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A robot is now offering migraine treatment … a robotic arm, that is. Engineer and therapist Al Meilus has developed a robotic arm that he says can help with all kinds of medical problems, including migraine.
The concept is not really new, just a little more high tech. Meilus talks about "lengthening muscles", which really has to do with relaxing them or "getting the knots out" - a technique used in many muscle therapies, particularly those targeting trigger points (more on that in this month’s issue of HeadWay).
The difference here is that a robotic arm does the work. He explains:
It’s like the Sunshine Skyway cable. Shorten one cable three feet, and the whole system is off somewhere… find that cable, lengthen that cable, you get the relief. The robot breaks up adhesions and lengthens the muscle.
Meilus started into therapy after dealing with chronic illness that had disabled him. After an injury he was unable to practise for a time, and began to develop the "robotic therapists".
Has anyone tried the robot method? I tend to think that something is lost without the intuitive touch of a trained therapist. On the other hand, a robotic arm can certainly provide accuracy, strength and consistency that a human may not be able to match. It uses a computer to calculate exactly where muscles are tight and what to do about it.
The "Therbo Robots" have been used by professional athletes and others with chronic pain. Migraine and back pain patients are the most common user of the robotic arm. Find out more at Al Meilus’ website
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Kristi 08.26.08 at 3:31 pm
I have never heard of this treatment before, but I would give anything a chance when it comes to migraine relief.
Ava Semerau 08.26.08 at 8:41 pm
Fascinating stuff. I’m with you, however, in questioning the lack of “intuitive touch” inherent in a robotic therapist. Isn’t half the benefit accomplished by the human touch?
Good post and great title!
Ava Semerau
And God Was Pleased: Biblical Principles for Creating Christian Success
jen 08.27.08 at 12:15 am
I’m with Kristi. If this treatment could give me migraine relief then I’m all for it.
James 08.27.08 at 5:48 am
Thanks for the comments. Maybe I’m slightly more open to the idea than when I first wrote.
Though I still think human touch is important, there is an advantage to the the “investigation” a computer can do. I would be interested to know more, however, about how human diagnosis fits in with the treatment.