how to heal autoimmune disease: the SCENAR machine
I’m on a mission to find the most nurturing techniques for healing autoimmune disease conditions. As I keep saying: anyone who doesn’t have an AI will find these posts just as helpful because they’re all about moving towards maximum wellness. As in, effortless, kind, bountiful wellness. This post I’m sharing the sweet joys that are the SCENAR.
Photo by Gabriele Rigon
I first encountered the SCENAR via James Korber of Straighten Up. He’d treated me with the Atlas correction technique and at the end of the session pulled out this funny little device, about the size of a TV remote, and started running it up and down my neck.
Oh my.
I can’t begin to tell you the effect this contraption can have. Instantly. After borrowing James’ (and getting some little tutorials from him…if you’re in Byron, Newcastle or Sydney, he does SCENAR treatments in your home) I got my own. I apply it to painful, inflamed parts of my body, it zaps its thing and I get relief.
I’m guessing you need some more info…yes?
OK.
What is this thing you speak of?
SCENAR is an acronym for ‘Self Controlled Energo-Neuro Adaptive Regulator’. It’s an electro- bio-controlled device initially developed for astronauts for managing pain and overall health while in space. It uses a harmless (unless you get a little bit addicted to the pain, as I do) electric impulse that stimulates the body’s own adaptive mechanisms, via a biofeedback process. The effect of SCENAR is based on electric impulses of a specific shape – patterned from natural nervous discharges in the human body. Former USSR nations have approved the SCENAR on the national health care system and the US FDA acknowledges the technology as a viable method of pain management. Here in Australia some health funds also recognise it.
How does it work…the science?
Stimulating nerve endings within the skin at particular points effect changes in internal organs. Ergo, acupuncture. Ditto, stimulating points on the skin via electric impulses.
This from my research:
The SCENAR sends an impulse through the skin tissue, and measures the time reaction of tissue (SCENAR measures all tissues, not only skin) to that pulse and modifies the pulse in order to create a tendency toward what might best be called a ‘healing pattern’. In other words, the designers of the SCENAR have identified a particular response pattern that tends to be associated with a general ‘healing’ event in tissue. It ‘nudges’ the response of the tissue in that general direction. It uses a biofeedback loop to do it, constantly comparing the response with the desired pattern until they match.
In essence, it informs the tissue when its response is heading in the right (or wrong) direction.
And some more:
What does it heal?
The SCENAR assists with a number of conditions:
- Pain, inflammation relief
- Low energy or vitality in the body, meaning a lack of intrinsic healing resources
- Lack of, or a disruption to the communication (energy – information) systems in the body, meaning that messages cannot reach their ‘target’
- Lack of response from the nervous, endocrine and immune systems
- Low priority to the injury, meaning the body’s healing resources are directed elsewhere
- Assists with deep sleep
- Range of motion increases due to muscular relaxation
- Microcirculation is increased
- Feeling of well-being, lightness, relaxed.
What about auto immune issues?
One of the odd (and there are many) side effects of hashimotos is carpal tunnel. It drives me just a little bit mental. The left side of my neck jams, blocking a nerve that runs down my left arm leaving it numb and tingly. I have to visit chiros and acupuncturists and…the rest…just to unjam things. But. Now. I sit with the SCENAR on it for about five minutes and it releases the tension and over the next few hours everything releases.
You can also do this thing where you link it up to two pads – one sits under your bum (to earth it) the other on the side of a metal pot of water. I put my hand in the water and turn the device on…the current passes into my hand and works it’s way up. My arm flickers and jumps as the current works its way up, releasing and healing. After about ten minutes it’s done it’s thing and I can actually move my arm and hand and neck again.
I also apply it to my legs and hands when the inflammation from lymphatic blockages flares up. It soothes and brings down the swelling and gets things flowing again.
It can be hooked up to two feet pads. When I’m typing I put a pad under each foot, turn the device on and it gently sends a current up my legs. Great for thyroidy days when being at a computer hurts.
I also apply it to my face, around my eye where I have Graves disease damage (when I’m tired it flares up). It also heals this (by which I mean, it seems to relax the muscles and swelling and bring my eye back to normal).
How does it heal so well?
When there is trauma to any area in the body the response from the nervous, endocrine and immune systems is to release neuropeptides appropriate to the injury and initiate pain reduction and the healing process. This is what generally happens when the body is healthy.
Neuropeptides regulate almost all life processes on the cellular level, thus linking together all body systems. They have been referred to as the body’s internal pharmacy, the ‘key in the lock’ that causes the cascading, chain reaction effect, creating an holistic body response.
But sometimes the body’s healing process is slow, or incomplete, and if the body is unable to effect healing it may isolate or disconnect from the dysfunctional area and not apply any more healing to it.
The SCENAR claims to
‘awaken’ the endocrine and immune systems
Communication in the body is restored, and messages can be sent to reinitiate the healing process.
The brain, given that it is now receiving messages clearly, can instruct the nervous system to release neuropeptides to initiate the healing process.
How does it feel?
Um, like an electric current. Tingly and buzzy. When you hit a “stuck” or problematic area, the device “sticks” and also beeps. You stroke or hold it on this spot and gradually that area releases. On the problematic bits, it can hurt, but in a good way…like little needles firing into the muscle or ligament. On big muscles that are tense (ie that big one that runs from the side of the neck across the shoulder) it will literally “grab” it, lift it an inch and then “dump” it. This process is friggen addictive fun. It’s like having a masseur grab and release your tense shoulders with big fists.
When applied to the face, again it “grabs” and releases, like someone pinching your face. The sensation is…I know no other way to put it….orgasmic.
I’ve taken it to dinner parties and passed it around. It stops all conversation as people groan in “happy pain” if you know what I mean.
I don’t often bang on so enthusiastically about something. So I hope you take my fervour in this instance as genuine.
How to experience one
You can contact RITMSCENAR here. They are the Asia-Pacific branch of all things SCENAR on this side of the globe.
James can be contacted here.
You can buy your own SCENAR here.
Or, if you’d like to see a professional SCENAR practitioner in Australia or New Zealand, simply click on either country for a full listing.
Have you tried a SCENAR? Anything we should know?
I work for a physio on the northern beaches in Sydney and we have 2 certified SCENAR practitioners. The results we get for a range of aliments is amazing. I personally fractured my foot 6 months ago and using the SCENAR reduced swelling, bruising and helped healing. I was walking without a boot in 5 weeks. It is a fantastic therapy!!
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Hi Sarah,
totally unrelated question, but I’ve got a bag of roasted edamame beans in front of me on my desk …. i remember reading somewhere that these are ok to eat as opposed to other anti-nutrient containing soy products …. am i right? do they pose the same threat or can i munch away safely enough?!!
xo
hope you have time to answer – or anyone else who might know!! sorry to go off topic!!!
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February 8th, 2012 at 12:11 pm
Hi Seeker, as someone with AI, I avoid soy products mostly. If they’re fermented first – eg tempeh, as opposed to tofu – it’s relatively safe. If you’re AI-free, they’re fine occasionally.
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February 8th, 2012 at 2:38 pm
Ahh ok, thanks for that oh wise one! love reading your blog!
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ps. i am SO gonna be angling for one of these scenar machines for a birthday present – thanks for sharing!! or better still – buy it for my man (and get a go of it too!!, hee hee!)
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Fascinating… oh I feel so achy this week I gotta try this…
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Synchroncity – I just tried this last Sat at Subiaco Famers Mkt in Perth. My shoulders started jumping all around as you said when the deep tension released. A little unnerving, but effective. People in Perth Joss Lester does home treatments on 0411 772 249 and free trials at Subi Farmers Mkt some weeks. From what I recall the units are pretty pricy though…
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February 8th, 2012 at 12:11 pm
Ta for sharing the West contact
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February 9th, 2012 at 1:49 am
No probs, I only had the free trial but he seemed a really genuine guy. I’m planning to have a full treatment soon
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My naturopath has used scenar on me the past year. I think its fantastic, great for pain relief. My naturopath also advertises the use of cosmetic scenar. I think there is a setting on the device specifically for this maybe. But focusing on its healing abilities, it is definitely worth trying!
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Pretty interesting device, I wonder would it work for long term nerve injuries however? I usually like to try natural remedies only but we don’t live in a natural world so this makes sense.
I’m usually quite sensitive to unnatural vibratory influences like this as I have explained in my blog, certain humanistic made things can give of a vibrative field of affect but most negative vibrative things can be changed anyway man made or not. ….Love Mathew
PS I have written up another three topics on my blog….mrmathew1963.blogspot.com…to do with The Inner Self, Conclusion-the end of a consciousness & Manifesting- our thoughts. I like to help if I can!!
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As we are need to maintain accurate representation because of TGA requirements would you please correct the 2 statements under Reflex Biofeedback on your blog?
Scenar is the first…
Scenar sends out an impulse…,
In reality Scenar does not change its output as a response to the body and is not therefore a bio feedback device. The skin does respond to the Scenar signal and Scenar measures that change in the diagnostic 1 mode or reflects this skin response under its electrode ie sticky, red, quiet.
The device is very simple and wonderfully effective, but alot of this false information is widely perpetrated and unfortunately makes it harder for therapists to be respected. The Professional device measures skin impedance indirectly through measurement of changes of speed in different parts of the initialising waveform and these measurements are interpreted by the therapist. Always, the body changes as a response to the Scenar signal not the Scenar itself.
Being a blog you have more latitude and its possibly OK, but the only real claim for Scenar is pain relief and this is because of the research on the ENAR which is peer reviewed and published in PubMed . No other claims can be made legally so it may be better to just report your own experience. Yours sincerely Colleen Keetley Training Director Enlightened Therapies P/L
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Anyone know of where this is practiced in Adelaide?????
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February 9th, 2012 at 3:44 pm
Here you go – check out SCENAR Australia – they have details of some practitioners in each state
http://scenaraustralia.org/scenar-therapists-in-south-australia/
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Thanks Sarah!!
I love your “healing autoimmune” series. I’ve recently been having some struggles just when I thought things were on the mend and I love that someone out there is fighting the good fight! It can be so frustrating when we do everything right and still end up in a sore and inflamed place.
Interestingly my doctor has now decided she does not want to give me copies of my blood test results. Apparently I am meant to go away and take the meds and she will call me if there is something she thinks I should know. *facepalm* So much for being informed!
I had a big laugh at the orgasmic part of the article too, glad to see you are enjoying yourself!
xx
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Do you know whether this would be suitable for arthritic pain?
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Hi Cindy,
SCENAR treats all types or pain wonderfully. Its possible for you to seek a treatment from a practitioner and also treat your self with a home device. Its quite simple to use and easy to pick up.
Judy click on this link to find a therapist in your area
http://scenaraustralia.org/
You might like to look over http://www.straightenup.com.au as well. I have treated for many years with this wonderful scenar machine but it is my opinion that the Atlas bone need to seek its correct alignment before you treat anything. Once the Atlas is in Alignment bodys are much easier to fix or if your’re luck they fix them selfs:)
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I might give it a go thanks!
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Hi Sarah, do you know the best way to get tested for AI? And any practitioners you recommend in Sydney/north shore? Cheers
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It is right that carpal tunnel syndrome often can be found in hypothyroid and Hashimoto’s patients. The main cause is metabolic. In particular low levels of T3 thyroid hormone, suboptimal cortisol and B12 deficiency play the major role. If you can optimize all of this factors and especially T3 levels, symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrom can go away completely.
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I have an ENAR which is the same – love it!!! Also have the Energy Blankets – expensive but I now sleep like a log. I find it very easy to get off to sleep and stay that way – now not tired all day.
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I have a long story, but I cut it down. I have been steroid dependent for 5 years. My sodium kept bottoming out. 113, and 110. Scary. They put me on steroids (cortef) because they didn’t know what else to do. I found an integrated medical Dr. and through a saliva test, she put me on hormone cream made at a compound pharmacy. After 3-4 months, she started weening me off my steroids. I’m in my 3rd week of weening. The cool thing is I feel really good, but not wearing myself out at all. Laying low so to speak. About 6-7 months ago I started trading services with a friend, and I get scenar done on my body. She has been treating my adreanals all along. I love it, and I believe that started the ball rolling in getting me off my steroids. I would love to buy one and get trained on it myself. Any ideas of where and when I could do this?
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February 16th, 2012 at 9:18 pm
Hi Johanna,
I am James from http://www.straightenup.com.au and scenar therapist as mentioned above.
I’d be happy to organise a scenar for you, point you in the direction for training or answer any questions you may have.
james@straightenup.com.au or 0457 808044.
tae care:)
JK
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Wow, I would love to try the effects of this gadget. I live in Canada and have NEVER heard of this. I did a basic search and nothing came up for where I live in Kitchener, Ontario.
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February 22nd, 2012 at 10:35 pm
HI Lisa,
I know of a very good SCENAR therapist in Whistler BC by the name of Teresa you can contact her on teresamcvety@yahoo.com. She may know some one local??
James
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Reading this just wondering if this would help with my sons immune system. He is 11 1/2 yrs old and keeps getting cold sores. ( on his lip ) It seems like just as one goes ( after 10+ days ) then another one appears about 2 weeks later. I have spent many hours trying to find something to help him on the internet but so far come up with nothing. I would really appreciate any help or advise. many thanks.
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March 9th, 2012 at 10:16 am
Hi Tracey – Cold sores are a viral infection caused by virus herpes simplex. I’m not a health practitioner but did get my first cold sore when I was 8 (now 40) – and it was a doozie! If your son keeps getting them that suggests that his immune system is low and having trouble fighting the virus (which by the way stays in your system forever but goes in hibernation when your immune system is strong). I’d suggest a couple of approaches – 1. visit your GP. They will probably provide a topical cream and antivirals that will give the body a bit of support. 2. Lysine is an amino acid that can help. I take Blackmores Lyp-sine, which is specifically formulated for cold sores (got Vit C & zinc in it too). 3. Avoid foods high in the amino acid arginine as this ‘feeds’ the cold sore – eg. chocolate, nuts 4. Find a naturopath or holistic/ integrative gp who can find out what other things are going on/ develop a plan to strengthen his immunity. I found this which I think is pretty good: http://www.coldsorefacts.com.au/Cold_Sore_Free_Diet_Guide.pdf
All the best!
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Hello, i know exactly what you are talking about with the scenar! about 5 years ago i developed severe scoliosis, however, before it became so severe i needed spinal surgery to correct it, I would have 2 scenar treatments a week. They were fantastic! They managed to slow down the progression of scoliosis and remove alot of the pain i was in! i would recommend it for absolutely anyone that has any condition! I know people who were going through chemotherapy and would use their own machine to treat tender areas!
Definatly give it a go!
Lilli x
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This all sounds very good – I’m pleased my friend pointed me in this direction. I am seriously considering buying a SCENAR machine as I’m sick of doling out thousands to chiros and the like. I think an initial session with a practitioner seems a good idea which leads me to ask what are the costs? and how long do the sessions usually last? It is a whole-body thing? Or targets affected areas? Thanks!
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Dang! I forgot to check the ‘notify me via email box’ so would you mind replying to this one instead, please?
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Hi from England
I had a “Whipples Procedure” (pancreatic surgery) a couple of years ago and still suffer pain and discomfort on a daily basis. Fortunately the growth removed was pre-cancerous and I didnt need to have chemo but I have never got back to normal. Is there anyone out there who has tried a SCENAR implement for discomfort and pain relief due to sensetivity to close fitting clothing? I am unable to wear a bra or skirts and trousers with a waistband. I cannnot walk without pain and am unable to carry shopping bags etc.
Are their scenar practitioners in England?
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Sorry – just sent an incorrect email address. This is the correct one!
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Hi Sarah,
Great post about Scenar! I’m in the states (Asheville, North Carolina) and have been providing Scenar treatments for 8 years. It is the most gratifying work I’ve ever done! I had polio as a kid and Scenar has helped me tremendously with the symptoms of Post Polio Syndrome. If you want my take on the Scenar experience, I’ve been keeping a blog about it (plus some other related health things) since 2009. Lots of info about the parasympathetic system and how to develop a more balanced autonomic system.
It was fun to find you and enjoy your enthusiasm about Scenar.
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Many thanks for this wonderful posts. I was wondering whether you
were planning of publishing related posts to this. Continue writing
excellent articles!
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Dear Sir/ Madam;
Greetings!
We are Happy to have Submitted this Press Release to the General Public and Media on behalf of all offering SCENAR Technology …We hope you find it useful in your business.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/10/prweb9944115.htm
Thank you.
May this good blessings of the New Year be yours throughout.
Sincerely,
Ludivina Ballan, AB
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