Date: February 27, 2003
Organization: Timothy C. Short, Psy.D.
Location: Melbourne, Florida
Author: Timothy C. Short, Psy.D.
Indications: Pain, Depression

I would have never thought that I would be telling this sort of story or that I would become a proponent of a specific medical intervention but I have to share my experiences with the Alpha-Stim® 100.

My wife is totally disabled. Following an injury seven years ago she was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. This illness has expressed itself with depression, impaired concentration and memory, fatigue, intractable pain and debilitating migraines. During the course of her illness we have tried everything. In the spirit of brevity I will not be specific but believe me when I say everything. October of 2002 a patient of mine, also with fibromyalgia, offered to loan me her Alpha-Stim® 100. She had received it several years ago while attending a pain clinic in Washington state and found it beneficial. I accepted the loan of the Alpha-Stim® with ambivalence. As I mentioned we have tried everything. There are three ways of applying the Alpha-Stim®. Electrodes that clip to the ears, electrodes with adhesive that can be applied to the skin, and electrodes attached to a plastic pen like structure, which are designed to be moved from point to point. My patient included some protocols for all three modalities. The electrodes produce a small pulse of electricity and which is called Microcurrent Electrical Therapy (MET). The Alpha-Stim® sat around for several days. Actually I had accepted the loan more as a courtesy than an experiment. One evening my wife began to complain of a migraine. The usual procedure was for her to then take a Zomig. Wait 30 minutes and, in almost all cases, then take an Imitrex injection, lay down for a couple of hours and get up with a "bruised head." On that night I used the Alpha-Stim®. I used the probes and followed the protocol for head and neck pain. The treatment consisted of ten second applications of the probes bilaterally to several points on the head, neck and shoulders. The total time was about three minutes. My wife sat quietly while I followed the protocol, I must say with ambivalence, fully expecting to be sent for the Zomig and the Imitrex.

Three minutes later I asked how she was and her reply was, "much better. I'm back to my usual level of pain." She later noted that she went from a nine to a two. I was still ambivalent.... Placebo effect? The great healing hands of the old husband? Nurturing? I wasn't sure but I was interested. We had the same results with two subsequent migraines (at least weekly occurrences). About that time my wife began using the ear clip application once a day for 45 minutes. Currently she uses the clips twice a day for 20 minutes each time.

In November we asked our physician to prescribe an Alpha-Stim®. He rolled his eyes, commented that it was "harmless," and wrote the prescription. We returned to our physician in early February. We told him that my wife had not filled a prescription for her migraine medication since October. She still has her Imitrex and Zomig from that October prescription. She reported no migraines for the last twelve weeks. She also noted that she felt less depressed, has more energy and improved concentration. I have watched her return to cooking, an activity that she had been unable to organize or accomplish for several years, increase her activity with her grandchildren and house chores all while demonstrating an improved mood and affect. Her concentration improved and family members began to remark that mom was, "more with it." Use of pain medication decreased. Now I was really interested and so was my physician. We continued to use the Alpha-Stim® as mentioned above. We seldom have to use the probes for head pain but we are using applications for back and leg pain prn. I have even begun using the ear clips myself for 20 minutes every other day and find them to be relaxing.

Exploring the literature increased my interest. There is research showing benefits in the treatment of pain, anxiety, depression, insomnia, fibromyalgia, substance abuse inpatient treatment, MS etc. etc. I have used the ear clips to treat anxiety and depression with some of my patients and have found mild to marked benefits reported. In patients who are suffering from chronic pain use of the ear clips is usually accompanied by an increase in energy, mood and in most cases a reported decrease in pain. The concomitant conditions of chronic pain, anxiety and depression would seem to argue that reduction in one area could well be expected to bring about improvement in another. Of course the Alpha-Stim® 100 does not help everybody, nor does penicillin for that matter, but I am very interested in seeing that this method of treatment be made available to appropriate patients and that physicians learn of this treatment modality. Several of my patients are being prescribed the Alpha-Stim® by their physicians usually with the same eye rolling that our family physician used at the beginning. I look forward to their input and working in conjunction with them using the Alpha-Stim®. By the way, I have loaned our family doc an Alpha-Stim® and he was delighted. He's experimenting, and learning as I write. I have a busy practice but I have also decided to become an Alpha-Stim® Distributor. I have never been much of a businessman, which is perhaps one of the distant reasons I became a psychologist, but I want this technology available in this area. I, with my staff, will supply Alpha-Stims, information, materials and support. The best thing I can say is that my wife is better, not cured but markedly better. Better than the Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor, Zanaflex, Oxicodone, Acupuncture, physical therapy, herbs, supplements, support groups, message, chiropractic, Imitrex, Zomig, Maltrex had ever accomplished in combination or by themselves. We still use some antidepressants and pain meds but have plans for the reductions of both. No migraine medications in almost twenty weeks! No migraines! Depression markedly improved!

Thanks for your time. I hope that I did not go on to long, it's just that I have watched the decline of my wife and lived with her disability for seven years now, so I am a real sucker for IMPROVEMENT!

Date: March 6, 2000 
Organization: Arun D. Kulkarni, M.D.
Location: Bombay, India 
Author: Arun D. Kulkarni, M.D.
Indications: Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia

As per our study design I am conducting cases and devoting time myself. At present I have got only four cases of fibromyalgia and another five cases of chronic pain, like PID at D2, cervical spondylosis and chronic back pain.

In the fibromyalgia cases I am giving only CES, but in other patients I have used either the probes or electrodes also.

Over all patients are happy with the treatment and they are getting good relief from pain. Fibromyalgia cases respond extremely well and are getting 80 to 90% relief. I am also highly convinced about Alpha-Stim® technology now.

As word get out about this treatment, our patient flow will increase and the study will gain momentum. A few of my colleagues want to own an Alpha-Stim® unit in the future for personal use after seeing its long term results. Please continue to give us guidance from time to time.

Date: May 12, 2000
Organization:
Location: Richmond, CA
Author: Elizabeth F. Nelson, M.D.
Indications: Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia

I have been using the Alpha-Stimulator for about one year. I have found it very easy to use and quiet effective. In the past I have used the Liss Stimulator but have found it cumbersome to use and not especially effective. I have used the Brain Tuner developed by Robert Beck, Ph.D. I have also found the Alpha-Stim® to be more effective. Thank you for your willingness to do the research to validate the efficacy of Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation.

Date: March 27, 2002
Organization: Robert F. Fischer, M.D.
Location: Anderson, CA
Author: Robert F. Fischer, M.D.
Indications: Anxiety, Depression

I am a psychiatrist practicing in California and I have had the opportunity to utilize the Extra Cranial Stimulation function of the Alpha-Stim® 100 Unit for the past eight years, observing its beneficial effects.

I have been extremely impressed by this function's antidepressant and anti-anxiety benefits through its ability to help the user "let go" of their habitual thoughts and feelings.

It has been extremely effective in ameliorating symptoms in both mild depression and mild anxiety states in a remarkably rapid and efficient manner.

Date: July 10, 2002
Organization: Animal Fitness Center
Location: Union, MO
Author: Ava Frick, DVM
Indications: Pain, Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia

To: Vet Practice News

RE: July Issue & Pain Management Focus

It is great that you have opened up the field of animal pain management through your magazine. This has certainly been an area previously overlooked in veterinary care. In reviewing this issue I found ten articles concerning this topic in which the bottom line for all except one (acupuncture) revolved around the use of chemical drugs.

At my practice, Animal Fitness Center, P.C., the slogan is; "Eliminating pain is what we do best!" I am AVCA certified in animal chiropractic and with that have focused the past 5 years in rehabilitation and pain management.

There is technology available that would apply to every pain article plus "Anxious Pet May Need Drug Therapy" as well and it is drug free. Electromedical Products International, Inc. 21 years ago developed microcurrent technology using alpha wave modification. Alpha-Stim® 100 is a precision medical instrument licensed for the control of anxiety, insomnia, depression and pain. I have used this on many cases where conventional drugs were not helping the animal and without side effects of the drugs. Owners can lease the unit and continue therapy at home.

I encourage you to open up your magazine just one step further and take a closer look at Alpha-Stim®. The veterinary profession needs to become more aware of ALL that is available for pain management. You may contact me or visit the web sites.