[Jon_sparky]

Hi,
A friend came by today, and let me try out this iMRSA2000 unit. It originates in Germany. http://electromeds.com/mrs2000/
The unit pulse ELF waves into the body, along with light and sound waves. Being a adventurous (and desperate) person, I opted to try it out for my PN. First I did the mat for 1 hour, it pulses at about 25htz, with the green light goggles and the headphones all pulsing together, was a sensory overload. I did feel rested afterward. Then I tried a smaller mat, alternating hands then feet, my feet and hands felt like they were waking up afterward, kind of a low buzz. However, later in the evening the burning pain returned with a vengeance! I don't think I will be buying one anytime soon... $6k for whole package... I think it would help with numbness, as it deffinatly woke some nerves up.
Has anyone tried a unit like this? I would be interested if they were helped long term.

[Jon_sparky]

Here is the findings so far on PN:
The largely unsatisfactory results reported for the pharmacological treatment of diabetic neuropathy has spurred the search for alternative therapies. Frequency-modulated electromagnetic neural stimulation (FREMS) induced a significant reduction in daytime and night-time VAS pain score (all p<0.02). Furthermore, FREMS induced a significant increase in sensory tactile perception, as assessed by monofilament; a decrease in foot vibration perception threshold, as measured by a biothesiometer; and an increase in motor nerve conduction velocity (all p<0.01). No significant changes were observed after placebo. Comparison of measurements at the 4-month follow-up with those at baseline revealed that a significant benefit persisted for all measures that showed an improvement at the end of treatment, with an additional improvement in quality of life (Short Form-36 questionnaire)No significant side effects were recorded during the study. Frequency-modulated electromagnetic neural stimulation (FREMS) is a safe and effective therapy for neuropathic pain in patients with diabetes and is able to modify some parameters of peripheral nerve function. - Diabetologia

Clinical and electroneuromyographic studies were performed in 121 patients with diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) before and after courses of treatment with pulsed electromagnetic fields with complex modulation (PEMF-CM) at different frequencies (100 and 10 Hz). The earliest and most significant electroneuromyographic signs of DPN were found to be decreases in the amplitude of the H reflex and the Hmax/Mmax ratio in the muscles of the lower leg. Application of PEMF-CM facilitated regression of the main clinical symptoms of DPN, improved the conductive function of peripheral nerves, improved the state of la afferents, and improved the reflex excitability of functionally diverse motoneurons in the spinal cord. PEMF-CM at 10 Hz was found to have therapeutic efficacy, especially in the initial stages of DPN and in patients with diabetes mellitus for up to 10 years. - Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology

Neuropathic pain (NP) from peripheral neuropathy (PN) arises from ectopic firing of unmyelinated C-fibers with accumulation of sodium and calcium channels. Because pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) safely induce extremely low frequency (ELF) quasirectangular currents that can depolarize, repolarize, and hyperpolarize neurons, it was hypothesized that directing this energy into the sole of one foot could potentially modulate neuropathic pain. These pilot data demonstrate that directing PEMF to refractory feet can provide unexpected shortterm analgesic effects in more than 50% of individuals. The role of placebo is not known and was not tested. The precise mechanism is unclear yet suggests that severe and advanced cases are more magnetically sensitive. Future studies are needed with randomized placebo-controlled design and longer treatment periods. - Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair

[glenntaj]

--one avenue for the reduction of neural symptoms, and for the possible regeneration of nerves, for quite a while.

All of the cold laser, Rebuilder, Anodyne, application of magnets, etc., modes of therapy all have a their cores an attempt to create/use electromagnetic waves or polarities to alter the electrochemical status of the nerves and hopefully "normalize" it to promote healing. TENS and other electrostim therapies also attempt to do this, though on a smaller scale.

Obviously, these have worked at least to some extent some of the time for some people, though it does not seem to have consistent effects across conditions and populations (e.g., some have reported no effects and some even a worsening of symptoms). Certainly something worth trying out, as it is not systemically invasive in the same way pharmaceuticals or surgery are, but (as Dr. Smith likes to write), your mileage may vary.

[Dr. Smith]

If it can't hurt to try it, then it can't hurt to try it.

Doc