Alpha-StimŽ Treatment for Anxiety, Depression, and Insomnia
Treatment for Anxiety, Depression, and Insomnia
Alpha-StimŽ Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation is an electrotherapeutic modality that
has FDA clearance for treating anxiety, depression, and insomnia. For almost 30
years, thousands of patients and health care professionals have been benefiting
from Alpha-StimŽ treatments.
Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES)
The Alpha-StimŽ SCS utilizes Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES), which is a
safe, non-drug approach to treat anxiety,
depression, and insomnia. Its tiny
"microcurrents" are thought to stimulate the areas of the brain responsible for
neurotransmitter and hormone production. CES produces beneficial changes in the
brain's electrical activity and can induce a pleasant, relaxed feeling of wellbeing.
Benefits to Counseling and EMDR
Because of its effectiveness with lowering stress and anxiety, the Alpha-StimŽ can be
very supportive to the counseling process and EMDR treatment. Some
clinicians believe that the Alpha-StimŽ treatment supports the central nervous
system (CNS) and therefore helps you to process feelings more effectively. Due to
its calming effect, the Alpha-Stim can support you to be more relaxed and focused,
allowing for more effective processing of trauma and painful feelings.
Scientific Research
The efficacy and safety of Alpha-StimŽ is backed by more than 50 research studies.
Most of the studies were double-blind placebo controlled and were conducted at major
universities in the U.S. Currently, the U.S. government is funding several Alpha-StimŽ
studies. At present, there are over 126 research studies on CES in humans and 29
experimental animal studies. The overwhelming majority of the scientific research
is extremely positive. No significant lasting side effects have been reported in
over two decades of use.
Clinical Results
In a survey of 47 physicians reporting on 500 patients, Alpha-StimŽ treatments
produced clinically significant results (at least 25% improvement) in the vast
majority of patients, including:
- 94% with anxiety
- 90% with depression
- 93% with stress
- 80% with insomnia
And, nearly half of the patients in the anxiety, depression, and stress categories
had 75 to 100% relief.
How the Alpha-StimŽ CES Works
According to neuroscientist, James Giordano, Ph.D., "The exact mechanism by which
Alpha-StimŽ produces effects is not fully known. However, based on previous and ongoing
studies, it appears that the Alpha-StimŽ microcurrent waveform activates particular groups
of nerve cells located at the brainstem, a site at the base of the brain that sits atop of
the spinal cord. These groups of nerve cells produce the chemicals serotonin and
acetylcholine, which can affect the chemical activity of nerve cells that are both
nearby and at more distant sites in the nervous system. In fact, these cells are
situated to control the activity of nerve pathways that run up into the brain and
that course down into the spinal cord."
The Alpha State
Dr. Giordano goes on to point out that "by changing the electrical and chemical activity
of certain nerve cells in the brainstem, Alpha-StimŽ appears to amplify activity in some
neurological systems, and diminish activity in others. This neurological 'fine tuning'
is called modulation, and occurs either as a result of, or together with the production
of a certain type of electrical activity pattern in the brain known as an alpha state
which can be measured on brain wave recordings (EEG). Such alpha rhythms are accompanied
by feelings of calmness, relaxation and increased mental focus. The neurological
mechanisms that are occurring during the alpha state appear to decrease stress-effects,
reduce agitation and stabilize mood, and control both sensations and perceptions of
particular types of pain."
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