Scenar and Micro Current Stimulation - A New Approach to Pain

Micro-Current Stimulation (or MCS) is generally known by its original Russian marketing name, Scenar. This is a highly effective, lasting form of natural pain relief, popular for decades in Germany and Russia. It usually gives remarkably fast results with recent injuries and acute issues, and steady improvement with chronic issues (often helping those that resist other therapies).

This technology is gentle, soothing and cost-effective. It has no negative side effects and simply mobilizes the body's own natural resources. It also helps with sleep and stress, enables fast returns to work and mobility, and works alongside mainstream medicine.   

How does it work?

Scenar, or MCS, involves a form of electro-stimulation (not TENS, see below). A mild electrical signal is applied to the skin on areas of pain or dysfunction, or on zones connected to those areas. 

Nerve receptors in the skin then send signals through the central nervous system to the brain. As the brain and nervous system re-focus on the areas being treated, they trigger waves of neuropeptides. These are natural chemical messengers, including some of the strongest known painkillers (endorphins).

Scenar's effectiveness comes from a combination of constant, inter-active communication (helping the body to re-focus on problem areas) and intensity (pushing the body for fresh responses every second). Yet it remains gentle, soothing and non-invasive. 

Why should I consider Scenar?

The main reasons are its speed, depth and long-term effects. These effects usually begin quickly, and are felt more broadly than just the areas being treated. Ongoing chronic conditions may need a lot of work over several months, but Scenar is normally much more than a temporary fix -- once it has fully broken through, the results are usually lasting.

If you have symptoms that just won't go away, and your doctor, and other therapists, have already tried their best, there is still a good chance that Scenar can help you. It is outstanding for pain relief, and restoring lost functions, even with issues that started decades ago.

A 2014 (non-clinical) study at RMIT University (Melbourne, Australia) analysed 481 responses from people who had used Scenar. It found average pain reduction of 70%, while 92% of respondents rated Scenar as better than the other therapies they had tried.

Can it be used with every type of health condition?

The only major contra-indication is electrical implants such as cardiac pace makers. 

However. for a variety of reasons, individual therapists may prefer not to treat certain conditions. My own decision is to not attempt to tackle cancer and other life-threatening conditions, or major mental illnesses, or women during pregnancy. 

The classic health issues for Scenar treatment, the ones on which I focus, are pain due to musculo-skeletal and neurological causes. Back pain, neck pain, muscle and joint aches, fractures and torn tissues, frozen shoulder and migraines are by far the majority of cases I see. Using other technologies, I also help people with fatigue, stress, sleep and a variety of other health challenges.

Is it safe? Does Micro Current produce side effects?

Scenar is totally safe, suitable for all ages, and almost everyone's body will respond. In the  30+ years since it was first invented, there are no reports of negative side effects.

In terms of positive side effects, many people report better sleep and a feeling of relaxation and well being. For example, in the USA, the Center for Security Studies has a joint project with Boston University's Emergency Healthcare Management program to explore the use of micro current stimulation in reducing anxiety and fatigue, and improving personal health, among firefighters, paramedics and police officers.

What does it feel like?

As the device goes through treatment cycles, you'll feel a tingling or prickly sensation on your skin. This feels different in each place and between different Scenar devices and treatment modes. Some devices feel simple and very focused. Others feel complex and three dimensional.

Sensations may appear in totally different parts of the body. Muscles may start to contract and relax, and sometimes an entire limb will rise by a foot or more, and pronate. Often the pain will move from one location to another, requiring the therapist to "chase the pain". Occasionally the signal may feel too strong and the therapist will turn down the intensity. 

The overall feeling is of comfort and relief. People usually report an immediate reduction in pain, and often a total absence of pain in the areas treated -- at least for the duration of the treatment, but sometimes permanently, and often for hours or days later, with the pain-free periods usually becoming longer and longer.

There are various therapists and various types of Micro Current stimulation. How should I choose?

Most types are effective to at least some degree, although the type of device used will affect the speed, depth and range of results. Equally important are the overall health of the client, and the knowledge and experience of the therapist -- for instance do they use it occasionally, or constantly, and how long have they been in practice? When these three factors are optimal, you may see astonishing results. When one or more of them are not optimal, you may get only partial relief. As with any choice of therapist, do a little research first.

Is Scenar the same as TENS machines?

There are similarities but Scenar goes well beyond what TENS machines can do. TENS (like many other electrical stimulation devices) is a simple but useful way of temporarily blocking pain pathways to the brain, such as during childbirth. The effects are shallow, brief and need constant repetition as the body becomes habituated to the signal. By contrast, Scenar creates an interactive feedback loop, with a complex, constantly changing signal, and effects that are deep, cumulative and lasting.

How many treatments will I need and how often?

Overall health, quality of diet, past injuries and surgeries, stress levels, and the nature of any previous treatments will all affect how quickly the body responds, especially with chronic issues. Part of the skill and knowledge of an experienced therapist is in spotting and offering solutions to these other factors.

The nature of the issue, the level of pain and the degree of urgency will all have an effect on the frequency of Scenar treatments. With very acute conditions and recent injuries it may be advisable to have treatment two or three times a week, sometimes even daily. In these situations there is a window of opportunity for extremely rapid progress, and preventing the condition from becoming chronic. Your own need to restore mobility as quickly as possible may also be a consideration. However, the normal pattern is once or twice a week at first, then weekly -- until the treatments have clearly broken through and the symptoms are starting to go away.

Leaving gaps of a week or two reduces momentum and can lead to some regression, interrupting and slowing down your overall progress. Some conditions, such as simple back pain or a mild injury, may resolve in one or two sessions. Others will take several weeks or months, and some ongoing chronic conditions may require long-term ongoing treatment.

Some clients also return for monthly or quarterly "top-ups", even after the main treatment phase has finished. These reminders help the body to stay on track with the original issue but also act as a general tonic, promoting overall health and alignment.

Before starting with Scenar, it's best to see your GP for an overall diagnosis. If you're under their care already, it's best to tell your doctor that you are also receiving Scenar treatment. It is unlikely that they will have heard of it, but you can tell them that this is a new form of electro stimulation pain relief, a major step beyond how TENS machines work, and an excellent companion to mainstream medicine.

You should also tell them that as the Scenar treatments progress, the body may become more responsive to medications, making them more potent. You especially need to mention this once you see a change in symptoms: as a medical professional, your doctor should be the one to decide whether this justifies adjusting the dosage of any medication you might be taking.

Is it OK to combine Scenar with other therapies like chiropractic?

Most of the well known complementary therapies like Acupuncture, Bowen, Chiropractic, Cranio Sacral, Myofascial, Osteopathy and Reflexology share the same basic goals as Scenar. It's tempting to throw more than one therapy at the problem but this often doesn't speed up the results. Each therapy and therapist approaches treatment in a different way, and combining very different approaches in the same treatment period may give the body scrambled instructions, and leave you uncertain of what is working (and not working). To get the best results and value for money, it's generally best to try one at a time. 

But are there any therapies that boost the effects of Scenar?  

Yes. While Scenar is very powerful in its own right, there are some other therapies that help to boost its effectiveness, by simply giving energy to the body. 

What's so special about Scenar? Is it worth it?

• Remarkable levels of pain reduction, recovery of mobility and other functions. 
• Non-invasive, non-toxic, natural, gentle and free of side effects. 
• Often able to break through where nothing else has. 
• Long-lasting or permanent results. 
• Often a bargain compared with the alternatives and especially considering its impact on a person's long-term ability to work and enjoy life.    

To learn more, go to: Scenar - Information and Advice.

I hope you are starting to realize that Scenar is one of the most effective healing technologies available. Perhaps you will give it a chance to help you and those who matter to you.

PLEASE NOTE: I retired from giving Scenar treatments in 2017. This in no way reflects my belief in the effectiveness of Scenar, micro current and the other energy therapies, so I continue to supply this website as a public service. To find a therapist, please see the Practitioners Directory found in the Information + Advice section.

For me this is just a personal choice as I focus on running The Life Mat Company using my other main therapy (PEMF, or Pulsed Electro Magnetic Fields). 

Paul                                                                                                                         

Paul Lowe

Print this page