Relieve Chronic Pain with Neuromodulation Treatment
Are you struggling with migraines, bladder dysfunction, or an inflammatory bowel disease? What about rheumatoid arthritis? If you can’t seem to get the relief that you need, there’s actually a device that can help you feel better through electrical stimulation.
What Exactly is Neuromodulation Therapy?
Patients that use neuromodulation devices and treatments get real results because this technique can directly target the area that needs treatment. This can be done through a wide range of techniques like spinal cord stimulation, spinal drug delivery systems, brain stimulation, and more.
The amazing thing about neuromodulation therapy is that it can affect every area of the body and treat nearly every disease or symptom, we mean it! From chronic pain to incontinence, this treatment can do it all!
What Are the Benefits of Neuromodulation?
The biggest benefit of neuromodulation treatment is improving the overall quality of life for patients. There’s extensive research and clinical trials that have been done on this technique that document the safety and ability to decrease chronic pain and make patients feel better.
Some big benefits of going with neuromodulation treatment are:
• Help avoid side effects
Because the neuromodulation technique is targeted, it helps reduce side effects.
• Easily reversible
It provides great control for patients and physicians.
• Cost-effective
This can be a more cost-effective approach to controlling certain conditions, especially when you factor in drug expenses.
How Does Neuromodulation Work?
Neuromodulation therapy really works, and here’s how:
The device uses electrical currents or magnets that adjust or change the activity that is happening. This can be preventative or stop an attack that is already underway.
These devices can be portable or require neuromodulation surgery. They use work electrical, temperature-altering, or magnetic signals to the nerves to produce a natural response. Or drugs can be applied in tiny doses to the site.
Who is Best Suited for Neuromodulation?
Do you suffer from migraines, and you’re tired of taking medicine? If so, then you’re a great candidate for this treatment. While neuromodulation therapy can treat several issues, it’s extremely popular among migraine sufferers. These patients turn to the neuromodulation technique to stop migraines that are already underway and even prevent them from happening.
As we mentioned earlier, these devices also work for other chronic pain issues. Talk to your doctor to see if you’re a candidate for neuromodulation treatment.
What Are the Current Neuromodulation Treatment Options?
Right now, there are three FDA-approved neuromodulation devices on the market that can help alleviate migraine pain and even bring relief to those annoying migraine systems like sensitivity to light.
• The Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulator
This is a handheld tool that uses electrical stimulation to target the vagus nerve in the neck, which can help treat cluster headaches and acute migraine pain.
• Transcutaneous Supraorbital Neurostimulator
This is another handheld tool that is placed on the front of the forehead to send an electrical current to the supraorbital nerves. It helps to reduce the number of migraines a person gets.
• The third device is a headset that is used to treat acute migraines. It works by targeting multiple nerves on the head. It can also help with migraine-related symptoms like sensitivity to light and sound.
Ten Things to Know About Neuromodulation
1. Improves the quality of life for patients in pain
If you have migraines, then you know just how excruciating that pain can be. The pain can even be called life-changing because it can impact your ability to function and keep you from normal everyday activities. Patients who have had neuromodulation surgery or use handheld devices have found it easier to go on with their daily routine without any disruptions.
2. There are different neuromodulation techniques
One of the really great things about neuromodulation is that there are several differ-ent ways this technique can be applied. The treatment will be administered depend-ing on the nerve that needs to be stimulated to ensure you get the relief in the spot that will help the most.
3. Neuromodulation is FDA approved
Neuromodulation isn’t anything new. This technique is approved by the FDA and has been around for more than a quarter-century. There’re extensive research and clini-cal trials that document its success.
4. Neuromodulation patients have the ability to “test drive” the device
If you need a neuromodulation device implanted, you can actually test it out during an incision-less trial before the device is inserted. This gives patients a chance to see what type of relief the device can provide before committing to permanent insertion.
5. Neuromodulation implants can be removed
Although a neuromodulation surgery will implant the device into the skin, it can be removed if you choose to have the procedure reversed.
6. Relieve pain without feeling a “drug fog”
You know how you feel in a fog after you take oral medication? You can get rid of that feeling with neuromodulation treatment. A spinal-drug delivery system will give microdoses of medicine, that way, you don’t have to deal with the foggy feeling.
7. There are neuromodulation specialists in your area
There are over 1500 active NANS members. This is the largest chapter of the Interna-tional Neuromodulation Society. So, it should be easy for you to find a specialist in your area. Just go to www.neuromodulation.org to search.
8. Neuromodulation procedures are covered by most medical insurance and Medicare programs
Neuromodulation is considered a medical procedure, so it’s covered by most insur-ances. However, you’ll still want to check with your insurance provider and make sure this is covered under your program.
9. Neuromodulation specialists care about their patients
Neuromodulation therapy is designed to bring comfort and relief to patients that suf-fer with chronic pain, and members of NANS are dedicated to the neuromodulation program and making sure their patients see real results.
10. Neuromodulation continues to grow
The results that neuromodulation treatment brings to pain sufferers are amazing, and new scientific advantages and clinical studies will continue to grow in this field.
Neuromodulation FAQs
Still not sure about neuromodulation? Here are some of the most asked questions regarding the procedure:
1. What conditions are neuromodulation techniques used to treat?
Neuromodulation therapy is used to treat acute and severe migraines. It can also be used to treat movement disorders, epilepsy, bladder dysfunction, and other severe pain due to illnesses.
2. What should I expect prior to the device being implanted?
Your doctor will talk to you about the ways you currently manage your pain. If neu-romodulation surgery seems like the best option, then your doctor will recommend that you see several other medical professionals to get more opinions to make sure this is the right treatment for you.
3. What can I expect during neuromodulation surgery?
Often the electrodes or catheters are inserted under local anesthetic. The actual pro-cedure will vary from person to person, depending on where the procedure is done.
4. What should I ask my doctor prior to the procedure?
o Make sure to talk to your doctor about other treatments. You’ll want to be sure that this surgery is the way to go and there aren’t other solutions to your problem.
o Ask about their track record with the treatment.
o Ask them about complications.
o Make sure you know who your neuromodulation contact will be after the sur-gery.
5. What are the side effects?
There is a risk for side effects with this surgery, like any surgery that requires an im-plant. Be sure to talk to your doctor about these side effects. Depending on what im-plant you choose, you can find complications listed on the manufacturer’s website.
6. How long will I take to recover after neuromodulation treatment?
You’ll have to check with your doctor about this question. The amount of time it takes to recover will depend on what implant you’re having done and your current condition.
7. Will my body reject the device after it is implanted?
Rejection is extremely rare. These devices are made to tolerate the body.
8. How long will the device need to be implanted?
Most likely, you’ll have to keep the device in to have permanent results. However, the device can be removed if needed.
9. What happens if the device breaks down?
You’ll want to contact your doctor, who can usually diagnose the problem after link-ing up the device with the master computer.
10. How often will the device need to be replaced?
Like any mechanical device, there is maintenance required to keep your device in top shape. Your doctor will talk to you about the best way to care for your device.
11. How is the device regulated?
A device that is fully implanted will be programmed by your doctor. Some devices are handheld devices that come with a patient programmer so you can be in charge of turning it on and off and making any adjustments.
12. How long will the battery in my device last?
These devices have different longevity. Some of them can last from two to nine years, depending on the size and usage. When the time comes to replace the battery, the entire implantable pulse generator, which includes the battery, will be replaced.
Learn About Neuromodulation at Winston Salem Dermatology
Do you struggle with migraines? At Winston Salem Dermatology, we can help provide the relief you need. If you’re interested in learning more about what we can do for your migraines, then give us a call today at (336) 774-8636. Find out why we are the Triad’s preferred dermatology and cosmetic enhancement team!