Avoid Spinal Pain Surgery with a New Alternative Treatment

Neurostimulation therapy is a popular surgical technique for spinal pain. It involves directly stimulating the spinal cord with implanted electrical wires creating "impulses" that interrupt pain patterns as well as signals to the brain and nervous system.

This treatment is accomplished through a surgical process where the stimulating electrodes are surgically implanted into the epidural space of the spine, in addition to the impulse-creating generator. These devices are tested for several days prior to final implantation. This treatment is typically a last resort to a failed back surgery, complex regional pain syndrome and refractory pain due to ischemia (inadequate blood supply). This surgical implant is highly overused with other more effective and safer methods often overlooked.


How Neurostimulation Works

Neurostimulation is activated by an implanted spinal cord stimulator. Typically, when people have neuropathic pain states, it has been shown that the pain and stress is largely due to the disruption of the local neurochemistry of the dorsal horn of the neurons of the spine. Evidence suggests that levels of GABA, serotonin, glutamate, and aspartate are altered and involved at the root of pain.

When patients have ischemic analgesia characterized by a loss of blood flow common in diabetes and other neuropathies, their oxygen needs to be increased. Instead of surgical implants and wires, there are superior treatment methods that can be employed to increase oxygen and balance the neurochemistry. This method of treatment accesses causatives directly.


Do the Benefits Outweigh the Risk of Neurostimulation Procedure?

Although the goal of neurostimulation is to manage pain, this treatment isn't always effective. The high risk of side effects make this procedure solely a last resort.

A List of Common Neurostimulation Side Effects:

  • If the electrode lead positions are altered, pain relief will stop.
  • Incorrect intermittent stimulation on the leads.
  • Pain at stimulator surgical sites.
  • Programming or data problems.
  • Any complications typically involved with surgery, including possible spinal cord injury.
  • The need for other surgeries and additional medications.

The Body's Oxygen Demands: The Main Source of Pain

The peripheral and vascular disease commonly found in diabetics and chronic infective Lyme disease patients is a neurological pain associated with restricted blood flow and alteration of neurochemistry of the region. It is important to note that the restriction of blood flow and resultant lack of oxygen, coupled with intermittent claudications, are involved in these pain patterns. Neuropathic pain becomes even more severe when experienced while at rest. Muscle spasms often occur in the lower limbs. Once sufficient oxygen is restored, neurochemistry is balanced, and only then will patients feel relief.

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