Alpha-Stim to the rescue!
Anxiety, depression, and insomnia. For years, I have been on the hunt for an option to help these very common health challenges. In the past year and a half, these issues have skyrocketed. Anxiety, depression and insomnia are so common, and while natural remedies, craniosacral therapy, and medications are the answers for some, I find that quite often these treatments only help somewhat, or some of the time.
Recently I came across some research on a device called Alpha-Stim: a device that has been used for decades for veterans suffering from anxiety, depression, insomnia and PTSD. The research is quite solid – simple treatments can make big improvements in all of these issues, and more treatments lead to bigger long-term gains in mental health. Moreover, the more treatments you receive, the less you need them, because your brain starts to maintain the “new normal.”
The problem with cognitive pathways is that the brain really likes familiar paths. So, the longer you have suffered from anxiety, depression, or insomnia, the more your brain reinforces that pathway. It stinks! It’s like driving in the snow or ice after a storm – your car wants to stay in the ruts carved out by cars that have driven that path before you. It takes so much effort to get your car out of those ruts. The brain does the same thing: it takes the path that is familiar, what it has traveled before, and it can be really hard to get it to shift into a new path. The Alpha-Stim helps your brain to do this.
So, as I tend to do, I ordered an Alpha-Stim unit and started trying it on myself. I chose the Alpha-Stim M, since it has settings and treatment options for pain, in addition to the anxiety/insomnia/depression settings, versus the AID which only treats the latter. After my first self-treatment, I had a wonderful feeling of joy and relaxation, slept incredibly well, and my focus was better the next day. The feeling slowly wore off over the next 48 hours, so I treated again, and again I received benefits. I’ve been using it every 1-2 days for the past 2 weeks and am very happy with my results. I feel calmer, more centered and focused, and my sleep quality has improved. I have not experienced any negative effects.
This past week I have just begun using the Alpha-Stim in my clinic with patients, and the feedback thus far has been very positive – So much so that I have a few patients already asking how they can get a device for home use! Fortunately, the Alpha-Stim sales team makes this attainable, and it puts the device in the hands of the person who needs it, to use daily at home when desired. However, if you would rather receive treatment in office, I am always happy to see patients for this new therapy.
If you live in the Portland, OR area and want to come in to try Alpha-Stim or receive naturopathic care, craniosacral therapy, or Mayan Abdominal Therapy, I’d love to work with you!
Book a session with Dr. Jennifer Karon today. Call or text 503-244-0500 to schedule.