Alpha-Stim

 

This 4-DVD set encompassing 6 ½ hours of lectures on microcurrent electrical therapy (MET) and cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) was presented at the American Academy of Pain Management’s 2003 annual meeting. With eight distinguished speakers, this is the most comprehensive course on the subject available on film. Now you can watch it at your leisure and share it with others to help educate them about MET and CES technologies. The lectures are moderated by neurobiologist and world renowned expert on electromedicine, Daniel L. Kirsch, PhD, who also presents three lectures. Additionally, neurosurgeon Pierre LeRoy, MD provides a brief talk on the history of this therapy, prosthodontist Michael Singer, DDS speaks about central sensitivity syndrome which helps explain why Alpha-Stim gets such good results on a wide variety of seemingly unrelated disorders with an emphasis on migraine headaches, psychiatrist Rose Marie Pitt, MD speaks about her experience and provides fascinating cases where Alpha-Stim has controlled patients when drugs have failed, anesthesiologist Howard Rosen, MD speaks about how much better than drugs Alpha-Stim therapy is for fibromyalgia and headaches, anesthetist and pain specialist Michael Perry, CRNA, PhD speaks about his personal and professional experiences with Alpha-Stim, veterinarian Ava Frick, DVM gives a fascinating talk about her work with animals and the human-animal bond, and Steve Mann, PhD discusses how he has incorporated Alpha-Stim into his pain management practice and had it accepted by brand name into the scope of practice guidelines for psychologists in his state.

Chapters and video clips

Course abstracts and objectives

Speakers brief biographies

Electromedicine Track

Click on the chapter title to watch a video introduction by the speaker

DVD 1 (1:34:00)

Chapter One:A Brief History of Microcurrent Electrical Therapy
Pierre L. LeRoy, MD, FACS

Chapter Two:Contemporary Theories of Electromedicine: Emerging Paradigms of Biophysics
Daniel L. Kirsch, PhD, DAAPM

Chapter Three: Central Sensitivity Syndrome: Treating Migraines Without Medication
Michael Singer, DDS

DVD 2 (1:19:34)

Chapter Four: Basic Protocols for Microcurrent Electrical Therapy (MET)
Daniel L. Kirsch, PhD, DAAPM

DVD 3 (1:37:57)

Chapter Five: Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation for Pain and Stress Related Disorders
Daniel L. Kirsch, PhD, DAAPM

Chapter Six: Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation in Psychiatry
Rose Marie Pitt, MD, MPH

DVD 4 (1:55:00)

Chapter Seven: Fibromyalgia and Headaches: The Role of Microelectric Current
Howard Rosen, MD

Chapter Eight: Electromedicine: The Other Side of Treating Pain
Michael Perry, CRNA, PhD

Chapter Nine: Animal Pain and the Human-Animal Bond
Ava Frick, DVM

Chapter Ten: Psychological Uses of Electromedicine: Electromedical Protocols and Cases in Psychology
Steve Mann, PhD, DAAPM

Course Abstracts and Objectives

Click on the title to watch a video introduction by the speaker

History of Electromedicine
Pierre LeRoy, MD, FACS

Contemporary Theories of Electromedicine
Daniel L. Kirsch, PhD, DAAPM

Electromedicine has a fascinating and rich history bogged down in politics and economics, as well as scientific constraints. Contemporary theories of biophysics such as those of Robert O. Becker on regeneration and Björn Nordenström on biologically closed electrical circuits, provide a rational basis for electromedical intervention of pain and stress related disorders. Additional findings and theories are addressed such as the work of Candace B. Pert on the ligand-receptor systems and N. Chang on ATP synthesis.

Objectives:
1. To expose the listener to some of the history of how medicine developed in a socioeconomic context;
2. To gain a preliminary understanding of selected theories of electromedicine;
3. To be able to use these theories as a foundation for understanding clinical management of pain patients through electromedical intervention.

Treating Migraines Without Medication
Michael Singer, DDS, FAAMP, FACP

A comprehensive lecture on central sensitivity syndrome with emphasis on migraine headaches. This lecture also includes a discussion of the differences between MET and TENS.

Objectives:
1. To learn how a variety of pain related disorders may be related;
2. To understand the various stages of migraine headaches and the electromedical management at each stage;
3. To be able to differentiate MET from TENS.

Basic Protocols for Microcurrent Electrical Therapy (MET)
Daniel L. Kirsch, PhD, DAAPM

A practical, simple and quick pain management protocol developed by Dr. Kirsch using active probe treatments with microcurrent technology. When combined with a passive 20-minute cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) session, this protocol treats the peripheral and central nervous systems at both the spinal and brain levels. Significant results of at least 25% improvement are achieved in 91% of patients (based on a physician survey of 500 patients and a 2,500 patient survey). Many double-blind studies also confirm the safety and efficacy of the procedures that are taught. The results are long lasting and cumulative. Side effects are rare, mild, and self-limiting.

Objectives:
1. To learn a simple 2-5 minute protocol that has been proven efficacious in peer-reviewed outcomes on 3,000 patients and in several double-blind studies;
2. To understand the efficacy for long-term patient management;
3. To know what precautions, contraindications, and adverse effects may occur with MET intervention.

Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation for Pain and Stress
Daniel L. Kirsch, PhD, DAAPM

This session describes cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) as a primary anxiolytic and antidepressive therapy, as well as a complimentary treatment for pain with an emphasis on treatment of the brain. It will cover the 40 year history of CES in the USA, indications and contraindications, research (overview of over 150 human and experimental animal studies and meta-analyses) and proposed mechanisms of this very safe and highly effective brain therapy using extremely mild electrical current.

Objectives:
1. To gain an understanding of CES theory and 40 years of research;
2. To be able to use CES and prescribe CES immediately following this lecture;
3. To be able to manage patients on CES long term, including adverse effects;
4. To be able to evaluate patient responses to CES treatment.

Electromedical Protocols and Cases in Psychiatry
Rose Marie Pitt, MD, MPH

Electromedical interventions including cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) have now become part of many psychiatrists' protocols in treating patients with depression, anxiety and insomnia, especially when accompanied by pain. Practical protocols for the mental health professional in utilizing CES are presented.

Objectives:
1. To become proficient in clinical applications of CES in the treatment of pain, anxiety depression, insomnia, and other disorders;
2. To learn to recognize specific sensitivities to CES, and respond to sensitized reactions with appropriate protocol adjustments.

Fibromyalgia and Headaches: The Role of Microelectric Current
Howard Rosen, MD

Electromedicine: The Other Side of Treating Pain
Michael Perry, CRNA, PhD, DAAPM

Animal Pain and the Human-Bond
Ava Frick, DVM

This expert panel (composed of an anesthesiologist, nurse practitioner and veterinarian) discusses how they use microcurrent electrical therapy (MET) and cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) for a variety of pain patient populations. This course includes case reports and typical responses to these therapies. Dr. Frick presents an introduction to the benefits animals can have on human lives and what happens to the human-animal bond when anxiety and pain exist in this relationship. Clinical signs and change in behavior associated with pain and anxiety in animals is addressed along with specific cases where MET and CES were used.

Objectives:
1. To learn a variety of practical approaches to MET and CES from a diverse group of
2. practitioners;
3. To hear real clinical cases, both typical and challenging;
4. To expand participants understanding of the human-animal bond and how it enriches the lives of people;
5. To show specific application and response of MET on animals.

Psychological Uses of Electromedicine
Steve Mann, PhD, DAAPM, DABPS

This seminar addresses the successful scope of practice determination by state licensing boards, approving the use of CES for licensed psychologists under the guidelines of adding new services and techniques. Clinical cases are provided to illustrate the ways in which behavioral practitioners can utilize CES to enhance pain control and work synergistically with other treatment providers.

Objectives:
1. To learn to incorporate CES into more traditional behavioral medicine techniques such as progressive relaxation training, hypnosis, and psychotherapy;
2. To become proficient in communicating with medical providers regarding the use of CES and become aware of coordination of care issues;
To learn current scope of practice issues regarding the use of CES by non-physician licensed health care providers.

Speakers Brief Biographies

Click on speaker’s name or picture to watch a video introduction

Pierre L. LeRoy, MD, FACS

Neurosurgeon and co-founder of the American Academy of Pain Management and founding member of the American Pain Society. Co-author Pain Management, and Pain. Certified clinical engineer with 18 patents in bioengineering devices. Member of the Cost Containment and Historical Committees for the American Asso-ciation of Neurological Surgeons. 2003 recipient of the prestigious John Liebeskind Pain Management Research Award.

Daniel L. Kirsch, PhD, DAAPM, FAIS

Neurobiologist, Diplomate of the American Academy of Pain Management, Fellow of the American Institute of Stress and Honorary Member of Inter-Pain (Germany). Researcher, international lecturer, and author of books and articles on electromedicine since 1972. Chairman of Electromedical Products International, Inc. of Mineral Wells, Texas, and Hong Kong, PRC. Former Clinical Director of The Center for Pain and Stress Related Disorders at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York City, and of The Sports Medicine Group, Santa Monica, California. Author of The Science Behind Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation, 2nd ed. 2002.

Howard Rosen, MD

Anesthesiologist specializing in chronic pain management and fibromyalgia. Board certified in pain management by the American Board of Anesthesiology. Director of Pain Management at Central Coast Pain Institute in Monterey and Gilroy, California.

Michael K. Perry, CRNA, PhD, DAAPM

Private Practice in pain clinics in Omaha and Fremont, Nebraska. Board Member AAPM, National Pain Data Bank, Consultant, Surveyor AAPM, Past Board Member of Nebraska Association of Nurse Anesthetists and Past Program Chairman for the Nebraska Association of Nurse Anesthetists.

Michael T. Singer, DDS, FAAMP, FACP

Prosthodontist at the Bethesda Temporomandibular Joint and Facial Pain Treatment Center in Maryland. Retired Colonel,
US Army. Former Director, Craniofacial Pain Clinic and Chief, Maxillofacial Prosthodontics at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC. Board certified by the American Academy of Orofacial Pain and the American Board of Prosthodontics.

Ava Frick, DVM

Executive Director of Animal Fitness Center, P.C., a rehabilitation center focusing on pain management, chiropractic, and clinical nutrition for all stages of development including post-surgical, performance, and geriatric animals. Certified in animal chiropractic by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association and past board member of the AVCA. Dr. Frick writes a bi-monthly article for The Healthy Planet, a monthly environmental, health and wellness publication.

Rose Marie Pitt, MD, MPH

Psychiatrist in private practice in South Pasadena and Santa Ana, California doing evaluations and treatment of adults and children. Board certified by the American Board of Forensic Examiners. Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Southern California School of Medicine. Program Director of the Adolescence Unit for Gateways Hospital. Court appointed forensic expert for evaluating a variety of cases including mental competency, insanity, and sexually violent predators.

Steve Mann, PhD, DAAPM, DABPS

Psychologist with additional board certification in rehabilitation psychology with forensic emphasis. Director and CEO of the Occupational Disability Management Centers in Vermont and New Hampshire. Author of Being Ill: Personal and Social Meanings. Dr. Mann has lectured extensively in the United States and in Europe in the area of cognitive/somatic pain management.