Center for the Healing Arts   
 
SCENAR Therapy


SCENAR (Self Controlled Energo Neuro Adaptive Regulator) is a reflex biofeedback device which uses only light touch to the body with an electrical energy corresponding to the body's own signal. It is used for pain control and helps to correct various functional and pathologic processes by stimulating the body's own healing reserves. The SCENAR was developed in the 1970's in Russia for the space program. In 1986 the SCENAR was permitted by the USSR Medical Council for release to the general public and hospitals and by May 2002 it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as a biofeedback device in the United States.

The SCENAR has been used to assist in pain management and relief in all types of disorders- circulatory, respiratory, neurological, genitourinary, endocrine, musculoskeletal, immune, gastrointestinal and even psychological discomfort. The SCENAR device is particularly effective for various types of organic and referred pain, musculoskeletal pain, and, as evidenced by its use for the Russian Olympians, for acute conditions such as fractures and sprains. Russian experience suggests that it is effective in neurological disorders, skin disorders, neuroendocrine disorders, and mental and behavioural disorders.

The device also helps normalize metabolic processes and balances the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. It increases the adaptive ability of the body and greatly reduces recovery times from injury, infection or trauma. These effects can be traced and confirmed by additional methods of investigation: ECG, EEG, X-ray, CT, Ultrasound, irido-diagnostic, biochemical investigations, electro-information investigation, and computer acupuncture diagnostics.

The SCENAR works on the principles of acupuncture and reflex zones. Because the skin develops embryologically from the same tissue as that of the nervous system you can treat areas of the skin that represent internal organs and energy pathways. Therefore, use of the SCENAR influences every system of the body and assists in balancing energy flow of the meridians.

The SCENAR delivers electrical impulses to stimulate the body and these impulses have been tailored to mimic the electrical discharges of the nervous system in order to elicit the person's response with optimum efficiency and minimum disruption to cell function. These impulses act on both the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. In response to the SCENAR impulse, regulative neuropeptides are released initiating a 'whole body' effect - operating on both mind and body.

 

  


The SCENAR is operated by placing the device directly onto the skin, where it collects electromagnetic signals, records the skin response and returns a newly modulated and modified signal back to the body. The SCENAR device also helps the body to identify, 'reconnect and recognize' the pathological area. The person’s own body in turn releases regulative peptides which help regenerate the damaged cells or to restore healthy function.

SCENAR


During a SCENAR session, the recipient feels only a gentle tingle and /or stroking sensation, as the device is moved over the spine, abdomen, infected area or other relevant portions of the bare skin. The SCENAR's signals, in contrast to other electrical therapies, changes in response to body changes, thus preventing adaptation or habituation.

It is this "biofeedback" feature that distinguishes it from TENS machines and others which send out a consistent continuous signal to which the body can eventually fail to respond.

The SCENAR's impulses aim to strengthen the integrity and natural balance of the organism as a whole by stimulating the nervous system to produce neuropeptides. Neuropeptides are chemicals produced by the nerves, that keep the body balanced and reestablishes the body's natural physiological state in which healing is achieved. Without these regulatory neuropeptides, the body adapts and becomes "stuck" in "disease states" and portions of the body are blocked from communicating with the energetic system that keeps it in balance. The SCENAR begins a dialogue with these blocked areas by providing a new stream of information.

 


Furthermore, since these regulatory peptides last up to several hours, the healing process continues long after the treatment session. The net effect is to excite motor and sensory fibers, increase the speed of blood flow, activate local humoral mechanisms and promote the removal of waste products from cells.

Since the SCENAR assists in normalizing metabolic processes and thus enhancing the adaptive ability of the body, other reported benefits include improving sleep disturbances, appetite, behavioral problems, learning ability, memory, sexual function and overall physical health. In Russian journals, the SCENAR is also credited with dramatically reducing recovery times. Russian athletes have been known not only to compete after serious injuries, but to then go on to break world-records. In accident and emergency wards, its ability to aid recovery is utilized in Russia to help victims of cardiac arrest, massive trauma and coma. Trials in Russia have proven the SCENAR's application for pain relief. Both cancer and fracture patients have been reported to have found more pain relief from the release of natural opioids after SCENAR treatment than from administered opiates.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

In over twenty years of use in Russia and Europe, no unwanted side effects have been noted. Since the impulses sent by the device are similar to the body's own impulses, these are quite safe, even for children and pregnant women. The obvious contraindications are cardiac pacemakers and other such electrical implants, individual intolerances, alcohol intoxication and obscure infectious diseases.

With all this in mind, wherever other electrotherapies have effects, SCENAR-therapy will also be useful, and indeed, it has been found to be very useful when other electrotherapies have failed. As with all therapies/methods that stimulate rather than suppress the body's own healing power, the initial effect may be a "healing crises" that makes the person feel worse before feeling better. A lack of energy and general malaise may result as old problems and toxicities are brought to the surface for treatment and elimination. This soon passes and is followed increased energy and well-being.