Posted by manowar on December 11, 2001, at 10:30:26
In reply to Re: Microcurrent stimulation? » manowar, posted by susan C on December 10, 2001, at 17:33:46
> hello, M--
>
> I have generally found people suspicious of mechanical (or electro, or electronic) solutions. I don't know why...there appears to be plenty of research and support for physical exercise as a 'treatment'and ECT...
>
> Perhaps this attitude has something to do with the 'one time' cost rather than the per pill cost, or the general idea of mechanical rather than chemical effect on the brain?
>
> Perhaps too, it is like ECT, tho I have never seen anything comparing the two.
>
> When I got one, the insurance coverage was for it as a chronic pain relief, TENS type unit, though the current is a different form than the usual TENS unit.
>
> Who knows? It certainly was cost effective for me during the time it worked.
>
> susan C
> mouse with out a batteryHi Susan,
I talked with a lady in Seattle yesterday that sells the unit. You're right about the skepticism. Her story is that there is a good reason that you never hear about Microcurrent Stimulation. It's the almighty dollar. She was saying that the psychiatric industry has no use for such a device, even if it was effective, because a patient would only have to pay the up-front expense of the unit. Lets face it: modern psychiatry is a racket. The whole industry feeds itself.First off, I depend on a pdoc that cost me an average of $100 a visit twice a month. Then I rely on the medication he provides which is an average of $150 a month. That by itself is $4200 a year! That doesn't even count my insurance that is about $100 a week.
I mean its like being on welfare. Instead of waiting for our welfare check once a month, I have to wait on my pdoc appointments so that I can hopefully get the right meds so that maybe I can function.
Think about all the people involved in this racket:
Pharmacists
drug reps
doctors
illegal drug trade (if you choose to self medicate)
drug companies (incl. stockholders)I'm not mad at the system; I'm just trying to point out all the reasons why a technology like microcurrent stimulation doesn't get a whole lot of press.
She also told me that the big drug companies have the money to sponsor clinical testing, while their company can't do much because its so expensive.
No doubt –I am skeptical, but at this point I'm ready to do about anything, and this seems like it may be a great option. She is going to send me some literature on the unit, as well as the papers on the clinical data they have.
Susan,
Could you tell me about your experience with the Alpha Stim? You said that it helped you with your depression-how much? Did it stop working? Do you still use it?
Thanks much for your help,
--Tim
poster:manowar
thread:74195
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011202/msgs/86557.html