A cranial electrotherapy stimulator (CES) is a device that delivers a small electrical current to the brain via electrodes placed on the earlobes or scalp. The current is thought to modulate brain activity and alleviate symptoms of certain mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
CES devices have been in use for several decades, and there is some evidence to suggest that they may be effective in treating certain conditions. However, the mechanism of action by which CES exerts its therapeutic effects is not fully understood. Some theories suggest that the electrical current may modulate the activity of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, which are involved in mood regulation.
There are several different types of CES devices available, including traditional CES devices that deliver a constant current, and more recent “ultra” CES devices that deliver a pulsed current. The pulsed current is thought to be more effective than the constant current in modulating brain activity, and may have fewer side effects.
CES devices are considered to be relatively safe, with few reported side effects. The most common side effects include mild discomfort or tingling at the site of the electrodes, as well as drowsiness or fatigue. In rare cases, some people may experience a seizure or other serious adverse event, but these are typically associated with underlying medical conditions or other risk factors.
Despite the potential benefits of CES, it is important to note that it is not a first-line treatment for mental health conditions, and should only be used in conjunction with other treatments, such as psychotherapy or medication. Additionally, the effectiveness of CES may vary from person to person, and it may not be appropriate for everyone. It is important to note that the FDA (U.S Food and Drug Administration) classifies CES devices as Class III medical devices, which means that they have moderate-to-high risk, and require premarket approval (PMA) or a humanitarian device exemption (HDE). The FDA has not approved any CES devices for treating psychiatric conditions.
Overall, CES may have some potential as a treatment for certain mental health conditions, but more research is needed to fully understand its mechanism of action and to identify the specific conditions for which it may be most appropriate. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before using a CES device, and to use it only under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.
Electrotherapy is a therapy that uses small electrical impulses in order to repair tissue, stimulate muscles, improve muscle strength, and increase muscle sensitivity. In fact, there are many different forms of electrotherapy from ultrasound and inferential therapy to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and laser therapy. Depending on your injury or condition, electrotherapy offers a variety of benefits including improving circulatory system functioning and increased muscle tone. Electrotherapy has been shown to effectively reduce pain while also increasing strength, range of motion, speed, and rate of absorption.
Commonly used to treat injuries associated with swelling such as sprained ankles, tennis elbow, and other sports injuries, electrotherapy is practiced worldwide and is often covered by standard medical insurance. The history of electrotherapy dates back to 1855, and recent applications of the treatment focus on reducing pain and swelling and to heal the body. As pharmaceutical therapies carry inherent risks such as side effects and addiction, electrotherapy has becoming an increasingly popular treatment, but how does it work?
During electrotherapy treatments, either alternating or direct current is applied to muscles of body tissue to stimulate healing in the damaged areas. Currently, the most common forms of electrotherapy use alternating current in transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. Small electrodes are attached to the skin and the therapist administers adjustable levels of electricity to the damaged site. As electrotherapy reduces swelling and allows increased blood flow to the affected area so that healing is enhanced. More oxygen and nutrients reach the damaged site so that repair to tissue begins sooner and progresses faster.
With respect to pain management, electrotherapy works in two ways. First, electrotherapy interrupts pain signals from the brain through the nerve pathways so you are prevented from feeling pain. In addition, electrotherapy activates the production of endorphins which are body chemicals that are released to reduce pain when you are injured.
There are many other proposed uses for electrotherapy, each with varying degrees of efficacy according to recent research. For example, electrotherapy has been used for decades in the treatment of some psychological conditions such as depression; it has also been used in the treatment of neurological problems. In addition, electrotherapy is often used in conjunction with other treatments such as acupuncture or ultrasound. While electrotherapy is considered a safe treatment for a wide variety of ailments, patients with a pacemaker and pregnant women cannot be treated safely with electrotherapy. If you are interested in this form of treatment, always speak to your family physician first.
Cefaly is the first cranial analgesic electrotherapy device, complete with an advanced Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation treatment and an ISO medical certificate. Cefaly can also help relax people suffering from the painful discomfort of trigeminal neuralgia and frontal sinusitis.
Headaches are not specific to a particular age group and Cefaly is known to act on the physiological mechanisms that are not age reliant. Therefore, Cefaly aids in alleviating symptoms and preventing them regardless of age. Moreover, Cefaly is suitable for children 8 years and above, provided it is used under adult supervision.
Cefaly employs sophisticated state of the art technology using Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation therapy in a patented device that is lightweight, easy to use and effective.
This device uses gentle electric impulses that act on the nerve cells that are responsible for the pain and various other sensations, most associated with migraine and headache. However, Cefaly is most beneficial when pain is located in the front half or the skull. Through the electrode, Cefaly transmits detailed electrical impulses that manipulate the trigeminal nerves. This prevents the brain from registering pain signals, and stimulates endorphins.
Worn like a pair of spectacles, Cefaly is designed to prevent and treat chronic and recurrent headaches and substantially reduce and prevent stress and anxiety. During the 20 minute Cefaly treatment session, a pleasant tingling sensation is felt. The intensity of this sensation can be adjusted to personal preferences. The treatment can be repeated as required. However, Cefaly does not benefit the pain located at the back of the skull or in the lower part of the face below the eyes.
How Is Lifestyle Affected?
Although nasty, painful and debilitating, most headaches are not life-threatening. However, they can diminish a person’s quality of life as severely as serious medical conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. Medical studies reveal that people who suffer from regular headaches face severe limitations in their ability to function. Many people are even forced to stop work and non-work activities as well as experience significantly reduced productivity in all activity domains. Chronic headaches have a marked negative influence on patients’ lives, compromising their sense of well-being and their day-to-day functioning. In fact, the highest decrease was seen in their physical role, vitality and social functioning.
These studies are alarming because the headaches are most prevalent among people between the ages of 25 and 55, which is the time of life when most people are at their economic peak and in the midst of raising their families. Furthermore, medical research has revealed that more than 70% of sufferers experience impairment in interpersonal relationships, including work relationships, has increased incidence of depression and loss of short-term memory.
Headache Prevention
Headaches affect nearly 90% of men and 95% of women. Persistent headaches can even alter a person’s personality. A bad headache lowers productivity, can you irritable, and drains you both mentally and physically. However, there are several ways to prevent headache. Some of them are:
• A good night’s sleep; make sure that your environment is peaceful.
• Stay away from incense the smoke contains a lot of alkaloids which, when inhaled can cause a rapid changes in your blood flow, causing a headache.
• Inhale steam or menthol vapors. Stand in a hot shower or dissolve menthol in hot water and inhale. This clears out sinuses and helps prevent a sinus headache.
• Dink plenty of water; it is the elixir of life. It helps keep the body running properly. Disrupted water balance can lead to terrible headaches.
• Use cucumber slices to cool the eye muscles.
• Do not sleep with hair gel on; hair gel is full of chemicals and mild perfume that can cause headaches after inhaling them all night. These chemicals will also clog the pores in the scalp, preventing the skin from being able to breathe.
• Avoid fermented or pickled foods as well as foods that contain monosodium glutamate and caffeine. These foods affect the blood flow in the body causing headaches.
• Stretch your body frequently; this helps keep the muscles loose.
• Eat organic foods as organic foods contain no foreign chemicals, which restrict blood flow.
• Practice Yoga; the benefits of yoga are plentiful. It keeps the body, mind and spirit relaxed, refreshed and stress free.
With a little extra effort each day one can drastically decrease the recurrence of headaches, allowing a person to lead a happy life.