Neurostimulation therapy treatment, also called spinal cord stimulation, is the safe delivery of low voltage electricity to the dorsal column or peripheral nerves. The implantable stimulator device inhibits pain signals before they reach the brain and replaces them with a soothing, tingling sensation (called paresthesia) that covers the specific area where pain is felt.
Neurostimulation therapy is an implantable, reversible system that allows patients to control their level stimulation with a handheld device. Neurostimulation therapy is a simple outpatient procedure and is first done on a trial basis, where a patient tries the device for three to seven days to see if they are happy with the results. If the device successfully reduces their pain, the neurostimulator is implanted permanently and can be removed at any time with no harm.
Advanced Pain Management offers various neurostimulation therapy devices, including Boston Scientific, Medtronic, Nevro and St. Jude.
Benefits of Neurostimulation Therapy Treatment:
- Replaces pain signals with a soothing, tingling sensation (paresthesia)
- Reversible trial is completed for three to seven days to determine effectiveness of therapy
- Outpatient procedure with little recovery time
- Ability to sit, walk and stand for longer periods
- Reversible system can be removed at any time
- Reduces need for oral medications
- Patient-controlled programming allows for customized pain relief
New Advances in Neurostimulation Technology
Nevro HF10 Therapy
Nevro’s new stimulator device has been found to be even more effective than traditional SCS for the treatment of back and leg pain. This state-of-the-art therapy provides pain relief without paresthesia, the tingling/buzzing sensation that previous devices utilize. It’s also free of unexpected shocks and can be used while driving and sleeping.
Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation
In 2016, Advanced Pain Management became the first company in Wisconsin to begin offering a new type of neurostimulator therapy device called a dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulator. This device, made by St. Jude Medical, is indicated for lower extremity pain and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS, formerly reflex sympathetic dystrophy). It’s able to effectively stimulate the neurons that cause CRPS and other neuropathic pain conditions, meaning better, more targeted pain relief. It also boasts reduced (or eliminated) levels of paresthesia. About 1/3 of patients have at least 80% relief with no paresthesia at all, and of the patients that do experience paresthesia, nearly all of them do not experience it outside of their primary area of pain.
