Interview with Dr. Ray Varlinsky, MFT

Interview with Dr. Ray Varlinsky, MFT 

Issue #2 June 2010 

Editor of the Alpha-Wave Monthly, Ian Stenlund, contacted Ray Varlinsky for this month’s issue. Ray is a marriage and couples counselor based in Paradise, California. He discovered micro-current therapy while working in a neuropathy clinic and has been using the Alpha-Stim for over 20 years in his practice. Varlinsky has also found good results using the Alpha-Stim 100 in his own home, treating himself as well as his family (including their dog!).

Ian: “Hi, Ray. Before I ask any questions, tell me a little about your experience with the Alpha-Stim.”

Ray: “Well, I just had a client this afternoon who was really distressed, in tears, and I had her wear the ear clips right away, and by the end of the Alpha-Stim treatment she said, “that makes such a difference in helping me deal with things.”  It helps people to process and deal with anxiety and stress.”

Ian: “When and how did you hear about the Alpha Stim?”

Ray: “I used the Electro-acuscope first, another micro-current device, but I got the Alpha-Stim 100 when the first it came out.  The Alpha-Stim opened up portability and usability. Now I market the 100 myself.”

Ian: “Were you skeptical at first? or did you understand how micro-current technology can be used as a therapy?”

Ray: “I had been using TENS, so I was familiar with using electro-stimulation for chronic pain.  I wasn’t skeptical because Harley Sheer, a colleague of mine at the neuropathy clinic, was using it for low back pain and surgeries.  The referrals he received were from doctors who gave up on patients not responding to traditional therapy.”

Ian: “The March issue of Alpha-Wave Monthly featured an article on the latest study on anti-depressants, which concluded that placebos were just as effective as anti-depressants for patients with mild to moderate symptoms. From your experience, do you find this to be true?”

Ray: “There was an article in Newsweek February 9^th I think, written by Irving Kirsch (no relation to Dan Kirsch, inventor of the Alpha-Stim). It was a meta-analysis of the studies on anti-depressants submitted to the FDA. [His findings showed that] anti-depressants are not as effective as we would want them to be.

I hated to put my patients on anti-depressants because of the side effects – and people only get prescribed new ones when their current brand stops working. Anti-depressants don’t cure depression. People’s belief [in a treatment] tends to wan, and the placebo effect starts to not work.

One of the greatest things about the Alpha-Stim is that the body does not acclimate to the good feeling effect.”

Ian: “How is Alpha-Stim better than placebo?”

Ray: “It has some placebo effect, around 35%. There is always going to be some belief attached to treatment, which is good.

But the side effects of the Alpha-Stim are good. Also, if you are using Alpha-Stim and stop, you are not going to have any of the negative side-effects that a person taking anti-depressants experiences.”

Ian: “Does this device work as augmentation to other therapies in your practice or as a stand alone therapy?”

Ray: “I use it in conjunction with other therapies.

People can use it as stand alone though. Having some kind of practice like mediation, praying, or visualization is always helpful. Self help is good as a foundation, but other tools can help with day-to-day depression, anxiety, and insomnia.

Being able to address underlying issues is the key. Anxiety is blocking the underlying issues, so if they can put on the Alpha-Stim and calm down, they are more able to deal with the big issues. Once they’ve dealt with these issues, they can use the Alpha-Stim off and on.

I’ve seen bi-polar patients cut back on medication by a third, which is easier on the body”

Ian: “If you don’t mind me asking, Do you use the Alpha-Stim for personal treatments? And if yes, please tell me some of your experience and/or results.”

Ray: “I use it for anxiety, which is part of my family history.

It works for my wife’s insomnia. The treatment she has found most useful is not regular protocol. If she wakes up at 2:00 a.m., she puts it on and falls back to sleep. If I have a difficult time sleeping, I use it too.

I also use it on my dog, who has separation anxiety. He likes it.

The value of the Alpha-Stim is that it’s safe, and the counter-indications are minor. The family can use it; the pet can use it; it manages pain; it controls stress – and we are going through stressful times. The family can use it with safety, without fear of side effects and harm.

My daughter uses it for her migraines. She used it when pregnant, which is not recommended by the Alpha-Stim company, but it worked very well. I do not suggest use of the Alpha-Stim for people who are pregnant because of the legality issues, but my daughter and other woman have done their own research and decided to use it.

Even if you don’t have anxiety or depression, it can help with general day-to-day stress for anybody.”