What does tribal health center mean?

     A tribal health center is an independent office not subject to state or federal regulations or medical boards.  This means that all types of therapy may be available without restrictions. It also means that all treatment costs and membership expenses are tax exempt and tax deductible. Further, it means that all records are completely confidential, not shared with insurance plans or government agencies (without your written request/permission) and not subject to subpoenas or other legal coercion. Please contact the tribe directly for more information.

 

What if I'm not a member of the tribe or even Native American?

     It doesn't matter.  Treatment at a tribal health center is available to anyone who purchases a membership.  Memberships cost $5 for a one-time only Day Pass, or $35 per year per family including all children living at home under age 26 (as long as all register together). All clients are required to purchase a membership as a condition of receiving treatment. Any disputes arising between members of the tribe are subject to tribal law and arbitration and may not be brought before civil courts.

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What is Microcurrent?

       Microcurrent is the same electrical energy as your heartbeat or brainwave. If you have ever seen a heart monitor on TV with the blips on the screen, these reflect the electrical energy that your heart is producing.

 

How does it work?

       The tiny electrical signal generated by each heartbeat communicates via soundwave with every cell in the body 70x faster than any chemical or hormone via the nervous system and collagen network.  Your heart communicates with different cells in your body by different frequencies.  Just like tuning a radio, nerve cells or muscle cells or blood vessels are contacted at different frequencies. Microcurrent speaks the body's own language and uses the body's own internal communication pathways to help the body repair itself.

 

What does Biofeedback mean?

     Adding a biofeedback component to the microcurrent stimulation means the body talks back, and the current signal produced by the machine is altered based on the results to be more effective in responding to the body's needs.

 

How does it erase pain?

     Pain is caused primarily by inflammation. All diseases that end in "itis" refer to an inflammation of the area (pancreatitis, tendonitis, plantar fascitis, diabetes mellitis, etc etc etc). When you receive an injury, the body sends antibodies, chemicals, cells and fluids through the blood vessels to the injured area to make repairs. Think of a sprained ankle swelling up. Unfortunately in many cases these things clog up the area and get in the way of the healing process. This is made worse by the damaged cells in the area and the waste products produced during the repairs. Not until the swelling goes down and the area starts to clear out can healing really begin.

     The process of healing is referred to as the Inflammatory process. There are 5 steps to it, but sometimes it gets stuck in the middle. This becomes chronic inflammation that blocks the body's normal communication pathways preventing normal repair messages from being transmitted to groups of cells.  If you think of your nerves like rivers, then inflammation is like a beaver dam. These blockages are perceived by the brain as pain. 

     Microcurrent stimulation first removes these beaver dams getting the blockages out of the way and allowing the healing process to continue.  Second, microcurrent stimulates certain groups of cells to markedly speed up the healing process. This works for both new and old injuries.

     Even after an injured area is healed, the scar tissue that remains continues to scramble the communication system.  Microcurrent stimulation can neutralize and realign the scar tissue to prevent this problem. The scars will fade and sometimes go away completely, but even if they don't this stops them from causing further problems.

 

How is it different than a TENS unit?

     There are two kinds of electrical stimulators generically referred to as "TENS" units. TENS stands for transcutaneous (across the skin tissue) electrical nerve stimulation. Most TENS units in the USA currently require a physician's prescription to obtain.  They are designed to target the nerves themselves, causing interference and temporarily "numbing" them to block the pain signal. When the nerves wake up, the pain returns so relief is temporary.

     The more common type of electrical stimulator on the market today is actually an EMS unit. EMS stands for electrical muscle stimulation.  They are available over the counter. Instead of targeting the nerves, they use a different program/frequency to target the muscles.  It forces the muscles themselves to move.  This is why it's good for physical therapy and athletes, it exercises muscles more effectively than we could do consciously. Just like going to the gym, it puts stress on the body. Too much force can be painful. And if you do it for too long, the muscles get tired and ache just like overdoing an exercise routine.

     Instead of forcing the body to respond, microcurrent speaks the body's own language which does not cause stress but instead helps the healing process to occur naturally. With a TENS or EMS unit, the body adapts so power levels need to be continually increased to achieve the same effects which can be very painful. Microcurrent is the opposite; as the body's communication pathways are opened the cells becomes more receptive and the power levels are actually turned down.

   

Is it painful?

     No.  There is no pressure applied and no needles. It generally feels like a mild tingling sensation and sometimes a massage.  Power levels are adjusted based on response.  It should NEVER be uncomfortable or hurt in any way.

     Additionally, if an area initially hurts to be touched microcurrent can be generated into an electrical field (PEMF) that doesn't require the device to touch the skin to provide pain relief (although biofeedback isn't possible without the skin contact).

 

Is it better than medications?

     Of course! First, it works much faster than medications since the electrical signals travel more rapidly than chemicals absorbed through the gastrointestinal system, muscles (injections) or even intravenously. Second, all medications also have side effects.  Why take a medication that affects the entire body instead of addressing just the problem area?

     Medications are designed primarily to control or mask symptoms instead of fix the problem. Why just put a bandaid on the pain when the actual source of it can be removed entirely?

 

Is there research to validate its effectiveness?

     Microcurrent has been around since the 1970's in Russia with a device known as the SCENAR. Much research has been done on the properties of microcurrent itself.  However it is only in the last 15 years or so that Avazzia has been producing devices that introduce the biofeedback component to the technology and expand the frequency range capable of being produced. NASA has also been studying it, referring to it as neuromodulation.

     There is also mountains of research on Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMFs) and their effects on the body. PEMFs are low energy similar to microcurrent and are produced by nature or generated by electronic devices but they don't use direct contact with the skin like the SCENAR or Avazzia devices do. Depending on what frequency they are made of or how deep into the body they penetrate they can be either beneficial or harmful (like 5G from cellphones).

     All of these different avenues of research have led to the highly effective technology available today.

 

Is it FDA approved?

     Yes! Avazzia devices are FDA cleared for symptomatic relief and management of chronic intractable pain, post-traumatic and post-surgical pain. They are grouped under the TENS unit umbrella of treatment devices (even though they do entirely different things like an apple and a banana are both fruit) and most models require a prescription for home use. Don't be confused by any required TENS warning labels that don't really apply.

     Microcurrent is the Gold Standard for treating non-healing bone fusions.  It is also very commonly used for cosmetic treatments of acne, wrinkles, and other facial signs of aging. More benefits and uses are constantly being discovered and refined.

 

What kinds of results can I expect?

     Results will vary depending on the location of the pain, the cause of the pain, the length of time it has been present, and other factors such as smoking, hydration and nutrition.  However, all types of pain can be reduced. Sometimes only one treatment is required.  For example "ghost pain" from amputations requires only one brief treatment to essentially re-program the brain that there is nothing there.  Other chronic conditions such as CRPS/RSD, Rheumatoid Arthritis, fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy, etc. require multiple treatments over a period of time. Recurring conditions such as tendonitis, migraines, and carpal tunnel can be relieved quickly but require re-treatment if they return. 

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What can it be used for?

     We are just beginning to discover all the possibilities that microcurrent biofeedback therapy speaking the body's own language opens up to us. Wound care, scoliosis, hormone imbalances, post-traumatic stress disorder, diabetes, COPD, vascular diseases and more have been successfully treated using the Avazzia devices "off-label".  The FDA has not approved these devices specifically for anything but pain management, and does not endorse them for diagnosis or treatment of other disease conditions.  Off-label use of medications and other therapies are very common and are the beginning of progress, research, and additional FDA approvals over time.

     Most diseases that appear as we age are a result of chronic inflammation.  Diabetes, COPD, arthritis, low back pain, osteoporosis, cardiac disease and even many cancers result directly from long-term inflammation.  When the inflammation is removed, the disease stops advancing and begins to retreat as the body does what it is designed to do and heals the damage. Nerves, bones, ligaments, tendons- almost anything will regenerate over time once the barriers are removed. 

     The possibilities are endless and mind-boggling. No longer does aging mean living with pain and disability!

 

Why doesn't my doctor know about it?

     It's too new. Microcurrent biofeedback stimulation was only approved by the AMA for inclusion in the MD Scope of Practice a few years ago. Information takes time to spread. Unless a physician is currently in school or very up to date on the latest research and developments in the pain management specialty, they probably haven't been exposed to it yet. Even those who might have heard of it may not believe it. Without training and understanding, it seems too good to be true. Only seeing repeated results over time will really convince most practitioners to begin incorporating new technology into their way of doing things.

     Ask them about it- show them the research, let them discover the possibilities, and help us spread the good news. We are happy to answer any questions anytime, train anyone who wants to learn, and work with primary care providers to help patients achieve the best possible outcomes and get their lives and health back.

     Microcurrent therapy WILL revolutionize medicine as we know it as the next generation embraces it. Every home should have a basic device available and the knowledge to operate these "hospitals in your hand"

 

How much does it cost?

    Treatment sessions are generally a flat rate of $150 per hour. Initial sessions generally range from 30-90 minutes with follow-up sessions averaging 15-60 minutes.  You will only be charged for actual time spent in treatment.

 

Does insurance cover it?

     Under the FDA's approval of TENS unit therapy, most insurance does cover microcurrent.  However, amounts per treatment or per unit are capped.  New technology is always more expensive, so most of the time insurance plans only cover part of the cost. Some plans still deny coverage as "experimental".

 

Why don't you accept insurance directly?

     Insurance companies require a lot of paperwork both in documentation of treatments given, fitting into their network requirements, and processing claims. It takes time and money to comply with all of these regulations. Not only does it take away from the time we have available to erase pain, it would add significantly to the costs of doing so and prevent more people from receiving relief. And since different insurance plans reimburse different amounts, keeping track of all of them would be a nightmare. Most plans also require a physician's credentials and we are not.

     Individuals are the best resource for knowing what their plan covers and how to receive reimbursement for expenses. We will provide diagnosis and treatment codes for you to use to be able to receive the maximum reimbursement from your plan upon request.

 

What about health care spending accounts?

     Yes! All treatment and supply costs associated with microcurrent are eligible expenses.

 

 

 

How do I make an appointment?

     Call or text us at (916) 213-4677 or use our online booking site.  We can also be contacted via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @Erasing Pain.  Appointments are generally available from 8am-9pm Monday through Saturday. Hours may vary, not all dates or times may be available depending on Practitioner schedules. We are closed Sundays and major holidays. If we are with a client we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

    

What if I don't live in Sacramento?

     We may be able to refer you to a Practitioner in your area. If there is no one near you, please approach your current provider so we can teach them. Or purchase a device and we can work with you remotely. Medical training is not required to learn.

 

What if I'm in too much pain to travel?

     Home visits are possible at an increased cost depending on location and distance. Some therapies may be done remotely.

 

Can it be used at home?

     After an initial consultation, devices may be sold or rented for use at home between treatments. Arrangements will be made on an individual basis depending on the recommended treatment plan and device availability.