Chronic pain, as the name suggests, is a long term result caused by conditions such as arthritis, neck pain, and cancer. It’s one of the most common reasons an adult would seek medical care today, as chronic pain can affect their everyday lives. Going to the grocery store, talking to a friend, or even sitting down to read are all seemingly mundane tasks that chronic pain can turn into nightmares. There are numerous descriptions as to what the pain feels like, but symptoms often include aching, stinging, throbbing, and even burning feelings in the body. Unfortunately, these afflictions frequently lead to conditions such as anxiety or depression.
Some solutions to chronic pain include treatments like psychotherapy or even surgery. However, some people may not wish to undergo these intense sessions, and may instead choose another option: Neurostimulation.
Neurostimulation is a medical technique involving magnetic, electric, and ultrasound signals to modify the activity of the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is responsible for sending various pieces of information from your body all the way to your brain. The brain, in response, formulates commands to be sent out once more to the rest of your body in order to perform physical tasks.
Some of these signals within the PNS include pain signals. They are the reason we feel aching, stinging, or throbbing when we are hurt or injured. Neurostimulation indirectly interferes with pain signals’ pathways so that they never reach the brain. In other cases, neurostimulation can also generate endorphins, which are natural painkillers for our body. They not only treat chronic pain, but other issues as well, such as primary headaches and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). So how do doctors produce these miracle results in the first place? Here are a few neurostimulation techniques they use:
Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)
The physician embeds electrodes near your spinal cord. These tiny electrodes send out electric pulses that block or mask pain signals. They can also treat other conditions such as diabetic neuropathy.
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS)
Electrodes are planted near the peripheral nerve system. Stimulating nerve activity there using electric impulses results in pain relief.
Magnetic Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (mPNS)
This technique is conducted without surgery, with the average pain relief going up to 87%. Brief, concentrated magnetic pulses are sent out to non-intrusively stimulate peripheral nerves using a magnetic stimulator system. This is why it’s utilized in providing chronic relief for patients (18 years or older) suffering from post-traumatic and/or post-surgical pain.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
The physician applies a magnetic coil to the patient’s scalp that once again delivers magnetic pulses. This time, however, the pulses are sent out to the patient’s brain to instigate electrical currents. It delivers high-frequency stimulation by modifying the brain’s activity and pain perception. This treatment is optimal for issues like migraines and fibromyalgia (another chronic disorder).
Patients choose neurostimulation as a safe and customizable form of treatment for their chronic pain. Neurostimulation doesn’t involve risks like organ damage, or complications such as nerve damage. Personalization-wise, a patient may adjust the neurostimulator’s parameters according to their medical needs. As time goes on, more research is being conducted regarding neurostimulation, as well as there being an increasing demand in the medical market. To conclude, neurostimulation techniques are successfully guiding people from experiencing excruciating pain to feeling long-lasting relief.
References
“Chronic Pain: What Is It, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, 01 September 2021, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4798-chronic-pain. Accessed 28 August 2024.
“Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): What It Is & Function.” Cleveland Clinic, 25 May 2022, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23123-peripheral-nervous-system-pns. Accessed 28 August 2024.
Reyfman, Leon. “Why Choose Neurostimulation Techniques?” Pain Management NYC, 23 February 2024, https://www.painmanagementnyc.com/neurostimulation-techniques/. Accessed 13 August 2024.
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