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AA battery-powered devices can relieve pain, depression
Sunday December 04, 2011 10:38:01 PM,
IANS
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London: Scientists have
been exploring the healing powers of electricity, particularly microcurrent therapy (MCT), involving a plethora of domestic
gadgets that seemingly relieve pain, gout or depression.
Named Alpha-Stim and Microdoctor, these devices powered by a few
AA batteries deliver a tiny current to the skin which cannot be
felt through clips or sticky pads.
They are being touted as treatments for everything from joint pain
to back pain to headaches, gout, multiple sclerosis and even
depression.
Our bodies are composed of billions of atoms which produce
electrical signals that run almost instantaneously through the
body as nerve signals, controlling all bodily functions both
conscious and unconscious.
MCT device companies claim injury and illness upset these signals
and the treatment resets our natural electrical currents, aiding
healing and reducing pain, the Daily Mail reported.
MCT involves electrical currents measuring less than one
milliampere while a lightbulb may use about 500 milliamperes.
"New applications are mostly used for pain relief and soft tissue
injury," said Tim Watson, professor of physiotherapy at the
University of Hertfordshire.
His team concluded that microcurrent is most effective when used
for significantly longer than the daily 20 minutes recommended by
most manufacturers.
Joanne Thompson, 32, a photographer who lives in Cambridgeshire
with her husband Steve, 41 and their daughters, Ella, eight and
four-year-old Amy, reported remarkable results.
She developed depression four years ago after her youngest
daughter was born with a rare bowel condition.
"For the next two years I suffered panic attacks and had severe
side effects from the medication - tummy upsets, nausea and weight
gain. A friend of mine had been using a machine called Alpha-Stim.
She suggested I try it alongside the pills. I was sceptical at
first, but did some research and was impressed by the clinical
studies and testimonials," she said.
"You attach the clips to your ears and turn it on. I used it daily
for two to three hours and would fall asleep with it. Within two
months I felt a definite lift in my mood. After three months I
felt I was able to cope with everyday life. It was a gradual
process," said Joanne.
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