPatch®.
A double-blind, sham-controlled randomized trial in knee osteoarthritis (Bagnato et al., Rheumatology 2016) reported pain and function improvements in its study population. Its findings do not guarantee an individual result.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in plantar fasciitis (Brook et al., J Foot Ankle Surg 2012) reported a significant reduction in first-step morning heel pain versus placebo.
A UK chronic-pain registry (Rawe & Kotak, Pain Management 2015) describes self-reported outcomes. As an observational registry without a sham comparison, it cannot by itself establish a treatment effect.
ActiPatch® is FDA-cleared (510(k) K192234) for over-the-counter adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain and can be used alongside other treatments. We say "supported by clinical evidence" because that reflects what the published literature shows.
Evidence is not interchangeable across devices. The knee osteoarthritis and plantar fasciitis studies above should be read alongside their study designs and limitations; the registry relies on self-report without a sham control. These sources do not establish superiority over TENS. For source details, see the publications library and the knee osteoarthritis evidence hub.
Individual results may vary. ActiPatch® is intended for adjunctive use alongside your current care plan. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any new therapy.
TENS and PSWT are fundamentally different therapeutic technologies that use different forms of energy delivery, treatment models, and clinical workflows. This comparison describes how they are used, not a head-to-head efficacy finding or a reason to replace prescribed care.
Read the full article, How Pulsed Shortwave Therapy (PSWT) Differs from TENS →
Technology characteristics vary between manufacturers and device classes.
Clearances are device specific. No technology class is cleared as a whole for one use, and no study here compares ActiPatch® head to head with NMES, EMS, or HFIT devices. This table describes design and labeling, not which works better.
A double blind trial evaluating pulsed shortwave therapy in knee osteoarthritis. Reported no statistically significant difference between active and placebo groups in the studied population.
Observational evidence on long-duration wearable PSWT use across chronic musculoskeletal pain populations, illustrating real world tolerability and adherence patterns.
Official FDA 510(k) clearance documentation for ActiPatch® as an over-the-counter (OTC) pulsed shortwave therapy device for pain management.
Comparative evaluation of FLIPUS and pulsed shortwave diathermy. Both modalities were considered safe within the study population while outcomes differed across measured endpoints.
Full citations live with the article: Primary references →
Informational use only. This page is not medical advice. ActiPatch® is FDA-cleared (510(k) K192234) for over-the-counter adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain and can be used alongside other treatments. Individual experiences vary. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new therapy.
ActiPatch® was built to disappear into your routine. Wearable, drug-free, and continuously active for up to 720 hours per device.
Lightweight and low profile, with up to 720 hours of therapy per device. Wear it continuously day and night, or in stretches with breaks, at rest or in motion.
Wear it and go, with nothing to connect or manage. Place it over the painful area, switch it on, and continue with your day.
Drug-free pain support that works alongside, not in place of, your current care plan. Talk with your provider about integrating ActiPatch® into your routine.
Put the science to work. ActiPatch® is FDA 510(k)-cleared, non-opioid, and built for flexible wear, continuously or as needed. It is available over-the-counter for adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain, including heel pain associated with plantar fasciitis.