Relief

Safety Overview: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation is a form of non-invasive brain stimulation that uses mild electrical currents to modulate neural activity, either stimulating or inhibiting brain functions. It is the gentlest and safest form of electrical stimulation currently available. In a review of over 180,000 patient sessions, there were no serious side-effects or signs of irreversible tissue injury. Due to its positive safety profile, the European Union has even approved transcranial stimulation for home use. It involves placing two or more electrodes on the scalp and sending very small amounts of electricity through the skull and into the brain tissues. The electricity does not cause neurons to fire (action potentials). The electrical current is so low that it only mildly changes a neurons electrical charge (resting potential). Although very mild, it changes the resting potential just enough to enhance or inhibit neuron firing. Research: The US Military (DARPA) discovered tDCS can improve focus and double learning speeds. Academic researchers have replicated these studies with similar results; doubling learning speeds in students. Vast evidence supports the notion that tDCS can accelerate learning speeds and enhance cognitive performance in a range of complex cognitive tasks. Furthermore, tDCS has been approved for depression in the European Union. The FDA recently cleared clinical trials of tDCS in the treatment for depression. The promising research and safety profile have some academic centers and clinics starting to use transcranial stimulation, including Johns Hopkins University, New York University, and Mount Sinai Hospital. The tACS device has been cleared by the FDA for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia in the US since 1990. The Fisher Wallace Stimulator has been regulated for use longer than any other wearable neurostimulation device on the market. There have been no reported serious side effects during this period.

The side effects of tDCS are mild, benign, and short-lived. The most common side-effects are itching and tingling. In a recent systematic review, Brunoni et al. assembled data from tDCS studies performed up to 2010. Out of 172 articles, 56% mentioned adverse effects and 63% reported at least one adverse effect. Importantly, when they were systematically assessed, the rates of common adverse effects did not differ between the active arms of the studies and the sham arms. These included itching (39.3% vs. 32.9%, respectively), tingling (22.2% vs. 18.3%), headache (14.8% vs. 16.2%), burning sensation (8.7% vs. 10%) and discomfort (10.4% vs. 13.4%). Source

The brain and spinal cord change in response to persistent pain (more than 3 months) regardless of the cause. Relief was developed to modify this abnormal neural functioning in the brain (called Pain Neurotags). Relief reduces pain and improves wellbeing by rewiring the brain's pain processing network. Common conditions include: Chronic Back Pain Chronic Shoulder Pain Sciatica Migraine Headaches Tension-Type Headaches Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) Knee Joint Pain Foot, Leg, Hand, and Wrist Pain Nerve Pain (Neuropathy) Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Chronic Gastrointestinal Pain (IBS) Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Other: Chronic pain with no obvious sign of biological causes lasting more than three months Relief has not been reviewed or approved by the Food & Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Always talk to your health care provider before beginning any new program. Relief does not replace care by your provider and is not intended to be a substitute for chronic pain treatment given or prescribed by your healthcare provider.

Don't use if you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant. Don't use if you suffer from epilepsy, brain injury, bipolar disorder, or severe heart disease. Don't use if you have a pacemaker or any other invasive or non-invasive electronic medical devices, electrocardiograph or any other medical screening and electronic monitoring devices. Don't use if you are under the age of 18. Always talk to your health care provider before beginning any new program. Relief does not replace care by your provider and is not intended to be a substitute for chronic pain treatment given or prescribed by your healthcare provider.

Yes! tDCS is recommended but we understand some people are unable to for various reasons. The digital program uses various evidence-based techniques that can change how your brain processes pain.