Scrambler Therapy

What is Scrambler Therapy?

Scrambler therapy is an innovative medical device for the treatment of chronic pain patients with limited options. It was invented in Italy and utilized in Europe successfully for over a decade before being cleared for utilization in the USA.

How Long Has it Been Available For Patients in the United States?

The FDA approved utilization of scrambler technology within the United States in 2009. Scrambler Therapy is now currently offered to select patients at multiple renowned medical centers throughout the country including Johns Hopkins, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and Walter Reed Military Hospital in DC. Local medical university MUSC also utilizes the technology in its cancer center.

What Does Scrambler Therapy Treat?

Scrambler therapy is FDA cleared to treat chronic nerve conditions including pain and numbness with success rates of greater than 70% on average. Treatment regimens are only offered to individuals with chronic conditions that have not responded to traditional medical options including medications, injections, and/or surgical intervention.

How Does it Work?

Each Scrambler treatment regimen is painless and consists of 10 one-hour sessions all performed in our outpatient Charleston area medical center. Total treatment time is 10 hours performed over a 2 week period. Electrodes (similar to EKG pads) are placed on the skin just outside the area of chronic pain and/or numbness along a specific dermatomal pattern. Upon medical device activation, the chronic “abnormal pain or numbness” signal traveling from the damaged nerves to the brain is converted to a “normal pain or numbness free” signal over time. The process is similar to turning down a dimmer light switch minimizing chronic pain or numbness in nerve signals. It has proven to be a life-changing treatment option based on numerous medical studies for many individuals throughout the country that previously did not respond to conventional medical care.

What are some Examples of Conditions it can treat?

Scrambler therapy is utilized to treat multiple neuropathic conditions including chronic intractable back and neck pain, post-laminectomy syndrome (continued pain despite spine surgery), post joint replacement pain, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia (pain after shingles), lumbar radiculopathy (chronic back and leg pain “or” sciatica), cervical radiculopathy (chronic neck and arm pain), and RSD (CRPS).

CHRONIC
BACK PAIN

CHRONIC
LEG PAIN

CHRONIC
NECK PAIN

CHRONIC
ARM PAIN

Can Scrambler Therapy be Performed Outside of a Hospital?

Our medical practice is one of fewer than 15 outpatient physician practices in the country offering this medical treatment to the local community outside of a hospital setting.

Is Scrambler Therapy Covered by Insurance?

Scrambler therapy is not currently covered by insurance carriers. Regardless, the medical treatment is extremely popular given high success rates and patients frequently travel to the area for treatment. Scrambler medical regimen is only offered to appropriate candidates and is based on availability.

How Do I Find Out If I am a Candidate for Scrambler Therapy?

If you find yourself dealing with a chronic pain or numbness condition interfering with quality of life, please contact our office today at 843-856-9669. We will schedule a personal appointment with our physician director to determine if you would be a candidate for this potentially life-changing treatment option.

Very impressed with this medical office. Dr. Alexander’s office is well staffed and well run. He has one of the very few Scrambler Therapy machines in private practice and the treatment I received resolved my 20+ year peripheral neuropathy to the point I stopped taking 900-1800mg of daily Gabapentin. I am an extremely pleased patient.

Richard B.

Highly recommend Scrambler Therapy! After 7 years of significant chronic pain in my hand after a major work injury, Scrambler Therapy has diminished the pain to mostly non-existent. I was able to stop taking medications and look forward to using my hand now.

Scott S.