What Is Neuromodulation?
Neuromodulation uses direct stimulation of the nervous system to treat disorders like pain, bladder conditions and mental health conditions. In some cases, neuromodulation can also involve delivering drugs with a surgically implanted pump. Doctors who treat pain, such as orthopedic specialists, can address chronic pain conditions with this treatment. Learn more about neuromodulation for chronic pain and its benefits.
Types of Neuromodulation for Chronic Pain
Doctors can use a variety of techniques to relieve nerve pain. Neuromodulation treatments available from providers like Spine INA include:
Spinal Cord Stimulation
During spinal cord stimulation, a device delivers low levels of electricity to the spinal cord. These electric signals change the body’s neuropathic pain response into a gentler tingling sensation. Doctors may use spinal cord stimulation to treat:
- Post-laminectomy syndrome
- Lumbar radiculopathy
- Chronic cervical radiculopathy
- Complex regional pain syndrome
For more information on spinal cord stimulation, visit our treatment guide.
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
When you have pain related to a nerve, your doctor might recommend peripheral nerve stimulation. In this treatment, a device stimulates a nerve located beyond the brain and spinal cord. Peripheral nerve stimulation interrupts pain signals sent to the brain due to conditions like:
- Neuralgia
- Diabetic peripheral neuropathy
- Lower back pain
- Post-thoracotomy syndrome
Find out more about peripheral nerve stimulation on our treatment page.
Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) Stimulation
The dorsal root ganglion (DRG) sends messages from your brain to your limbs and spinal cord. During DRG stimulation, a device stimulates the DRG to relieve pain. DRG stimulation can address a variety of difficult-to-treat pain conditions, including:
- Post-herniorrhaphy syndrome
- Phantom limb pain
- Foot pain
- Pain from a failed joint replacement
Get more information on DRG stimulation in our procedure guide.
Benefits of Neuromodulation Treatment
Patients may see these benefits when they choose neuromodulation:
- FDA-approved: Neuromodulation has plenty of research and testing that supports its effectiveness. As a result, it has approval from the FDA for treating chronic pain.
- Flexible: Before you go through surgery for a neuromodulation implant, you can try it without surgery. You can also ask to remove your implant if you decide to stop treatment.
- Available for coverage: Many health insurance and Medicare programs cover neuromodulation for certain conditions. Your doctor’s office can work with you to get authorization for this treatment.
- Non-impairing: You can enjoy pain relief without the sleepiness and confusion caused by pain medicines. Ask your doctor about the potential side effects of neuromodulation for the best results.
- Potentially life-changing: If your chronic pain gets in the way of living a fulfilling life, neuromodulation could help. It can reduce debilitative pain to make it more manageable.
Your doctor can give you the information you need to understand if neuromodulation can treat your condition.
Learn More About Neuromodulation at Spine INA
At Spine INA, we provide treatments like neuromodulation for chronic back and joint pain. Our doctors will help you discover the best option for your pain by discussing all the services we offer. Schedule a consultation or learn more about our services by contacting our staff today!
This content was medically reviewed by Baher Yanni, M.D, on October 10th, 2019.
