Courtesy of Alpha-Stim

For many veterans, the unseen wounds of military service—chronic pain, anxiety, and insomnia—can be as difficult as physical injuries. The same often applies to cancer patients and others suffering from ongoing pain. As Veteran and Cancer Centers investigate new drug-free methods for healing, one promising tool gaining recognition nationwide, including in Western New York, is the Alpha-Stim device.

What Is Alpha-Stim?

Alpha-Stim is a small, handheld medical device that uses gentle electrical currents to help the brain and body relax. FDA-cleared to treat anxiety, insomnia, and pain—conditions that often accompany post-traumatic stress—the Alpha-Stim device works in two ways:

  • Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) uses small ear clips to deliver a gentle current that helps calm the nervous system and improve mood and sleep.
  • Microcurrent Electrical Therapy (MET) focuses on specific pain areas with handheld probes or adhesive pads.

The stimulation is so gentle that most users feel little to nothing during treatment, which typically lasts about 20 to 60 minutes.

How Alpha-Stim is Used Locally.

The Veterans Administration offers Alpha-Stim to its patients, focusing on treating the whole person rather than just symptoms. The goal is to reduce individuals’ reliance on medications like opioids or sedatives and provide additional tools for managing stress, pain, and emotional health. Some occupational therapy and pain management programs lend Alpha-Stim devices for home use. Others incorporate them into therapy sessions to help patients feel calmer and more receptive to counseling or rehabilitation. Lem Mogavero, a clinical nurse manager at Roswell Park, has found relief for patients using Alpha-Stim. Amy Case, MD, who introduced Alpha-Stim to Roswell patients during the pandemic, explained that managing patients with complex needs often includes anxiety and insomnia. For Dr. Case, Alpha-Stim was another tool in the toolbox.

What Patients and Clinicians Say.

Many veterans, cancer patients, and others experiencing various symptoms of chronic pain report feeling less anxious, sleeping better, and having more control over their emotions and pain. For those dealing with anxiety and insomnia, the device provides a sense of calm without the side effects of medications.

“After using Alpha-Stim, I felt grounded almost immediately, without needing to take a Xanax, and I started sleeping through the night again,” shared a veteran in a VA pilot program. “It gave me back a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in years.” Another inpatient at the VA Batavia PTSD Center said, “I’ve been doing great with Alpha-Stim. I use it every night before sleep, and I’m out in minutes. It’s been a game-changer for me.” Clinicians echo that sentiment. “It’s not a cure-all,” one VA occupational therapist noted, “but it gives patients a way to participate actively in their healing—without fear of dependency.”

If you or someone you know wants to learn why some of the best local and national medical centers in the country are using Alpha-Stim and how it can be available to you at a nominal cost, call the WNY representative at 800-367-7246 and visit https://alpha-stim.com.