Scrambler Therapy

Scrambler therapy is FDA approved for the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain that has not responded adequately to traditional treatment such as medication, physical therapy, injections, or surgery.

Scrambler therapy is typically used to treat chronic neuropathic pain, including:

• Peripheral Neuropathy
• Idiopathic Neuropathy
• Diabetic Neuropathy
• Chemo-induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN)
• Drug-induced Peripheral Neuropathy
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
• Chronic back pain
• Neuropathic pain from chronic diseases
• Chronic Cancer Pain
• Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS)
• Sciatic and Lumbar Pain
• Phantom Limb Syndrome
• Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN)
• Post-surgical Neuropathic Pain
• Brachial Plexus Neuropathy
• Trigeminal Neuralgia
• Other types of chronic neuropathic pain not listed above

The MC-5A Calmare Scrambler Therapy device provides treatment by using rapidly changing electrical impulses to send a “non-pain” message along the same pain fibers that are sending the “pain” message to the brain. This process changes the message to the brain from “pain” to “non-pain.”

Scrambler therapy is administered by a trained professional who has undergone specialized training in this device and technique. Electrodes are applied to the skin around the affected area of pain. These electrodes will then deliver a mild electrical impulse.

Initially, you may experience a very mild sensation that feels like a pinch, bite, or prickle. As the dose is gradually increased, you will feel a sensation like a vibration, buzz, hum, or pulse.

This treatment is not painful. We are sending a non-painful message. Any pain or discomfort should be immediately reported to the nurse so adjustments can be made.

Initial scrambler therapy is given daily for 10 to 12 days, over a two week period, with two days off for the weekend. Depending on the results of your therapy, fewer or additional sessions may be recommended.

Each session is usually 30-45 minutes on the machine once electrodes are placed. You will be scheduled for a one-hour appointment each day. Your first therapy day may run a little over since it will be your first meeting.

Scrambler therapy cannot cure or correct the underlying condition that is causing the pain. It treats chronic neuropathic pain as a separate and distinct problem by changing the message the nerves are sending to the brain from pain to non-pain.

It cannot eradicate your pain forever. Eventually, your pain will return, usually in one to six months. That time frame may vary based on your response to therapy. When pain reoccurs, we can then provide booster therapy. This treatment is usually two or three additional sessions to regain previously experienced comfort levels.

Scrambler therapy is not recommended if you:

• Have implanted electronic devices such as a pacemaker, automatic defibrillator, spinal cord stimulator, bladder stimulator, implanted pain pump, implanted cochlear implant, neurostimulator, etc.
• Have epilepsy or a seizure disorder.
• Have any ferrous metal in your body such as vena cava clips, aneurysm clips, certain metal coils or stents, etc. Typically, if you are not eligible to receive an MRI, scrambler therapy is not an option either. Of note, most metals used in orthopedic surgery and for IV ports are safe.
• Are pregnant.