What is Scrambler Therapy?

Scrambler Therapy also known as Calmare (from the Italian word meaning “to soothe or ease”) is a gentle, non-invasive, drug-free treatment developed in Italy by Professor Giuseppe Marineo over 20 years ago. It was designed specifically for people experiencing persistent pain that hasn’t responded well to conventional approaches. 

It is a form of neuromodulation: a technique that helps ‘retrain’ how the nervous system processes pain signals.

In simple terms, our brain acts as a control centre, interpreting countless messages from our body. After an injury, the brain may interpret these signals as pain to protect us from further harm. But in chronic pain, the nervous system can remain ‘stuck’, continuing to generate pain messages even when no injury remains. This can become exhausting and disabling.

Scrambler Therapy gently intervenes in this cycle. Using small electrodes placed on the skin near the painful area, it sends reassuring ‘non-danger’ information along the same nerve pathways that have been carrying persistent pain messages, helping to retrain the brain and restore a more normal ‘pain-free’ message.

How Scrambler Therapy Works:

During treatment, small electrodes (similar to sticky pads) are gently placed on healthy skin near, but not directly on, the area of pain. The patient sits comfortably in a chair throughout the session. No needles, sedation or medication are required.

Once the electrodes are positioned, the device delivers subtle, low-level electrical signals that feel pleasant and soothing. Initially, you may notice a very mild pinch, bite or prickly sensation as the stimulation is first adjusted. This quickly shifts to a more comfortable feeling; often described as a gentle vibration, soft buzzing, pulsing or humming. Many people find the sessions relaxing and often feel calm or pleasantly relaxed during treatment.

Each session typically lasts about 40 minutes, plus a little extra time for careful placement and fine-tuning of the electrode positions to ensure you remain comfortable throughout. The intensity is adjusted to a level that is effective but still comfortable, and your feedback guides this process.

A standard treatment plan involves 10 sessions, ideally given on 10 consecutive weekdays for best results. Some people begin to notice pain relief within the first few treatments, while others experience gradual improvements over the full course.

Contraindications to Scrambler Therapy:

Scrambler Therapy is generally very safe and well-tolerated, but it may not be suitable for everyone. There are certain medical conditions and circumstances where this treatment is either not recommended or requires careful consideration.

Patients with any of the following may not be suitable for Scrambler Therapy:

  • Implanted devices such as pacemakers, aneurysm clips, vena cava clips, or skull plates

  • A history of significant brain injury

  • A recent heart attack (myocardial infarction)

  • Epilepsy that is actively being treated

  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding

  • Unstable or untreated mental health conditions

Additionally, patients with implanted spinal or peripheral nerve stimulators may need to have these devices switched off for several weeks before starting Scrambler Therapy. This will be discussed in detail with each patient to ensure safety and suitability.

Before any treatment begins, we conduct a thorough assessment of your medical history and current health to determine whether Scrambler Therapy is appropriate for you and to ensure that any potential risks are carefully managed.

Limits of Scrambler Therapy:

While Scrambler Therapy has helped many people find meaningful relief from persistent pain, it is important to understand its limitations. Scrambler Therapy does not cure the underlying cause of nerve pain or reverse existing nerve damage. It aims to retrain how the nervous system processes pain signals rather than eliminating the source of the pain entirely.

Pain relief may not be permanent for everyone. For many people, the reduction in pain can last for weeks, months or sometimes longer; but most pain will gradually return at some point. When this happens, booster treatments can help restore comfort. Typically, a short course of 2–5 additional sessions is enough to regain the benefit experienced after the initial treatment series.

Because pain is complex, Scrambler Therapy works best as part of a broader, well-rounded pain management plan. This may include pain education, physical activity, medication adjustments, psychological support and self-management strategies; all aimed at helping you regain function and confidence in daily life.

Individualised Pain Management:

Scrambler Therapy is often recommended when standard treatments such as medications, injections or physiotherapy have not provided enough relief or are causing side effects. It is a complementary tool within a modern, multi-modal approach to pain care, focusing on reducing pain sensitivity and supporting your ability to move, sleep and live well.

At Scrambler Therapeutics, we work closely with you and, if you wish, with your other healthcare providers, to ensure this therapy fits safely and appropriately into your personalised care plan.

A careful assessment is always done before starting treatment to ensure Scrambler Therapy is safe, appropriate and tailored to your individual needs.

Pain Conditions Suitable for Scrambler Therapy:

Scrambler Therapy may be helpful for people living with certain types of chronic neuropathic or nerve-related pain, especially when standard treatments have not provided enough relief or have caused unwanted side effects. People who describe their pain as burning, tingling, sharp, shooting or electric shock-like are often the best candidates.

Conditions that may benefit include:

  • Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) — nerve pain, tingling or numbness that develops after some cancer treatments

  • Chronic Cancer Pain — ongoing pain related to cancer or its treatment, particularly when nerves are involved

  • Post-surgical Neuropathic Pain — nerve pain that continues long after surgery wounds have healed

  • Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN) — nerve pain that can persist after shingles

  • Phantom Limb Pain — pain felt in a limb that has been amputated

  • Brachial Plexus Neuropathy — nerve pain involving the network of nerves in the shoulder and arm

  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) — severe, persistent nerve pain often accompanied by swelling and skin changes

  • Other types of chronic neuropathic pain — where the main driver is nerve dysfunction rather than inflammation or mechanical injury alone

A careful assessment is always done before starting treatment to ensure Scrambler Therapy is safe, appropriate and tailored to your individual needs.

Side Effects of Scrambler Therapy:

One of the reasons Scrambler Therapy is valued by patients and clinicians alike is its excellent safety profile. Unlike many pain medications or invasive procedures, Scrambler Therapy is gentle, drug-free and non-surgical. Current research and clinical practice consistently show that side effects are very rare and usually mild if they occur at all.

Some people may notice temporary skin redness where the electrodes are placed or a slight tingling for a short time after treatment — these effects typically resolve on their own. There is no sedation or downtime needed, and people can return to normal activities straight after each session. 

Scrambler Therapy Costs

  • 10 sessions over 2 weeks (weekday treatment with a weekend break)

    Includes:

    • Daily pain mapping and tailored treatment

    • 10 consecutive weekday sessions (approx. 60 minutes each)

    • Ongoing support and review of progress

  • Single maintenance session (as clinically indicated)

    Booster sessions are available for people who have previously completed an initial course of Scrambler Therapy and may be experiencing a return of symptoms. These are offered based on individual need and clinical recommendation.

Payments & Bookings

  • A 50% deposit is required to secure your Scrambler Therapy booking

  • Remaining balance is due prior to your first treatment session

  • Payment is accepted via electronic funds transfer (EFT)

Account Name: Nightingale Solutions Pty Ltd
BSB: 082-276
Account Number: 260074209

Please use your surname as the reference and email proof of payment to: info@scramblertherapeutics.com.au