One of the least utilized, but powerful tools in modern medicine is the Light Box. It has been most well studied for seasonal depression, but It can help with any condition where regulating sleep cycle is a part of the treatment. What melatonin does for telling your brain that the end of the day is coming, Sunlight Therapy does for telling the brain that day has arrived.
This is my favorite light therapy tool. Other boxes can be difficult to place, bulky, and I can’t be sure that the cheaper ones give the appropriate brightness and frequencies. These glasses are easy to use, completely foolproof, and my patients tell me they work great no matter how strange they look.
There are many other options that range in price and can be purchased through various avenues. If you are looking for another type of light box, make sure it is 10,000 Lux or more.
Monitoring your routine can be very difficult, but some modern tools make it easier. Below are/will be links to devices that my patients have found helpful in tracking their sleep, their heart rate, and other measures for overall health. There are a lot of devices out there, but I will only put ones here that have the best data behind them (and that my patients like).
Everyone knows about fit bit by now. However, until recently it only had a few functions that helped monitor health. The newest versions, however, measure the most important functions including sleep.
Nothing replaces a cardiology evaluation and a prescribed device to determine the heart’s electrical activity. However, if you have spells like dizziness, panic, or fainting that could be the heart, and they happen rarely, a wearable monitor from the doctor may not catch it. With this little pocket device, you can record the electrical activity when you have the symptoms and bring the data to your doctor.
WARNING!!! The following devices are all safe and effective BUT should be used under the direction of someone with experience in neuromodulation.
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation has been under active research for decades, but still remains “off label” and devices are typically bought directly by patients. It is a procedure where patients can attach electrodes to various places on the head and short sessions have been shown to improve migraine, chronic body pain, fatigue, forgetfulness, and depression symptoms. While patient autonomy is key, understanding the risks and benefits of the procedure, and proper placement for various effects is complex and the literature is evolving. I recommend the Capturon ActivaDose device because it can be set at various strengths studied and pads can be moved to different locations which have different effects for different conditions. It is probably safe to use alone, but there have been patients who suffered temporary severe side effects, and even severe mood complications from not using it properly. Click here to find the device options, but strongly consider a Consult to discuss the risks/benefits, which device strength to get, and proper placement for your particular symptoms.
The Vagus Nerve is one of the most important nerves when considering many symptoms in the body and mind. It connects the brain to the major organs of the body and is involved in all autonomic functions (blood pressure, heart rate, temperature) as well as pain and fatigue processing. Stimulation of the Vagus nerve by different mechanisms can abort panic attacks, migraines, and even Epileptic seizures as well as to improve sleep, meditation, and relaxing exercise. While there are many devices on the market, and even surgically implanted options, there are also some cheaper options that have good data behind their use, and don’t require a prescription. One Hand Held option, placed at the neck and one Worn Option with ear buds are very reasonable options where patients have told me they have greatly benefited. These may be safe to try on your own, but if you have concerns about frequency and placement, or specific symptoms that may or may not respond, request a Consult today.