Neuromodulation Therapy

OVERVIEW

What is Neuromodulation?

Neuromodulation is an advanced pain therapy that blocks pain signals at the spinal cord before the signals reach the brain. Neuromodulation helps patients directly block the pain through a medical device technology that alters nerve activity through a targeted delivery of electrical stimulation or chemical agents directly to a specific site in the nervous system. Neuromodulation procedures are often considered when more conservative therapies have failed, or when a patient’s condition requires a more direct pain modulation of the nervous system or precise drug delivery.

What Therapies are Included in Neuromodulation?

• Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS). This involves the implantation of a device that delivers electrical pulses to the spinal cord, interfering with the nerve signals that are perceived as pain.​
• Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS). PNS involves placing electrodes along the course of peripheral nerves. The electrical stimulation modulates pain signals at the peripheral level before they reach the spinal cord.​
• Intrathecal Drug Delivery Systems or Pain Pumps. Although not electrical stimulation, this is another form of neuromodulation involving the delivery of medication directly into the spinal fluid to modulate pain signaling pathways effectively.

Indications

• Chronic Back Pain: Particularly in cases where back surgery has not relieved pain, commonly referred to as Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS).​
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): A condition characterized by severe, chronic pain typically affecting the arms or legs, which can follow an injury.​
• Neuropathic Pain: Pain coming from nerve damage, which includes conditions like peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathies that do not respond to conventional treatment.​
• Localized Peripheral Nerve Pain: Situations where pain is confined to a smaller area served by a specific nerve, such as occipital neuralgia (headaches originating in the neck) or intercostal neuralgia (pain in the rib area).​
• Spasticity: Resulting from conditions such as multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, or cerebral palsy, where centrally acting muscle relaxants are inadequate or produce adverse effects.

How does Neuromodulation Work with Other Treatments?

• Physical Therapy: Neuromodulation can relieve pain sufficiently to enable more active participation in physical therapy and rehabilitation programs. ​
• Oral Medications: Neuromodulation can be used in conjunction with pharmacological treatments, such as oral pain medications, including NSAIDs, opioids, and anticonvulsants. ​
• Behavioral Therapy: Neuromodulation can reduce the pain intensity, which in turn may improve the effectiveness of psychological interventions by reducing the patient’s pain-related anxiety and depression.​
• Lifestyle Modifications: Lifestyle changes to diet and exercise modifications will be required to improve overall health and enhance the body’s natural pain management systems and supporting the pain relief provided by RFA.

What are the Benefits?

• Effective and Targeted Therapy: Devices like spinal cord stimulators (SCS) and peripheral nerve stimulators (PNS) can be finely tuned to target specific nerve pathways, thereby optimizing pain relief in localized areas or specific pain types.​
• Reduction in Medication. Neuromodulation can reduce a patient’s dependence on oral pain medications that includes opioids.​
• Improved Quality of Life. By effectively managing pain, neuromodulation can greatly enhance a patient’s quality of life. This improvement is seen in various areas, including increased mobility, better sleep quality, enhanced mood, and greater overall functionality. ​
• Reversable and Adjustable. Neuromodulation devices, such as those used for SCS, are fully reversible — the device can be turned off or removed if it becomes unnecessary or if a better treatment becomes available. ​
• Minimally Invasive with Low Risk. Compared to conventional surgery, the implantation of neuromodulation devices is minimally invasive and typically associated with lower risk.

What are the Benefits of Working with Foundation Pain & Spine?

Consulting Dr. Justin Thompson at Foundation Pain & Spine provides several benefits, including:

• Expertise: Specialized knowledge in diagnosing and treating pain with the most advanced techniques.​
• Tailored Treatment Plans: Customized approaches to pain management that address the unique needs of each patient.​
• Access to Advanced Treatments: Including the latest in pain block technology and other cutting-edge interventions.​
• Holistic Care: Focus on treating the whole patient, not just the symptoms, including the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of pain.​
• Improved Quality of Life: The ultimate goal is to reduce pain, improve functionality, and enhance the overall quality of life for patients suffering from chronic pain conditions.

Working with Dr. Justin Thompson at Foundation Pain & Spine ensures access to a comprehensive range of treatments and a personalized care plan designed to effectively manage pain and support patients in achieving their wellness goals. By leveraging the full spectrum of pain management techniques, including advanced pain blocks and multimodal therapies, patients can find significant relief and a path forward beyond their pain.​