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Spinal Cord Stimulator Implants are Game Changers in Pain Management

August 7, 2012 , , , , , , , ,
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spinal cord stimulator

A spinal cord stimulator is a permanent implant that can help dramatically with pain relief.

Spinal cord stimulator implants have been around for decades in pain management. They have continued to get better and better and provide an excellent option for individuals suffering from chronic pain as a last resort procedure.

Often times, patients have been through spine surgery, they’re on narcotic medications and have tried physical therapy. They have also tried TENS Units and anything to get adequate pain relief. Spinal cord stimulator may be their last resort for being able to assume some sort of a normal existence.

Spinal cord stimulator implants are also referred to as neurostimulation therapy. The devices are implanted underneath the skin and programmable in a way similar to a cardiac pacemaker.

With the neurostimulator acting underneath the skin, it can work much closer to the spinal cord. In fact, the electrodes are placed in the spinal column itself and are able to block pain signals before they reach the brain. This is very different than a TENS unit which is placed on the skin and not in deeper tissues. Tens units are often very effective for managing pain, but nothing close to the difference a spinal cord simulator can make in a person’s life.

spinal cord stimulation

This is an x-ray of a spinal cord stimulator being placed in the spinal canal looking from the front (left) and from the side (right).

The newest spinal cord stimulator implants are able to be  recharged from outside the skin and also have a lot more programming capabilities than the original models. One of the problems seen with spinal cord stimulator implants for years is that the body’s position of an individual often affected the pain reduction achieved.

Some of the newest models such as the Medtronic Adaptive stem, incorporate an accelerometer that helps sense the patient’s position to adjust the stimulation accordingly. This can allow the individual to avoid the problems with changes in position and keep the pain reduction much more steady.

The new stimulators actually learn how to adapt to a person’s different positions. This can free up an individual from having to make continual adjustments to levels of stimulation based on their position during activities.

The surgical technique with these latest implants is no different, but the results are showing better results. They’re also superior to earlier models by having different electrodes with more programming capabilities.

In addition, some of the latest procedures are having more electrodes placed for patients to get better back pain relief along with the typical leg pain relief that is usually achieved.  If you live in Florida and are experiencing chronic pain, you may want to consider a spinal cord simulator as an excellent last resort option.

The Florida Pain Network connects those in pain with pain management doctors in Florida. The pain clinics have fellowship trained doctors, and have placed hundreds of spinal cord stimulator’s successfully for debilitated patients. There are pain management Miami clinics, pain management Orlando clinics, pain management West Palm Beach clinics, and many more.

Get started today, visit THIS PAGE and put in your zip code to find the clinic closest to you or call (877) 877-8556 for assistance.


How Many Americans Are Living with Chronic Pain?

July 31, 2012 , , , , , , ,
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Chronic pain is reaching epidemic proportions in the US. There have been multiple numbers published as to how many Americans are dealing with it on daily basis. The American Academy of Family Medicine puts the number at 70 million Americans. Others have pegged it at 50 million. However, the report last year from the Institute of medicine looked at doctor office visits and found that the number of individuals living in chronic pain in America is 116 million.

This means that one in three Americans is living with some sort of a chronic pain problem. This is a staggering number and the costs associated with this chronic pain number was over $500 billion a year. When you look at in perspective to other disease problems such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes, it represents a problem bigger than all of them combined.

The number of 116 million comes from doctor visits for chronic pain. However, a significant amount of people have a chronic pain issue and did not go to the doctor to deal with it. Many of those may be men who have a pride issue and want to tough it out. A recent Gallup survey found that 47% of Americans have at least one type of chronic pain.

So in actuality, the amount of people in America living in chronic pain may be closing in on half of the population. This does not mean that half of America has debilitating pain, but pain that affects the person every day such as significant arthritis or degenerative disc disease causing moderate low back pain.

If you live in Florida and are dealing with a chronic pain problem, let the Florida Pain Network help you. The network includes pain clinics, chiropractors, and physical therapy practices around the state.For instance, the Network has Orlando pain clinic listings, Port St Lucie pain management listings, and many more pain clinics in Florida.

If you go to THIS PAGE and click the kind of provider you desire, those closest to you will show up first. Or simply call (877) 877-8556 for assistance. You do not have to live everyday in pain, Help is available!


Spinal Cord Stimulator with Pain Management Doctors in Florida

February 10, 2012 , , , , , , , , ,
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As a person dealing with chronic pain, it may appear that no options exist for pain relief and it may cause despair and depression. A spinal cord stimulator could possibly be a great option for chronic pain and get an individual back to living life and having fun.

If you are determined to be a candidate for a spinal cord stimulator, here are the various steps involved with having one put in. First thing is to meet with a pain management Miami doctor to discuss the  possibility for an SCS to control your particular pain issues. It doesn’t fix any pain issue in existence. In reality it actually it doesn’t “fix” anything. A spinal cord stimulator alters the perception of pain by changing the way the brain receives it and converts it into a tingling sensation that is not so painful but “different”. If you have a pain issue that does not have a surgical remedy, the stimulator may at least make it tolerable. Isn’t that preferable?

pain management miami

Spinal Cord Stimulator

The next step is the trial implant.  This is done as an outpatient under IV sedation. The pain clinic Miami FL doctor typically will not  give people general anesthesia for the trial, because input from the patient is vital. Through a small incision, the trial lead catheter is placed into the spinal canal area and typically positioned over the center of the spinal cord. The person then answers questions about pain relief and where the tingling sensation appears (leg/back/arm/etc). The lead as it comes out of the skin is plugged in to battery program unit and started up before asking the about the tingling coverage. If the person states that the tingling is felt in the right place, the procedure is done. If the patient is not getting coverage over the painful area then the catheter is shifted  until it does. A thin wire through the catheter is present to allow some firmness for twisting it around outside the skin by the Miami pain management doctor.

The catheter is left in that position, the wound is dressed sterile, and the person then has the battery unit attached outside the skin which doubles as a programming piece. For the next week the person wears  it to see how much pain relief is achieved.

Typically what the doctors at Miami pain clinics want to see is a minimum of 50% pain relief. That’s what most insurance companies want to see as well in order to approve the implant for final placement.

spinal cord stimulation

Spinal Cord Stimulation

Assuming that half of the pain is gone, the person then goes for a psychological evaluation to get the final approval. Most insurance companies necessitate this visit prior to approval. The final implant is typically then put in by an ortho or neuro spine surgeon. It needs a bigger incision and  bone removal from an area over the spinal canal as the neurostimulation paddle is larger. These surgeries usually take around 45 to 60 minutes and the person can go home afterwards. There are two parts to the final implant. One is the paddle lead that is positioned into the spinal canal which is a lot larger than the trial one. This permits multiple programming options. This  has an electrode wire that emanates from the spinal canal placement and into the soft tissues (see pic) where it attaches to the neurostimulation portion which is also the battery. The battery pack is about the size of a Peppermint Patty candy (you know the one in the foil pack). It is positioned above the buttock area under the soft tissues or in the abdominal area off to the side.

Once the procedure is finished the unit is programmed and the person is able to start getting the pain relief benefits of it. The person learns how to program the unit and they wear a belt which charges the unit while sleeping outside the skin.

Pain management Miami FL clinics have doctors who specialize in spinal cord stimulators. These can bring a new lease on life to those suffering.

The Florida Pain Network connects patients in pain with pain relievers throughout Florida including pain management doctors in Florida, chiropractors, and physical therapy clinics. Pain relief is just a click away!


Simple Methods On How To Do Away With Back Pain

January 9, 2012 , , ,
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Would you be shocked to discover that many people who suffer from back discomfort are able to lead fairly pain-free, pleased lives? If chronic back discomfort is an issue for you, this statement will likely surprise you. If that’s the case, then continue reading for some tried-and-true suggestions on managing your discomfort and enjoying your life!

Do not anxiety out about a brand new back discomfort. Lower back discomfort is very common, particularly amongst middle-aged Americans. It’s unlikely to be an indicator of a a lot more significant illness or condition, and it’ll most likely clear up more than time even if it isn’t treated by a medical professional.

One thing several people do that may trigger back and neck strain is holding a telephone receiver between the head and shoulder whilst operating on one thing else. It really is very advised to get a hands free of charge device for your phone in the event you spend a great deal of time on it to steer clear of this strain.

Find methods to create your every day function activities a lot more active! Invest in a telephone headset so you’ll be able to walk about your office during a conference call. Walk to someone’s office as opposed to choosing up the telephone. These habit adjustments will get you out of your chair and relieve a lot of back pain inside the process.

When coping with back pain, the very first and utmost essential thing to do is always to consult your physician and see what assistance he has for you. Just because you think, it is not severe doesn’t mean it is not, get a expert opinion just before you wind up hurting oneself worse than you already did.

In the event you struggle with back discomfort, you know the intense toll that this can have on your function and individual life. Social relationships are frequently strained, and perform could be affected. It is time to take charge of your life! You are going to be well on your way right after implementing the techniques described in this post. Another pain treatment available is acupuncture Vancouver.

BodaHealth, 302-1245 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6H 1G7, (604) 733-2632. BodaHealth offers Vancouver massage therapist and Vancouver Chinese medicine.