Can SCENAR Be Used for Headaches & Migraines?

Can SCENAR be used for headaches and migraines?  The immediate answer is "yes!"  It is a very effective pain relief technology and it is FDA cleared for pain treatment.   Why would you see if it reduces or eliminates your headaches and migraines?  Keep reading!

I wouldn't trade places with anyone who has chronic headaches or migraines and I FEEL for you and just want to take away the pain.  After recently seeing another young girl truly suffering with migraines I feel compelled to write this.  This is often how a blog post comes to be.  Seeing someone in pain have their life changed with SCENAR vs drugs.

It is appalling that over 30% of people have missed one or more days of work or school in the past 3 months due to migraines and that 24% have had to go to the ER with a severe migraine.*

We know they are difficult to medically manage and that is what we see as a big part of the problem - the medical management, namely drugs.  

Migraine Triggers

From most of the migraine and headache sufferers we meet it is clear that identifying the underlying cause and/or trigger and then ameliorating it doesn't happen consistently.  There seems to be a easy reach for a prescription pad in our society. 

Some of the top triggers are:

• Stress
• Overuse of pain meds (analgesics)
• Disturbances in sleep
• Food additives
• Chocolate
• Alcohol
• Perfume
• Changes in weather
• Bright lights
• Dehydration
• Too much caffeine

Isn't it interesting that "over use" of pain meds can actually lead to chronic migraines?   It isn't really clear why over use leads to more pain or makes symptoms worse but it is clear that analgesic rebound headaches need to be addressed.

Our first recommendation

Each person really needs to have their life fully reviewed and triggers like the ones above and others removed.  This takes far more time than the average doctor is allotted for seeing patients.  And it is so important!

Now, Let's Look at Drug Side Effects

In addition to the fact that overuse of pain meds can lead to more pain, one must also be aware of drug side effects.  The most common drugs prescribed for headaches and migraines are the NSAIDS and triptans.   Current over-the-counter NSAIDS include:

• Aspirin compounds (such as Anacin®, Ascriptin®, Bayer®, Bufferin® and Excedrin®)
• Ketoprofen (such as Orudis KT®)
• Ibuprofen (such as Motrin®, Advil®, Nuprin® and Medipren®)
• Naproxen sodium (such as Aleve®) 

PLEASE NOTE:  Over-the-counter NSAIDs are effective pain-relievers, but they are MEANT for short-term use. When taking them for long periods of time, you should be carefully monitored by your doctor so he or she can detect the coming on of harmful side effects and modify your treatment plan as necessary.

The Cleveland Clinic also has an additional TWENTY prescription level NSAIDS on their list here.  

So what are they side effects? The most frequently reported side effects GI symptoms, like:

• Gas and bloating
• Heartburn and/or stomach pain
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Diarrhea and/or constipation

These side effects can usually be be relieved by taking ANOTHER DRUG!   Don't you hate when they tell you that?  Take this....and if this happens take this.....and if this happens....take THIS!

OK, some other side effects of NSAIDs include:

• Dizziness
• Feeling lightheaded
• Problems with balance
• Difficulty concentrating
• Mild headaches

OK, then there are the triptans.  

Triptans are serotonin receptor agonists.  Brand names like Axert, Frova, Maxalt, Imitrex,  Alsuma, and Zomig.  It isn't clear how they stop a migraine.  They do constrict blood vessels in the brain and relieve swelling.  They can be useful and effective.  And, do you really want to manage your life around drugs?

Given we regularly use the SCENAR, which doesn't have a side effect profile like drugs, this list of side effects and contraindications for the triptans concerns me.

So, what are we saying?

• Figure out and know your triggers, then eliminate them.  
• We have a number of times needed to recommend some neuro-psychology techniques and processes in order to help manage, reduce and eliminate certain triggers.  Be open.
• A recent study by the New York Headache Center suggests that a magnesium deficiency may contribute to or cause migraines.  In trials, sufferers responded to a daily dose of 400 t o 600 milligrams of magnesium.  Consider this - try it.
• Don't take drugs long term given their side effect profile and that they aren't taking care of the underlying cause long-term.
• Learn about SCENAR medical technology.  Have a diagnostic assessment.  Under the guidance of an experienced SCENAR therapist have a series of SCENAR sessions and evaluate the results.  SCENAR is FDA cleared for pain treatment.  Don't you owe it to yourself?  
• Given SCENAR is an active biofeedback device and how it physiologically affects the body it is aligned with biofeedback which the American Medical Association has "approved" for headaches as biofeedback helps control the functions of the central and autonomic nervous system. 

Here's to seeking and achieving pain relief!
Kay
Pain Treatment Consultant

*Chris Iliades, MD Brigham Young University, The Migraine Study II

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When Your Pet is Hurt SCENAR Can Help

It is not always so easy to tell when your furry kids are in pain, is it?  Of course, like we humans, they may really let out a yelp or be more vocal with whining, growling or other sounds. And, if they are really more vocal than normal you know something is quite wrong.  There are also other obvious as well as more subtle signs that tell you something may be wrong even if they aren't "telling you so."

Today's post (October 16, 2015) is about our two dogs, Darcy and Hunter, and two different signs of pain - a fresh injury and a chronic issue.  It is also about what we are doing to make them both better with our RITM SCENAR.  At the bottom you will find an update from October 21, 2015!

Let's start with Darcy.  We aren't absolutely sure what happened because we didn't witness it and yet we think we have a good idea. It all started when we heard her let out a blood curdling scream/whine in the bedroom upstairs and do it again as she came down the stairs. We suspected she misjudged her jump off the bed and landed wrong.  It was clear that walking was VERY painful as the sounds she was making were painful to hear.  She would especially yelp/cry loudly every time she had to stand up...the act of pushing up was painful.  Once she was up she could walk though she wanted to avoid stairs.

Thankfully we have a Pro Plus SCENAR device. 

We immediately used it to identify the areas of tissue damage (the device has an assessment mode to get initial response numbers). Using a "comb" probe with teeth, which gets through the hair to the hide, we could measure and find the area of greatest injury and irritation.  The SCENAR told us specifically where the problems were!

We then treated.  We have done this three times per day for the past two and a half days and will continue till she is healed.  The measurement numbers were highest right in the hind leg joints and the numbers are going down!  As well, she now stands up without crying or sign of pain.  She is still hesitant with a deeper stair but small/short ones are ok.  She is progressing!

Now if this was not improving we have an ace up our sleeve!  We have trained a wonderful veterinary physician in the use of SCENAR and she has fully adopted it into her vet hospital.  If needed we would take Darcy right down to see Dr. Jacque McAndrew at South San Diego Vet Hospital.

Thank you for SCENAR in our house!

OK, so Darcy's injury is fresh.  Hunter, on the other hand, has been giving us signs of a more chronic pain issue in his hips.

What are the signs to notice that tell you your furry kid may be in pain or uncomfortable?

1. Constant or excessive grooming in a particular area.  For Hunter it has become the right back hip area.
2. Changes in their sleep, difficulty resting, lack of appetite or not eating, and less drinking.  No change here for Hunter - he is the first to always clean his plate and ask for more!
3. Withdrawing or seeking affection.  Here is where there has been a big change for Hunter.  We now find him out by the side of the house in the alley for hours on end. And, he is backing up for "butt rubs" more often - more aggressively.
4. Aggressive behavior
5. Other general behavior changes - ask yourself "what's changed?"

Once we became really aware of these changes happening we took to finding the issues and treating Hunter with the Pro Plus RITM SCENAR.  It is such a great "go to tool" to have in your home.

Peter always says "biology is biology" and whether the pain is in a human or animal - it can be identified and resolved.  Ask us about owning a SCENAR for your pets today!  Call 619-501-3752.

UPDATE on October 21, 2015.

Today we are delighted to report that with twice daily home SCENAR treatments Darcy has progressed significantly.  The numbers are lowering and more importantly - when we went looking for her this morning DOWNSTAIRS (because she hasn't climbed the stairs in a week) she popped her head around the corner at the TOP of the stairs and came running down!  All without a peep!  Yes, she climbed this full set of stairs during the night and came back down this morning.  We are happy parents!

Ask us about SCENAR for your household.  Get a free demonstration on you or your pet by calling 619-501-3752 and referencing "Darcy"....we will come to you if you are in San Diego County.

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