ETPS Therapy for Chronic Pain
Chronic pain affects an estimated 80 million Americans. It also causes many unpleasant side effects, including marital and family problems, sleeping difficulties, depression, fatigue and weight gain. As a result, allopathic and alternative treatments for pain-including acupuncture, chiropractic, massage and pain clinics-have spawned the evolution of a huge industry. In the United States alone, conventional medical treatments for pain constitute a multibillion-dollar industry. Despite the size of this industry, and the expertise involved, patient results are often unsatisfactory.
One solution is electrotherapeutic point stimulation therapy (more easily called ETPS). The treatment uses a device to help combine the principles of acupuncture, massage, electrotherapy and physical therapy with what an increasing number of pain therapists consider remarkable success.
How does it work?
ETPS Therapy is based on the belief that pain usually has several different sources and, therefore, requires a multi-system approach to produce long-term effects on patients. In my experience, a seven-step approach can usually treat almost any pain condition, provided the points are treated in order:
First, deregulating or calming the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is an important step for relieving pain with chronic patients. Specific parasympathetic acupuncture points, which have an effect on the body's nervous system, are treated with ETPS to reduce sensitivity and to calm the patient's ANS.
Second, we manually stretch the piriformis muscle to balance the sacrum and allow the spine to symmetrically restack, thereby relieving pressure on the nerve roots, further calming the ANS and structurally realigning the entire skeletal system.
Third, injuries are traced back to the nerve root(s) where paraspinal tissue changes are identified through palpation that relates to radiculopathy (nerve root entrapment). ETPS stimulation is applied to muscles on each side of the entrapped nerve to relax muscle contractions responsible for radiculopathy, and relieve the patient's pain.
Fourth, ETPS is applied to muscles above and below distal joint injuries, relaxing local muscles and significantly increasing range of motion and overall joint strength.
Fifth, ETPS stimulation is applied to scars (called neural therapy) intersecting dermatomes and meridians, in order to re-polarize and soften them. Emotions and energy blockages are often "locked" into scars and this technique can often provide enormous relief to patients.
Sixth, The next step is treating the emotional (limbic) system, often ignored by many pain therapists. Applying ETPS stimulation to key acupuncture points relating to fear, anxiety, anger, worry, grief can often "unlock" old gates and provide enormous relief to a patient suffering from chronic pain.
Seventh, Finally, balancing the meridian systems by applying ETPS to key distal acupuncture points allows energy to flow freely once the above physical and emotional blockages are cleared up.
With each step, ETPS stimulation is applied to acupuncture and trigger points, which isolate specific tissues/organs involved with that step. Using a process of elimination, a therapist can isolate "root" causes of pain, providing a more efficient therapy with much stronger outcomes.
What does the ETPS device do?
The ETPS is an electrode wand similar in appearance to a digital thermometer, produces a stimulation that relaxes muscles and calms the nervous system. In addition, it relaxes contracted muscles to relieve pressed nerves, and also releases endorphins, the body's natural pain killers
This multi-pronged effect on the body's nervous and muscle system is the reason why ETPS works so effectively. "Much of chronic pain is musculoskeletal in nature, and much of that is muscular," says Jay Shah, M.D., a physiatrist in the Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health. "The theory is that by stimulating acupuncture [and trigger] points, you can significantly relax muscles and improve pain relief."
What's the medical/scientific view on this?
Physicians have conducted clinical studies to test both magnetic and electrotherapeutic practices, with some encouraging results. For example, an independent study performed at Florida Hospital strongly supports the efficacy of ETPS Therapy. Patients were placed into two groups, one group receiving Physical Therapy, and the other group receiving Physical Therapy along with ETPS. Results showed that the ETPS group had significantly greater reduction in pain (79%) as compared to the Physical Therapy group (48%). The study concluded, "ETPS is an effective modality when combined with traditional physical therapy."
For patients who have tried other approaches to no avail, success with ETPS therapy sometimes seems miraculous. For example, a woman who was in a series of car accidents 17 years ago that left her with headaches, a frozen shoulder and chronic pain, felt she "walked like an 85-year-old woman." After a therapist introduced her to ETPS, the woman changed dramatically: "Only half an hour after the ETPS therapist did my neck, I was able to get up and bend down. Before treatment, I couldn't take my foot and put it on top of my other foot; after treatment, I could put that same foot on my knee!" Although the woman claimed not to know why ETPS worked, she has continued with it: "Once something works, you can't question it."
(Authored by Bruce Hocking, inventor of the ETPS device)
BECOME A NON SMOKER - WITH ETPS AURICULAR THERAPY
QUIT SMOKING TODAY!
Congratulations! If you're reading this, you are on your way to kicking the habit and becoming smoke-free and healthier. Most experts agree that quitting smoking is the single most important thing you can do for your health. There is plenty of incentive to quit, but it isn't necessarily easy. The good news is that ETPS Therapy has helped millions of people to overcome their addictions and stay smoke-free.
HOW CAN ETPS HELP ME BECOME A NON SMOKER?
This is a great questions. After all, let's consider some facts about nicotine addiction:
- Studies have shown that it is as difficult to quit smoking as it is to quit taking heroin
- 90% of those who quit will relapse
- Withdrawal from nicotine can cause dizziness, nausea, constipation, gas, bloating, gas, increased appetite, anxiety, depression, trouble sleeping through the night, problems concentrating, coughing and a sensation of tightness in the chest, among other things.
- Cigarette manufacturers have designed their products with additional chemicals that act like drugs in your brain to trick you into believing you need to smoke.
- The cards are definitely stacked against a smoker who wants to quit, so it is a fair question to ask how any one treatment can help a smoker through this difficult process.
- First of all, Auricular Therapy isn't like so many of the other treatments that are available in that it doesn't replace one form of nicotine with another.
- Patches, gum, electronic cigarettes all deliver nicotine to the body in a slightly different form, whereas to kick the smoking habit, the ex-smoker must go through the withdrawal symptoms. It is important to realize that the withdrawal symptoms are caused by the nicotine. Therefore, handing an ex-smoker nicotine gum isn't really addressing anything, is it?
- Auricular Therapy is safe and effective. There are no side effects. This is important, as some drugs that were marketed as drugs to help smokers quit that were later shown to be quite dangerous.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT?
- Auricular ETPS is an effective tool to help minimize cravings and strengthening will power.
- ETPS Auricular Therapy is similar to acupuncture, but WITHOUT needles, and is primarily done in the outer portion of the ear.
- Auricular ETPS Therapy intercepts messages sent by the brain to the body that demand more nicotine, thereby disrupting the addictive process. It can eliminate most cravings, but not the habit.
- Generally the treatment reduces cravings from 10 plus to only 2-3 a day. It is your responsibility to make it through those few cravings.
- ETPS Auricular Therapy can help with other addictions as well, food, chemicals, etc. The "Addiction Point" being stimulated in the ear is to help normalize and reset your brain chemistry. Remember, You are in control and can do whatever you set your mind to doing.
THE PLAN - TREATMENT PLAN COST
Auricular ETPS Therapy can work if you are ready to quit and willing to commit to the process.
- ETPS Therapy works best if you have begun to detox, meaning you have refrained from smoking for at least a few hours before the treatment, and preferably longer.
- Cutting back to one cigarette a day for two weeks before her appointment helped one woman become a superstar nonsmoker within 1 week.
- "I started smoking in the Marines. I was 18 and in Vietnam and smoked for 30 years. After having one ETPS Therapy session, I quit smoking. I haven't had a cigarette for 15 years, but I still have the desire and cravings. They don't go away, but I never smoked again."
- Treatment Plan is 8 ETPS sessions over 1-3 weeks, or, as needed
- Treatment can be condensed to several days (Vacation to "Quit Smoking!")
- ETPS Therapy is relatively painless. The patient is fully clothed and there is no massage or oils used.
- During the first session, your therapist will conduct an intake evaluation before your treatment
$495 - Non Smoking Program consists of a total of 8 ETPS Therapy sessions over 3 days, to 3 weeks, or, as needed (Book this if you want to have maximum flexibility to manage cravings)
$75 Additional Sessions - After Treatment Program, if you feel you need a "booster" from time to time for Relapse Prevention.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS
- Have a Support Person - The decision to stop smoking can elicit uncomfortable emotions. Ask someone who is available to you in the next few weeks to act as a sounding board and provide encouragement when needed.
- Affirmation - An affirmation is a positive statement repeated often to create desired changes in your life. Repeating the affirmation helps not only to remind you why you are no longer smoking but imprints a new image of health so that the body can then produce health. Examples: "I am a non-smoker." "I make healthy choices in my life." "I radiate divine health." "My body is my temple and it is pristine and beautiful."
- Setting Boundaries - Set up contracts with other smokers to refrain from smoking in your presence. This includes spouses. When possible stay away from smokers until you feel more confident with your nonsmoking health status.
- Drink water - Research shows that dryness causes cravings. Sip water frequently throughout the day.
- Refrain or reduce your caffeine, coffee and soda intake - Research shows that caffeine causes cravings and dehydrates the body. If you are going to drink caffeinated beverages, make sure you also sip water throughout the day as well.
- Food choices - Eat a lot of carrots, celery and other vegetables throughout the next few days. Candy and sugary snacks upset blood sugar level, which can aggravate smoking-withdrawal symptoms. Sugar substitutes such as NutraSweet, Equal or Splenda are sweeter than sugar and cause further sugar cravings.
- Managing cravings - Cravings feel like they will last forever but they actually fade in few minutes. Plan what you will do during a craving. Examples: repeat your affirmation; breathe deeply; meditate or pray; walk to another place; sing a song; dance; call your support person.
RELAPSE PLANNING
- No one expects a person to quit drinking alcohol by attending a few AA meetings. Quitting smoking is only the tip of the iceberg. There are a lot of triggers that can cause relapse and relapse can oftentimes be part of the process.
- Cigarettes can act as a shield to insulate uncomfortable feelings and situations. A new nonsmoker can feel vulnerable and confused when trying to handle a stressful situation so having a plan of action ahead of time can be a life saver
- Plan for what you will do when you have a craving. Write down your plan and have it ready when you need it.
- With any addiction, you have to "start over" every morning, but eventually, it becomes easier and easier.
- If you want an additional ETPS Session, after completing the 8 treatments, the fee is $75 per session. One session may help you return to your commitment to becoming a Non Smoker.
Healing Chronic Pain - For Medical Professionals
Pain Management, A Practical Guide for Clinicians, Published by the American Academy of Pain Management, 6th Edition
ETPS Therapy for Chronic Pain - Anthony Ferraraccio is the only Licensed Massage Therapist in West Virginia, allowed, by law, to perform this therapy. He has extensive training and experience in working with specific pain conditions such as carpel tunnel syndrome, sciatica, plantar fasciitis and chronic back and neck pain. Free consultation and treatment planning offered to new patients. Children are welcome. Patients under 18 must have parent present during therapy.
50 Minutes - $125 (Series of Five - $575 - save $100)
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