The therapy
Effective treatment for acute, chronic or postoperative pain without the use of opiates
The “ Calmare Scrambler Therapy®” is a non-invasive and painless approach to treating acute, chronic, and post-operative pain. Unlike pain medications, our treatment causes no side effects and is non-addictive.
Calmare Scrambler Therapy® stimulates peripheral nerves to alter sensory signals to the spinal cord. Stimulation is achieved by applying electrode pads to the skin near the painful area and delivering low-voltage current.
The signals, transmitted via small sensory fibers, convey the message "no pain" to the spinal cord and brain. Once the electrodes are correctly placed, the patient no longer feels pain because the device overrides the pain signals.
Treatment procedure
In the typical 10-12 treatment sessions (over a two-week period), pain and the need for narcotic pain medication are gradually reduced until an 80 percent reduction in pain is achieved (in many cases, complete disappearance of pain). Pain relief, which reduces the need for narcotic pain medication, is long-term (three months to well over a year). Booster treatments (usually 1-3 sessions) are performed as needed if pain recurs.
The Calmare Scrambler Therapy® has successfully treated patients with severe chronic neuropathic pain caused by underlying diseases for which there is no other effective medical treatment other than the administration of pain medication.
Technical information and effects of Calmare Scrambler Therapy ®
The MC-5A, which received full 510(k) clearance from the FDA in February 2009, is a computer-assisted medical device that applies a low-current electrical signal that transmits synthetic, non-painful information to surface C-fiber nerve receptors via disposable surface electrodes on the skin (similar to an ECG).
Calmare Scrambler Therapy® synthesizes 16 different types of nerve action potentials similar to the body's own, assembles them into sequences, and uses algorithms to determine patient-specific cutaneous electrical stimulation for pain reduction and elimination. ST attempts to replace "pain" information with artificial "non-pain" information.
Replace "pain information"
By relaying corrective information (bioelectrical codes) via the periphery (dermatomes) to the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and the central nervous system, the new code "tricks" the brain into considering a recognizable non-pain code as real and self-generated. When this happens, there is an immediate "extinction" of pain. Through plasticity, the brain then learns to expect, seek, and prefer the non-pain code.
The MC-5A technology was developed based on the research of Professor Giuseppe Marineo, a researcher and bioengineer, founder and director of Delta Research and Development.
Delta R&D is affiliated with the University of Tor Vergata in Rome, Italy. On February 19, 2013, the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted an international patent for Scrambler Therapy.
The ST is also patented in Italy. The device is certified by the European Union with the CE mark.
Pain reduction is usually noticed during the first treatment session. After the initial series of treatments, pain relief can last from one month to a year or longer, depending on the individual patient.
Calmare Scrambler Therapy® has proven to be very effective for the following conditions and pain symptoms
Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (CIPN)
CIPN is caused by the toxic effects of chemotherapy drugs. It is often an irreversible condition that causes pain, numbness, tingling, and temperature sensitivity in the hands.
CIPN is caused by the toxic effects of chemotherapy drugs. It is often an irreversible condition that manifests as pain, numbness, tingling, and temperature sensitivity in the hands and feet. Calmare Scrambler Therapy® is an effective treatment option for CIPN and spares you the toxic side effects of medication.
Chronic cancer pain
Calamare Scrambler Therapy® is FDA-approved for the treatment of pain associated with visceral cancers such as pancreatic, breast, bladder, lung, prostate, colon, rectal, kidney, ovarian, cervical, liver, and uterine cancer.
Calmare Scrambler Therapy® can help you reduce or eliminate your use of opiate pain medications.
Chronic neuropathic pain
Peripheral polyneuropathy is a condition caused by damage to the nerves that carry messages from the brain to the periphery via the spinal cord. There are many causes of peripheral neuropathy, including diabetes, inflammation, excessive alcohol consumption, kidney failure, infections, and nutritional and vitamin deficiencies. Symptoms depend on the type of nerves affected and can include weakness, numbness, a prickling sensation, and pain in the hands and feet. Calmare Therapy® for neuropathy has proven to be a very successful treatment option.
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS)
This is a pain syndrome resulting from previous back surgery. The pain may decrease after surgery but still be present. In some cases, the pain may increase over time as scar tissue forms around the nerve roots of the spine. This often leads to tissue pain and muscle spasms. Most patients do not respond to standard therapies such as opioid analgesics or antispasmodic medications. Calmare Therapy® is an effective option for treating your pain.
Sciatic pain
The well-known sciatic pain usually affects the back and can radiate down the legs. It is usually caused by a herniated disc, a bone spur on the spine, or a narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis) that presses on part of the nerve.
This can lead to inflammation, pain, and numbness in the affected leg.
This very unpleasant pain can subside within 6 weeks, but for some people, recovery can take longer or require surgery.
Calmare Therapy® has already helped thousands of people suffering from sciatica pain.
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)
Postherpetic neuralgia is the most common complication of shingles and affects nerve fibers and the skin. The symptoms of postherpetic neuralgia are usually limited to the area where the shingles first broke out and can include burning pain, sensitivity to touch (allodynia), itching, and numbness.
Calmare Therapy® can help you relieve these unpleasant sensations.
Brachial plexus neuropathy
Brachial plexus neuropathy is a form of peripheral neuropathy caused by damage to one or more nerves in the upper shoulder area. Damage to the brachial plexus is often the result of direct nerve injury, but can also be caused by birth trauma, stretching injury, radiation therapy, pressure from tumors, autoimmune disease, inflammatory conditions, and exposure to toxins. The consequences are pain, numbness, burning, tingling, and weakness. The affected area can be the shoulder, arm, or hand. Occasionally, patients develop Horner's syndrome, which can lead to narrowing of the pupil, a drooping eyelid, and lack of sweating on the affected side. Calmare Therapy® can relieve pain and numbness.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by widespread pain in the musculoskeletal system, usually accompanied by fatigue, sleep disturbances, memory loss, and mood swings. Fibromyalgia may intensify painful sensations because it affects the way the brain processes pain signals. Other symptoms that may occur in those affected include fatigue, headaches, depression, abdominal pain, dry eyes, and bladder problems. Common trigger points are the back of the head, the upper shoulders, the upper chest, the hips, the outer elbows, and the hips. Calmare Therapy® has already helped many people stop taking medications such as gabapentin or Lyrica, providing them with pain relief and mental clarity.
Phantom pain
Phantom limb syndrome affects 80 to 100% of people after limb amputation. It is characterized by a sensation in a limb that no longer exists. It is chronic, persistent, and usually resistant to treatment. People with phantom pain can experience both non-painful and painful sensations.
Non-painful sensations include the perception of movement, touch, temperature, pressure, vibration, and itching. Pain sensations vary and can range from burning and stabbing pains to tingling “pinpricks.”
Calmare Therapy® can alleviate the unpleasant sensations that a person experiences due to phantom limb syndrome.
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a form of chronic pain that usually affects an arm or a leg. CRPS typically develops after an injury, surgery, stroke, or heart attack. Classic symptoms include pain that is out of proportion to the severity of the original injury, i.e., burning or throbbing pain, usually in the extremities, sensitivity to touch or cold, swelling in the painful area, changes in skin color and texture, changes in hair and nail growth, joint stiffness, swelling and damage, muscle spasms, tremors, weakness and wasting (atrophy), and a reduced ability to move the affected body part. CRPS can occasionally spread from its origin to other parts of the body, such as the other extremities. Calmare Srambler Therapy® is a highly effective treatment option for relieving or eliminating the pain associated with CRPS over a long period of time.
Trigeminal neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain disorder that affects the trigeminal nerve, which transmits sensations from the face to the brain. For people suffering from trigeminal neuralgia, even slight stimulation of the face—such as brushing their teeth or applying makeup—can trigger a stabbing pain.