By Dr. Michael Cooney, Clinical Director
Congratulations! You have completed your Calmare Therapy treatment protocol. Now that you have less pain or are pain-free, your quality of life is about to improve. Once you are home, however, it is important to follow our post-treatment protocol to maximize the outcome of your therapy.
My recommendations are outlined below:
No Significant Exercise or Physical Therapy for Two Weeks after Treatment
Your body is in the process of recalibrating after your Calmare treatments, so rest is important. When you start exercising, even just walking without a support device, be prepared to feel some temporary soreness associated with new activity you may not have been able to perform previously. Take it slow.
Treating Muscle Soreness
During post-exercise recovery, if soreness or discomfort occurs, use heat in brief increments of no more than 10 minutes. If it persists, introduce ice treatment (frozen vegetable bags are my favorite) for 10 minutes and switch back to hot for a period of up to one hour.
Don’t Overdo
While it is thrilling to feel less pain and be more mobile, muscles need time to adjust to renewed use. Use caution and don’t perform too much activity too soon. (Yes, we realize this can be easier said than done). If you feel tired or any pain, stop what you are doing and rest.
Additional Sleep Needs
Your body needs to re-adjust to several physiological changes after treatment. You may need to sleep several more hours than usual for the next two to three weeks. This is normal.
Update Your Pain Management Team
It’s important to discuss your successful treatment outcome with your healthcare team. It is probable that your medications, particularly those used for pain, may no longer be needed for pain management.
Improve Your Nutrition
Now that you are feeling better and moving more, you should see improvement in appetite. Take advantage of feeling better and fuel your recovering body with high-quality, natural foods– fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, beans and nuts/seeds.
Hydrate
Fuel your body with water to help rejuvenate organs, skin, muscles and bones. Carry water with you throughout the day. Drink at least 6 – 8 tall bottles/glasses of water daily to maintain hydration.
Support Emotional Health
As a chronic pain warrior, you face a multitude of added stressors, physically and mentally. Your newfound reduction in pain may change your need for several medications and alter the outlook for your future. We hope you will chronicle how you feel after Calmare Therapy. Keep a record of the new activities you are able to participate in and how you feel throughout the day. We hope this treatment is life-altering for you.
Make a strong effort to pursue spiritual peace-of-mind and share your feelings with your mental health team. Investigate mind/body assets such as meditation (start with an online app) and recovery yoga to get reacquainted with your body again.
If You Feel Pain
Depending on your medical condition/s and the length of time you previously experienced it, nerve pain can return (to a lesser degree). Pay careful attention to any physical or emotional issues that may have contributed to an increase in pain. If the discomfort is prolonged for more than 2 weeks, Calmare booster treatments (generally 1 – 3 treatments) may be necessary. Please call the office for further instructions.
Stay in Touch with Us
Always feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you have after scrambler therapy. Feel free to email us at info@calmaretherapynj.com or call the clinic directly at (201) 933-4440 and we’ll reply within 24-48 hours.
Finally, please share your pictures or videos to let us know how you are doing now that your pain is reduced or eliminated. Absolutely nothing makes us happier than seeing our patients enjoying life to the fullest again.
Dr. Cooney
