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Neuromodulation

In Phoenix Arizona

At Atlas Pain Specialists we work with patients to help alleviate pain with the help of Neuromodulation. We try to find the right solutions on a patient-to-patient basis.
What Is Neuromodulation? 

Overview

Neuromodulation can only treat neuropathic pain and not pain that originates from physical injury. But rather, the problem occurs in the nervous system that transmits the pain signals. It works by blocking pain signals from reaching the brain

Targeted electrical currents or drug infusions into the central nervous system are used neuromodulation therapies. Neuromodulation is growing in popularity and is non-invasive, minimally invasive, and uses surgical electrical therapies.

Spinal cord stimulation and Dorsal root ganglion are some of the common neuromodulation treatments.
microscopic view of neuromodulation on a nerve in blue colour scale

Benefits of Using 
Neuromodulation For Pain

Neuromodulation Improve Patients Lives

 When drugs are just ineffective or have become problematic for long-term pain management due to increased tolerance development, adverse side-effects, addiction, or toxicity then neuromodulation is a great alternative. The harmful side effects that the other conventional pain management have been mitigated with neuromodulation

Minimally Invasive

Neuromodulation for pain is generally non-invasive to minimally invasive. This is a good alternative to risky surgical procedures for pain treatment. In most cases, there is no lengthy recovery time such as a hospital stay, no rehabilitation or physical therapy is required and is mainly an outpatient procedure that does not require large surgical incisions.

Great Alternative to Oral Opiate Medications

Unfortunately, America is experiencing an opiate pandemic. Oral opiates for pain management has been used to treat long & short durations. This has contributed to the current opiate pandemic. Recent studies have shown that oral opiates do not improve daily function for patients that have chronic pain but rather in long term reduce the chances of the patients returning back to their daily routines. Neuromodulation Therapies has been shown to be a better alternative. Each case is different however.

Cost-Effective For Chronic Pain

Previously, Neuromodulation has been used after other conventional treatments like physical therapy, medications, or surgery were tried. The great news is that insurance coverage & clinical decision making is changing, and neuromodulation is now being considered much earlier in treatment planning. Studies have shown that early use of this treatment reduces the chances of emergency room visits, misuse of opiate pain medication, avoiding risky or ineffective surgeries, and hospitalizations.

Process

Types 

Conditions

Risks

How Neuromodulation Works

Neuromodulation is a novel therapeutic approach that has been demonstrated to be effective in alleviating a variety of neurological and psychological conditions. This strategy exploits certain nerve cells in the brain to modify their functioning, thereby decreasing signs and enhancing performance.

By employing a controlled neuromodulator to the nerves, neuromodulation treatment is a non-invasive method that targets neurons as they travel to the brain to reduce the amount of pain felt by an individual. This technique works by obstructing the transmission of pain signals to the brain and reducing the intensity and duration of the pain.

Additionally, neuromodulation can be effective in improving mental health by augmenting the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin and dopamine, and treating various mental health conditions, for instance, anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. If you are considering this treatment, it is essential to consult with your doctor.

What Are Some Examples of Neuromodulation?

When treating chronic pain, neuromodulation is one of the most effective treatments available today. Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) is the most commonly used form of neuromodulation.

This involves the insertion of a thin wire, placed just outside the spinal cord, and attached to a small generator that is also placed under the skin. The generator carries frequent, low-voltage electric impulses to the spine, which act on the pain signals as they make their way to the brain.

In addition to SCS, there are other treatments available that neurosurgeons administer to surgeons who specialize in surgeries on the nervous system. These include spinal drug delivery systems, brain stimulation, deep brain stimulation (DBS), and peripheral nerve stimulation.

  • Spinal drug delivery systems
    This form of neuromodulation delivers drugs directly to the spinal cord, bypassing the digestive system. This can be beneficial for those who don't respond to oral medications. Drugs used in this treatment include opioids, local anesthetics, antidepressants, and muscle relaxants.
  • Brain stimulation, including deep brain stimulation (DBS)
    DBS is a highly advanced form of neuromodulation. This treatment utilizes electrodes placed in specific brain areas to stimulate neurons and turn off pain signals. This is especially effective for those suffering from movement disorders or chronic pain caused by Parkinson's or multiple sclerosis
  • Peripheral nerve stimulation
    PNS is the newest form of neuromodulation therapy. This involves the insertion of electrodes near peripheral nerves to stimulate them and reduce pain. This type of treatment is effective for those suffering from chronic pain and is minimally invasive.

What Ailments May Neuromodulation Treat?

Neuromodulation is a treatment that can be used to address a variety of conditions, such as chronic pain, depression, and Parkinson's disease. It is a therapy that works by altering the activity of the nervous system to help reduce symptoms. Additionally, it has been found to be successful in addressing movement diseases like Parkinson's and Tourette's.

It has been used further for treating epilepsy, psychiatric conditions, functional brain rehabilitation, cardiovascular issues, and genitourinary diseases. Moreover, it has minimal undesirable side effects, which offers the opportunity for broader treatment choice

Has Neuromodulation Ever Been Associated With Any Risks?

Potential issues may include bleeding, infection, thrombosis, and medicine-related responses (if an intrathecal pump is utilized). As everyone's nervous systems are unique, there could be different responses to these therapies between patients. Due to this, a test is conducted before a device is permanently put in place.

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Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is a common problem that can cause significant physical and emotional distress. When you have chronic pain, you may experience pain every day, even after the original injury or illness has healed. This can be difficult to cope with, both physically and emotionally. Approximately 25% of people with chronic pain will develop chronic pain syndrome (CPS), which is characterized by symptoms beyond pain, like depression and anxiety. This can make it difficult to live your life normally.
Chronic Pain Treatments
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Neck Pain
The neck (or cervical spine) is a coordinated network of nerves, bones, joints, and muscles. It has the important job of providing protection and mobility to the brain, but often it can become painful. There are a number of conditions that cause pain in the neck. Inflammation along nerve pathways in the spine can be responsible for shoulder, head, arm, and/or hand pain. Additionally, inflammation of the spinal cord may cause pain in the legs and other areas of the body. In a few days or weeks, neck pain usually goes away, but pain that lasts for months may signify an underlying medical cause that needs to be addressed. In such cases, early intervention may be necessary for the best results.
Neck Pain Treatments
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Opioid Statement
Atlas Pain Specialists has a policy regarding the prescribing of controlled substances. Each patient will be evaluated on an individualized basis and some may not be a candidate for chronic opiate therapy.

In order to protect your health, patients are monitored closely for possible addiction, abuse, and diversion. This monitoring may include follow-up office visits, urine drug screening, and the sharing of medical records between your physicians and your pharmacies.

Atlas Pain Specialists reserves the right to determine if we will take over the prescribing of controlled substances from other providers on a case by case basis.

Patients should not expect to receive a prescription for a controlled substance at your first visit.
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