What is scrambler therapy?
Scrambler Therapy was invented by Prof. Giuseppe Marineo who named the therapy after the military device that scrambled or changed signals and information so that they were no longer recognisable. In layman's terms, Scrambler Therapy is a non-invasive relief technique for chronic pain. By scrambling the pain signals, it has been shown to provide relief for many chronic pain conditions.
It is believed to modify the signals or information of pain into ‘non-pain’ signals. It is a non-invasive pain-modifying technique that utilises transcutaneous electrical stimulation of pain fibres with the intent of re-organising maladaptive signalling pathways.
Scrambler Therapy can provide relief of chronic intractable pain that does not respond to standard therapies, including neuropathic pain, chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain, hyperalgesic pain, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and many other chronic pain conditions. Recent studies (Ricci et al, 20191; Marineo, 20192; Loprinzi et al, 20193) have demonstrated that Scrambler Therapy can provide benefits for people with refractory pain syndromes.
(1Ricci, M, Fabbri, L, Pirotti, S, Ruffilli, N, Foca, F, Maltoni, M,(2019). Scrambler Therapy. What’s new after 15 years? The results from 219 patients treated for chronic pain. Medicine January 2019, Volume 98, Issue 2.)
(2 Marineo, G, 2019. Inside the Scrambler Therapy, a Noninvasive Treatment of Chronic Neuropathic and Cancer Pain: From the Gate Control Theory to the Active Principle of Information. Integrative Cancer Therapies Vol 18, 1-17.)
(3 Loprinzi C, Le-Rademacher, JG, Majithia, N, McMurray RP, O’Neill CR, Bendel, MA, Beutler, A, Lachance, DH, Cheville A, Strick, DM, Black, DF, Tilburt, JC, Smith, TJ, 2019. Scrambler Therapy for Chemotherapy Neuropathy: A Randomized Phase II Pilot Trial. Support Cancer Care, Vol 17.)
Scrambler Therapy sessions- what should I expect?
Dr Peter Georgius is a Pain Physician and has specialised training in Scrambler Therapy. He will provide clinical oversight and supervision for your therapy, which will be delivered by a Registered Nurse who has received training in Scrambler Therapy from Dr Georgius.
Scrambler Therapy does not involve a hospital stay or anaesthetic. The first block of Scrambler treatment spans 2 weeks and consists of a total of 10 consecutive treatment sessions with a weekend break between weeks 1 and 2. Each Scrambler Therapy session lasts for 40 minutes plus the time necessary to position and regulate the electrode stimulation. At the start of each treatment session, a person’s site of pain is identified and the surface electrodes are placed on the skin, on either side of the painful area(s). Once the electrodes have been placed in the correct position, the stimulation intensity is then adjusted according to each person’s comfort level. You will then develop a sensation of tingling, which is not unpleasant and has been described as a“pleasant humming” or similar to champagne bubbles on your skin. After a treatment session is completed, most people feel soothed and report that the pain has markedly reduced or disappeared. In the subsequent treatments your pain may re-emerge with less intensity and the duration of pain relief will increase. Once the 10-session course of treatment has been completed, pain relief can last between 3-12 months before top-up or booster sessions are required.
How do I access Scrambler Therapy?
All enquiries are welcome. To make an enquiry please call 07 5447 2144 or send an email to therapy@painrehab.com.au.