The Alpha-Stim for depression, insomnia and fibromyalgia

We have recently completed evaluating the Alpha Stim, a device for treating anxiety, depression and insomnia, and I will say I have never found anything that works so well. The Alpha-Stim uses a method called cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES). I believe the use of CES is vastly better than drugs, with all their nasty side effects.

The treatment is remarkably simple; the current is applied by ear clip electrodes that are clipped on the ear lobes. Just 20 to 40 minutes of use each day will induce a feeling of relaxation and well being. Used for anxiety the results are usually immediate, for depression or insomnia it may take week or two for results to be apparent.

A large part of the problem with fibromyalgia is the poor quality sleep. It takes more than two hours for a person to reach Delta sleep, and unfortunately for fibromyalgics, their brain fires off Alpha waves about every two hours so bringing them up to light Alpha sleep again and depriving them of deep restorative delta sleep. The fibromyalgia sufferer never reaches DELTA sleep, the deepest level of sleep where mind and body repair takes place.

For my wife's fibromyalgia, she wore the clips for 30 to 60 minutes each evening and slept like a log at night. I could always tell if she forgot to use the CES unit because she would toss and turn all night. We found that after about 6 months of regular use the problem was solved, and she now sleeps soundly without the need for the CES. The effect of this is that with good sleep her fibromyalgia is much improved.

In the clinic, I've found the alpha stim is also useful for relieving nerve pain.

Gary Clark

Electrical Stimulation and Electropathology Author: J. Patrick Reilly Description This book is the first to offer a cohesive treatment of the subject, covering fundamental principles, specific human responses, and electrical safety. The book begins with a description of fundamental bioelectric principles...

Neuro Muscular Electrical Stimulation: A Practical Guide (4th Edition) [STUDENT EDITION] Author: PhD Lucinda L. Baker (Author), et al PT Description A practical guide for the clinical use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation, including stimulation programs for muscle strengthening, range of motion and re-education. Pictures showing electrode placements and stimulated responses for most muscles of the upper and low extremities...

Applied Bioelectricity: From Electrical Stimulation to Electropathology Author: J. Patrick Reilly Description Electric currents and electromagnetic fields have been applied to biological systems, particularly humans, with both therapeutic and pathological results. This text discusses biological responses to electric currents and electromagnetic fields, including medical applications and shock hazards...

Electrical Stimulation in Pain Relief: Pain Research and Clinical Managemnet Series, Volume 15, 1e (Pain Research and Clinical Management) Description This book is about the history, science, technology and current clinical applications of electrical stimulation for the relief of pain. The clinical applications are diverse, from angina and the pain of peripheral vascular disease to the agony of interstitial cystitis (a promising new indication), from the mysterious and disabling complex regional pain syndromes to phantom pain and stroke pain...

Electrical Stimulation, Ultrasound and Laser Light Handbook, 1e Author: Michelle H. Cameron MD PT OCS Description This one-of-a-kind handbook is an excellent, quick-reference refresher on key points related to the appropriate and effective use of electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and laser light in clinical rehabilitative practice...

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