Search

Calmare NJ USA

Open Search
Category

pain management

International Pain Foundation Nominates Dr. Michael Cooney

May 26, 2020

Dr. Michael Cooney nominated as Hero of Hope

The International Pain Foundation (iPain) announced its 2020 nominees for Hero of Hope this morning and Calmare Therapy NJ USA clinical director Dr. Michael Cooney has been nominated in the Healthcare Provider category:

 

“Hero of Hope Awards recognizes exceptional people who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to assisting and advocating for people living with chronic pain diseases.  Nominations are solicited from the pain community of those who are making a significant contribution within the field of research, education, awareness, or patient assistance for each category.”

 

A pain management provider for more than 40 years, Dr. Cooney was one of the first Calmare-Certified providers of scrambler therapy, a non-invasive, painless, drug-free and side-effect-free treatment to lessen or eliminate medication and treatment-resistant neuropathy.

Dr. Cooney has treated more than 1,000 patients from as far away as South Africa, Australia, South America, Africa, and Western Europe.

“I introduced scrambler therapy in 2011 to help my chronic pain patients who did not experience pain relief after medication or other therapies,” Dr. Cooney explains. “As healthcare providers, we must find a way to help those with treatment-resistant pain.”

What is Calmare Therapy?

Scrambler therapy uses a biophysical (using physical methods to treat biological problems) rather than a biochemical (drugs) approach.

The brain’s reaction to chronic pain can be compared to learning to play the piano or memorizing a poem − the more the body “practices” processing pain, the stronger the connections between pain nerves and the brain become.

The scrambler therapy device tells the brain to stop sending a pain signal

When someone is injured, the brain sets up a process to heal the injury. For example, cells carry away dead tissue or it increases blood flow to the area.

Eventually, the brain realizes the injury has healed and it cuts off the pain message.

But for some people, the brain never sends that pivotal message saying,

“There’s no more injury here so you can stop the pain signal.”

That’s where the scrambler device comes in. Using several small electrodes (think an EKG) carefully placed in the region of the injury, the technology sends a mild “no pain” message to the brain through the electrodes.

Essentially, the scrambler machine “overrides” the brain’s confused message and corrects it to the ‘no pain here” message.


A treatment, from start to finish, lasts about 35 minutes. For most patients with diagnosed neuropathy, 10 treatments are required, once per day.

In the majority of cases, by the end of the 10-treatment cycle, there is no more pain signal emanating from the brain, resulting in a very significant reduction in pain level.

Our warmest congratulations to Dr. Cooney and our sincere thanks to the International Pain Foundation (iPain) and the Calmare patients who nominates the doctor. This is an incredible honor for him.

Meet some of the pain warriors we have treated over the years and feel free to reach out to us at (201) 933-4440.

 

 

 

Featured post
1

Calmare NJ USA has Re-Opened!

May 19, 2020

Calmare pain therapy is now open after COVID-19

We are delighted to announce we have re-opened our Calmare clinic here in NJ after implementing several new safety and social distancing precautions:

Dr. Michael Cooney, Clinical Director
  • Dr. Cooney is undergoing regular COVID testing.
  • The doctor and all patients have their temperatures taken before every treatment.
  • We are treating patients one-at-a-time only.
  • Unless patients are mobility-challenged, we ask that family/friends remain outside the clinic.
  • Clear partitions installed between patients/administrative staff.
  • Socially-distanced seating in waiting room.
  • Everyone, including patients, wearing masks and gloves at all times.
  • Continuous deep-sanitizing before and after every patient.
  • Hand sanitizer available in every room and at clinic entrance/exit.

New Calmare Patients

If you are interested in pursuing Calmare Therapy for chronic nerve pain, please reach out to schedule your no-fee phone or video consultation with Dr. Cooney by calling (201) 933-4440 or email us at info@calmaretherapynj.com.

Calmare scrambler therapy is not right for everyone and we will not recommend this therapy for you if the doctor does not feel there is a strong possibility for significant pain relief, elimination of pain, markedly improved mobility or a significant improvement in quality of life.

Calmare is a Provider-Dependent Therapy – Know Your Provider!

Booster Treatments

We are now booking patients seeking one or more booster treatments beginning in June.

Depending on the severity of the original neuropathic pain condition, and the length of time the patient has been experiencing chronic pain, periodic booster treatments may be required to reduce any return of pain.

While some Calmare patients never require further treatment, some patients benefit from booster therapy as needed.

Feel free to speak with Dr. Cooney if you have experienced a resumption of pain to discuss next steps.

Meet other people like you who have undergone Calmare Therapy in NJ

Previously Scheduled Patients

We are individually contacting patients and families that we were unable to treat due to the onset of the novel coronavirus in March. If you have not received a call to schedule your therapy for a future date, please call our team at (201) 933-4440.

Note that we are offering priority dates to previously confirmed patients and those traveling from outside the US.

Travel and Lodging Arrangements

calmare hotel arrangementsFor patients traveling outside the metro New York City area, please check with your preferred hotel and ensure they are fully operational to meet your needs.

Calmare Therapy Recommended Lodging

We thank you for weathering the COVID-19 storm with us, but pain waits for no one.

With care and a focus on patient safety, we could not be more elated to get back to the work we do.

Our war on medication and treatment-resident neuropathy is back on.

Wishing you a low-pain day.

 

 

Featured post
0

Free Virtual Pain Management Consults with Dr. Michael Cooney

March 31, 2020

Dr. Cooney specializes in alternative therapies to help people with medication- and treatment-resistant chronic nerve pain.

During our global confinement due to COVID-19, the healthcare community must nonetheless reach out to the community to offer guidance, advice and support.

Calmare Therapy NJ USA is continuing the fight against chronic pain.

Beginning Wednesday, April 1, 2020, Dr. Michael J. Cooney, clinical director at Calmare NJ (est. 2011) and a chiropractor with more than 40 years of clinical pain management expertise, will offer virtual, no-fee consultations with people batting treatment and medication-resident neuropathic pain around the world.

The doctor will be available to answer questions and suggest non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical alternative options to help lessen chronic nerve pain, based upon the information provided by the caller.

“During this unprecedented time, I am happy to use my expertise to offer non-invasive, drug-free pain management options for parents of children and teens, as well as adults and seniors with diagnosed neuropathy,” says Dr. Cooney.

He will also answer questions about the viability of Calmare scrambler therapy to people with chronic pain and make Patient-2-Patient referrals upon request.

Since Calmare NJ USA treats patients from around the world, international consultations are also welcomed (English only).

How to schedule your live consultation with Dr. Michael Cooney

Consultations are every Wednesday from 1 to 3 pm EDT (New York/USA) beginning April 1, 2020.

Length of consultation

20 minutes (average) in order to accommodate as many callers as possible.

Scheduling

Please email info@calmaretherapynj.com to reserve your requested date and specify your preferred time.

Please feel free to offer any helpful background about your medical history and any specific questions you may have. This is not required, but will help Dr. Cooney to optimally prepare for your discussion.

Virtual Consultation Dial-In Information

  • Cooney will accept your incoming call via the Facetime, WhatsApp or direct phone dial-in.
  • We will provide the number you should call when your consultation is confirmed, based upon which communication option you prefer.
  • NOTE: You will direct-dial to Dr. Cooney; he will not contact you.

For questions, please call the clinic at (201) 933-4440 or email us at info@calmaretherapynj.com.

Featured post
0

Update and Support from Calmare Therapy NJ USA

March 20, 2020

“He knows not his own strength who hath not met adversity.”

William Samuel Johnson

By Dr. Michael Cooney, Clinical Director

As we grapple with COVID-19’s siege on our lives and our health, I wanted to touch base and offer an update from New Jersey:

We are treating patients, new and those seeking booster treatments, on an individual basis, with no overlap from other patients in the office.

Immediately after a patient has received scrambler therapy, we use the next appointment time to thoroughly sanitize our treatment rooms and public spaces, from the front doorknob to the check-in desk and everywhere in between.

When possible, we ask that the patient’s family or friends do not enter the clinic, but wait in the car.

So far, so good.

For people who wish to re-schedule upcoming Calmare Therapy treatments, please reach out as quickly as possible to give us ample time to fill your slot.

Due to the additional time required to clean our clinic between patients, 50% fewer appointments are currently available.

I want to share some valuable content from our longtime friends and partners on dealing with the coronavirus while living with CRPS.

We encourage you to bookmark BN and check back for more of their specialized content.

Burning Nights CRPS https://www.burningnightscrps.org/

Victoria, founder of Burning Nights, and her husband, visited our clinic for a wonderful visit in 2018.

Burning Nights CRPS founder, Victoria Abbott-Fleming, headquartered in the UK, battled CRPS after a car accident in 2003. She is now a global figurehead providing objective information and resources about CRPS.

She and her organization are also strong supporters of alternative pain management therapies, like Calmare scrambler therapy, to treat chronic nerve pain and the physical symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome.

Burning Nights latest post:

Understanding COVID-19 and Its Effect on CRPS

During this scary time, know that I am here to offer any advice or guidance to anyone in the chronic pain community. Just call the clinic at (201) 933-4440 or email me at info@calmaretherapynj.com for a prompt response.

To get the latest information on coronavirus, including tips for prevention and symptoms to look for, visit the CDC website, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

I hope and pray that you and your loved ones are safe and sound.

We shall overcome, together.

 

Featured post
1

Can Eating Chocolate Reduce Inflammation and Chronic Nerve Pain?

By Dr. Michael Cooney, Clinical Director

dark chocolate lessens chronic pain
Can eating dark chocolate really reduce chronic pain?

Our Calmare Therapy NJ USA team fully supports combating chronic nerve pain without the use of medications, injections, surgery or other invasive pain management options.

It should come as no surprise, then, that we also support nutritional strategies to help reduce inflammation and resulting pain.

Many medicines are derived from plants, so eating plant-based foods only makes good sense to promote overall health.

For example, tomatoes promote heart health and spinach and other vegetables help offset several types of cancer.

And most pain sufferers know that cutting dairy, wheat, sugar or alcohol can decrease allergies, acid reflux and inflammation, ultimately improving overall well-being—including pain levels.

A sweet way to reduce pain

In addition, everyone’s favorite sweet treat, chocolate, has also been shown to help reduce pain.

But not all chocolate is the same.

Dark chocolate and cocoa have significantly higher flavanol levels, while milk chocolate and white chocolate have much lower levels.

Cocoa, the active ingredient in chocolate, provides a host of anti-inflammatory health benefits, from mood-lifting to antioxidants galore.

In addition to reducing swelling, dark chocolate also improves blood flow, which can also decrease pain.

Dark chocolate benefits

eat chocolate to lessen chronic nerve pain

The main active ingredient to create chocolate is cacao, derived from trees (again, plant-based). It has been scientifically proven to:

  • Increase the body’s natural opiates (endorphins)
  • Fire the brain’s cannabis receptors
  • Increase serotonin levels
  • Release the body’s natural amphetamine, phenylethylamine, better known as the “love drug”
  • Releases anandamide (aka the “bliss molecule”)
  • Contains tryptophan, the same chemical found in turkey, which makes you relaxed, even sleepy

Keep in mind, when shopping for dark chocolate for pain relief, the higher the cocoa content, the better.

Therefore, I’d skip the Dollar Store when shopping for medicinal chocolate products.

For the best results, choose a brand with at least 65 percent cocoa.

Fibromyalgia and Chocolate: What New Research Says About Health Benefits

Finally, dark chocolate doesn’t have the super-sweet and creamy flavor of typical milk chocolate, so it may take some taste bud adjustment when you first start to eat it.

Be creative, add it to your steamed milk or coffee; add it to a favorite recipe.

Limit yourself to three ounces a day, and look for chocolate with the lowest fat content you can find.

When a loved one asks what you’d like for Valentine’s Day this year, tell them you’d love some high-quality dark chocolate—doctor’s orders!

 

Dr. Michael Cooney is one of six Calmare-certified providers of scrambler therapy in the U.S. Since 2011, he has specialized in treating patients battling severe neuropathy as a result of fibromyalgia, CRPS / RSD, diabetes, shingles, post-surgical pain and pain after chemotherapy (CIPN).

To learn more, call 201-933-4440 or email us at info@calmaretherapynj.com.

Featured post
1

New CRPS Book Features Calmare Therapy and Dr. Michael Cooney

January 29, 2020

CRPS book features calmare therapy

Our clinical director, Dr. Michael Cooney, who has successfully treated hundreds of people living with CRPS since 2011 using Calmare scrambler therapy, is featured in a new book on the topic,

COMPLEX REGIONAL PAIN SYNDROME (CRPS): PATIENTS’ PERSPECTIVE OF LIVING IN CHRONIC PAIN.

The book is co-written by pain management physician specialist Dr. Alaa Abd-Elsayed and Eric M. Phillips, president of the International RSD Foundation.

One of our teen patients, Austin, is featured. His parents describe his significant pain relief (and leg lesion healing) after Calmare Therapy and booster treatments:

CRPS book features Dr. Michael Cooney

Teen Football Star Finds CRPS Pain Relief After Calmare Therapy

We are grateful to Austin’s family, who volunteered to share their family’s story and Austin’s positive outcome after Calmare Therapy.

Austin did return months later for three scrambler therapy booster treatments, which may be necessary for more severe or prolonged cases of chronic nerve pain.

He shared an update from the mountains (where he was snowboarding!) in February 2019:

Teenager Snowboards By for a Post-Calmare Scrambler Therapy Update

Austin and Dr. Michael Cooney celebrate his success after undergoing Calmare scrambler for CRPS.

“I was honored to be included in a truly comprehensive book about the challenges faced by so many courageous people around the world living with CRPS,” says Dr. Cooney.

“It is vitally important that sufferers understand that drugs and invasive procedures are not the only way to reduce pain from this disease.”

CRPS book features calmare therapy

Scrambler Therapy: Drug-Free, Non-Invasive Pain Management for Chronic Nerve Pain

Dr. Michael Cooney treats people with pain with a refreshingly personal approach–he talks to you before you ever step foot into our New Jersey clinic.

Calmare Therapy, cleared by the FDA more than a decade ago, is not right for everyone suffering from CRPS or other conditions resulting in chronic nerve pain.

If you are able to travel to our clinic, located in New Jersey, USA, 15 minutes outside New York City, we invite you to complete the Consult Request form below.

Dr. Cooney will personally contact you by phone within 48 hours of receipt of your message (USA and Canada only); if you are are from outside the USA/Canada, we will be happy to pre-schedule a video chat consultation.

There is no fee for this consultation and no time limit.

 

Featured post
0

Dr. Michael Cooney Explains Calmare Scrambler Therapy on Mind Body Radio

January 13, 2020

Click to listen to the interview (January 2, 2020)

I was honored to be interviewed by Chris Sawyer on Mind Body Radio recently, discussing the merits of drug-free Calmare therapy.

Listen to the Mind Body Radio interview with Dr. Cooney here

What You Won’t Get with Calmare Therapy

Chris asked me all the right questions about scrambler therapy and we hope it highlights that pain management can be achieved without the use of:

  • medication
  • surgery
  • needles
  • invasive procedures

 

What is Calmare Therapy?

Is scrambler therapy right for my chronic nerve pain condition?

Calmare Therapy NJ USA Treats Chronic Pain Differently

The pain management crisis in healthcare has affected all of us.

We introduced Calmare Therapy at our New Jersey medical practice in 2011 precisely because pain medications and painful treatments don’t help many people relieve their neuropathies.

Free Consultation with Calmare’s Medical Director

If you are able to travel to New Jersey, USA, and would like to speak to me personally about your case, please reach out to our clinic at (201) 933-4440, email us at info@calmaretherapynj.com or complete the eCard below, and I’ll contact you by phone (or video chat if you are from outside the US).

I will reach out to you within 48 hours (not 48 days).

Wishing you a low-pain day,

Dr. Cooney

 Calmare Therapy NJ USA eCard

 

Featured post
0

Managing Dental Care When You Have Chronic Pain

December 30, 2019

Dental care and treatment can be stressful to people living with chronic pain.

More than 75 percent of the chronic pain patients we have treated also suffer from chronic dental issues.

People with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) require the highest levels of specialized dental care due to the highly sensitive nature of their conditions.

Certainly, no one is looking to add to your pain.  But maintaining dental hygiene now, even with some discomfort, can offset the possibility of far more pain down the line, should tooth decay set in.

I sought out the advice of a local dentist who specializes in treating patients with chronic pain and asked him for advice:

Won’t dental visits cause me more pain?

Regular dental check-up and cleaning visits are the same as the need for a general overall check-up with your primary care doctor every year; if you don’t do it, any potential issues will have ample time to grow and become more serious (and more complicated to treat) after the issue is finally diagnosed.

Do the due diligence beforehand; seek out a dentist who treats patients with chronic nerve pain and understands your special issues.

Once you’ve found one, ask about specific tools to help minimize and control pain, dental or otherwise, before, during and after treatment.

If your search is unsuccessful, let the person scheduling your appointment know you suffer from chronic nerve pain in advance and remind the staff to chart this important fact again when you arrive.

When the dentist or dental hygienist arrives to begin your treatment, first have a conversation about your neuropathy and ask what special considerations they will make for you.

Be sure that you mutually understand a predetermined signal that you are uncomfortable or in pain.

Medication damage to teeth and gums

One of the unfortunate byproducts of chronic pain management is the common use of medications.

These medications commonly contribute to dry mouth, and without adequate saliva, tooth decay and gum disease are more likely to flourish.

This dry mouth condition is called xerostomia and it has major dental consequences such as:

  • Interference with normal swallowing patterns
  • Taste alterations (dysgeusia)
  • Interference with speech
  • Inability to maintain oral tissue integrity
  • Mucositis (chronic mouth irritation and inflammation)
  • Dental decay
  • Erosion

To combat this condition, keep hydrated by sipping water throughout the day, chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless hard candy.

You may also wish to use a moisturizing mouth spray, which your dentist can provide.

Oral Health: The Mouth-Body Connection (Web MD)

Periodontal Disease

Over time, gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets that often become infected. The body’s immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line.

Bacterial toxins and the body’s natural response to infection start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place.

If not treated, the bones, gums and tissue that supports the teeth are destroyed, requiring extraction of the diseased teeth.

Extractions

Understandably, people with chronic pain avoid potential pain triggers, including dental visits.

So when tooth or gum pain or sensitivity presents, it is often in the latter stages of decay when the tooth cannot be salvaged.

The unfortunate result is the need to remove the diseased tooth.

The best defense is a good offense

In the comfort of your home, brush teeth a minimum of twice daily and floss. (Yes, we know it’s gross, but isn’t it better to get that stuff out of your mouth and into the garbage?)

Give your tongue a good brushing as well to remove bacteria that leads to plaque and chronic bad breath.

Twice-yearly tooth cleanings and exams are necessary to prevent and offset any issues before they become more serious and requiring more invasive treatment.

Talk with your treating physician before your visit to determine any special protocol or medication requirements needed.

Be sure that your doctor and dentist are in touch to fully understand the nature of your care needs.

After your cleaning or dental treatment, allow extra time to rest and recover.

Eat soft food for a few days and avoid foods (meats, popcorn, hard candy) that can potentially become lodged in those clean and disease-free pearly whites!

Prevention of dental disease may very well pay off in good overall health, allowing your immune system to perform at its optimal level.

While, admittedly, it’s not pleasant, it is nonetheless well worth the effort in the long run.

Dr. Michael Cooney is one of 7 certified providers of Calmare scrambler therapy in the U.S. He specializes in treating patients battling severe neuropathy as a result of fibromyalgia, CRPS / RSD, diabetes, shingles, post-surgical pain and pain after chemotherapy. To learn more, call 201-933-4440.

 

Featured post
2

Great Week to Talk with Dr. Cooney!

December 23, 2019

Dr. Cooney at Calmare personally consults with every potential scrambler therapy patient.
Dr. Michael Cooney at Calmare Therapy NJ USA personally consults with every potential scrambler therapy patient.

Good Morning and Happy Holidays!

With the exception of a few booster treatment appointments, the clinic is not starting therapy for new chronic pain treatment patients this week.

With that said, I have more time to speak with potential patients for 2020.

Please feel free to call in at 201.933.4440 and I’ll be happy to reach out.

Dr. Michael Cooney, Clinical Director

Featured post
0

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑

%d bloggers like this: