Updated on August 24, 2026

 

What is DR-HO’S Circulation Promoter medical device?

When we are in pain, even the most normal, everyday tasks can be a major challenge. Mentally, physically and emotionally, pain can drain us completely. Prolonged, ongoing, chronic pain affects more than 50 million adults in the USA and is the number 1 cause of disability and disease globally, which is why an easy home-use therapy device can matter so much in day-to-day life.

This guide explains what DR-HO'S Circulation Promoter is, how it works through TENS, EMS, and AMP technology, the main features and therapy modes it includes, how to use it correctly, how portable it is, and what to expect from its customer satisfaction guarantee.

DR-HO'S Circulation Promoter is a device that can be used: 

  1. For temporary relief of pain associated with sore and aching muscles including leg pain and foot pain, back pain, arm pain, neck and shoulder pain due to exercise or normal household work activities. 

  2. For symptomatic relief and management of chronic, intractable pain and relief of pain associated with arthritis. 

  3. To stimulate healthy muscles in order to improve and facilitate muscle performance. 

  4. To temporarily increase local blood circulation in healthy muscles.

How does it work?

DR-HO'S Circulation Promoter is powered by DR-HO'S Pain Therapy System which uses TENS Therapy, EMS Therapy, NMES Technology & DR-HO'S proprietary AMP Technology to provide temporary pain relief of sore and achy muscles. It also provides symptomatic relief of acute and chronic pain, right from the comfort of your own home.

Here is a breakdown of what those technologies are:

TENS Therapy: TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) gently stimulates the nerves to help reduce pain signals sent to the brain and provide temporary relief of pain. Additionally, TENS therapy is thought to aid in the release of endorphins — a naturally-occurring chemical that may also provide temporary pain relief.


EMS Therapy: EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) uses electrical stimulation to send electrical impulses through the foot pads and stimulate muscle contractions in the targeted muscle groups, working with the nervous system. This muscle activation works on the foot muscles and can also reach the lower legs and leg muscles, including the calf muscles. It may also help promote blood circulation, improve blood circulation, support improved circulation and blood flow, reduce muscle tension, encourage muscle relaxation, and aid muscle recovery. Stimulating healthy muscles also helps improve and facilitate muscle performance.

Relatedly, neuromuscular electrical stimulation is used in physical therapy for muscle strengthening, muscle strength support, and helping weakened muscles.

EMS may also help alleviate pain, soothe sore areas, and ease muscle pain, muscle tension, muscle spasms, persistent pain, and discomfort linked to plantar fasciitis.


NMES (Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation) helps maintain or increase range of motion and increase circulation. 


AMP (Auto Modulated Pulse) technology: This is Dr. Michael Ho's proprietary technology that provides over 300 different stimulations that vary in wavelength, frequency and rest periods. This technology can be found in the EMS massager and many more DR-HO products.


These constantly-changing stimulations are programmed to automatically change, so you get a soothing variety of pulses as you're using the device. This helps maintain effective relief compared with more basic units that use repetitive patterns. This proprietary technology is the key difference between the Circulation Promoter and other TENS devices on the market.


What does the Circulation Promoter do?

DR-HO'S Circulation Promoter device is specifically designed for use on the feet and lower limbs. The conductive footpads are divided into sections to better target different areas in the soles of the feet, with DR-HO'S conductive pads in the heel and arch areas to provide more consistent, comfortable and soothing stimulation.

These footpads are engineered to pass gentle TENS, EMS, NMES and AMP stimulations from the Pain Therapy device to the body. This provides targeted stimulation to the nerves and muscles in the feet.

It temporarily relieves pain associated with sore and aching foot and leg muscles and helps temporarily increase local blood circulation. If that's not enough, The Circulation Promoter is designed to feel like a soothing, hands-on massage, with sensations that feel like kneading, chopping, and rubbing.

What other features, such as gel pads, can I expect?

1. It's adaptable to use on other pain areas: DR-HO'S Pain Therapy System device can be detached from the Circulation Promoter and connected to body pads to use elsewhere on the body. For example, if you're experiencing back pain, try placing the large body pads on either side of the back and feel the soothing massage and temporary pain relief. You can also use the body pads to stimulate your muscles to temporarily help increase local circulation.

2. It's easy to use: Spray some gel or water on the smart electrodes. Put your feet on the footpads. Turn the Pain Therapy device on and enjoy. It's that easy!

3. It's portable: Since DR-HO'S Circulation Promoter is battery powered (2 AAA batteries), it's conveniently portable. It's the perfect companion while travelling and can be used at work, while relaxing at home, and on-the-go.

4. It has 3 therapy modes: Select three different therapy modes that feel like three different massage techniques! Mode A feels like a deep, kneading massage; mode B feels like gentle chopping and shaking; mode C feels like gentle soothing and rubbing. Choose the mode that you like best!

5. It has an auto shut-off timer: Select from either 10, 20 or 40 minutes and the device will turn off automatically.   

How to use the Circulation Promoter: User Manual

DR-HO'S Circulation Promoter is easy and convenient to use. Follow the simple instructions below to get the most out of your unit: 

  1. Ensure 2 AAA alkaline batteries are inserted into the Pain Therapy System Device.

  2. Insert one end of the connecting wire into the Pain Therapy System device and insert the other end of the connecting wire into the Circulation Promoter foot base.

  3. Use the spray bottle to spray water on the foot pads on the Circulation Promoter and then use the spray bottle to spray water on the bottom of your bare feet, as hydration improves electrical conduction.

  4. Place bare feet onto the footpads on the Circulation Promoter. 

  5. To activate, slowly turn the intensity dial on the Pain Therapy device until you begin to feel the sensation

  6. Adjust the mode to your desired massage specifications and set the automatic timer by pressing the time button to your desired duration: 10, 20 or 40 minutes. For most users, sessions of about 20 to 30 minutes work well with these timer options. Daily or near-daily use is generally more effective than occasional sessions.

If you have certain medical conditions, consult a healthcare provider before use. Do not use the device on broken skin or if you have certain medical conditions.

Watch the video below for a step-by-step instruction on how to use the DR-HO’S Circulation Promoter unit and baseplate:

If you need more detailed Circulation Promoter instructions, check the user manual, as some users can download the manual online for setup and troubleshooting with the pro unit. If the download appears greyed out or fails, you can request the manual via email.

Try it with a 100-Day Money-Back Guarantee!

We understand that switching to any new type of pain relief method comes with a certain amount of hesitation: Will it work for me? Is it a quality product? Does it do what it says it will do?

If you're not satisfied with something you bought directly from DR-HO'S, simply send it back for a full refund of the purchase price, less the price of shipping and fees (if applicable). Non-refundable fees include any trial, administrative, processing or payment setup fees.

Before considering a return, we strongly recommend either contacting our customer service line or our frequently asked questions section as many issues can be resolved with just a little bit of friendly advice.

Learn more about Circulation on the DR-HO'S Blog!

How Does a TENS & EMS Foot Massager Work?
Why the Circulation Promoter is an Excellent Foot & Leg Massager for Pain Sufferers
How Does DR-HO'S Circulation Promoter Work to Temporarily Relieve Pain?
7 Common Signs of Poor Circulation
EMS Foot Massagers: Frequently Asked Questions About EMS
Is There a Treatment for Poor Circulation in the Hands and Feet?
Ankle Pain Relief: How to Deal With Different Types of Ankle Pain



Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes, and should not be treated as medical advice. While our advanced TENS machine can benefit various pain conditions through its sophisticated combination of TENS, EMS, and NMES guided by our proprietary AMP Technology, proper diagnosis ensures optimal pad placement and treatment protocols. Always consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis before beginning any treatment program.

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