Chronic Pain Impacts 76 Million Americans

Spinal Cord and Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Relieve Patient "Drug Fog"

NEW YORK, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Afflicting countless people worldwide, chronic pain is a largely misunderstood and under-treated disease that forever alters the lives of more than 50 million Americans each year.

Many patients endure inadequate treatments and are forced to rely on prescription pain-killers that do little if anything to alleviate their symptoms and often lead to addiction.

According to the North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS) and American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP), among the most effective viable alternatives to this course of action is spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS).

SCS and PNS have been overwhelmingly proven to be among two of the most effective tools in treating chronic pain; and patients can avoid side effects associated with traditional pain medications such as excessive sedation or clouding of thoughts.

"Patients do not feel like they are living in a 'drug fog,'" stated Dr. Joshua Prager, a California-based pain specialist and member of NANS and ASIPP. "One can look at these devices as pacemakers for the nervous system, which help to control nerve-related pain. Patients should weigh all their options, especially when pain persists, to maximize their chances of achieving pain relief."

September has been designated National Pain Awareness Month to help educate the public about the options and benefits of choosing a pain management program. The following are a few facts about SCS and PNS:

• Neuromodulation therapy enables many patients to increase their activity levels and improve overall quality of life.
• Similar in function and appearance to cardiac pacemakers, spinal cord and peripheral nerve stimulation deploys the use of neurostimulation devices that send micro-electrical signals directly to the spinal cord or peripheral nerves to block pain.

Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)

• SCS delivers low-intensity electrical pulses that diminish or block the severity of the pain message to the brain with a tingling sensation.
• Patients are often able to reduce or eliminate their use of pain medications, which can potentially have multiple negative side effects including dependency.
• Implanting the device usually requires only a minor surgical procedure, and once activated, the system can be programmed to best control individual levels of pain.

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS)

• Peripheral Nerve Stimulation is a similar neuromodulation technique in which electrical stimulation is applied instead to the peripheral nerves. It can also help alleviate chronic pain that has not responded to less invasive procedures.
• PNS is extremely useful for treating pain in areas that are not as accessible to spinal cord or spinal-nerve root stimulation.
• PNS has been used to treat a variety of conditions including chronic headaches, peripheral nerve injuries, facial pain, post-hernia surgery pain, low back pain and a variety of other conditions.
• Sacral Nerve Stimulation has been used for the treatment of bladder dysfunction (neurogenic bladder), pelvic pain, interstitial cystitis, and other conditions.

All pain evaluations should be undertaken by a board certified physician and pain management specialist. To find a qualified pain management physician in your area go to http://www.asippmembersite.org/Search/Search.php.

About the North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS):

The North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS) is dedicated to being the premier organization representing neuromodulation. NANS promotes multidisciplinary collaboration among clinicians, scientists, engineers, and others to advance neuromodulation through education, research, innovation and advocacy. Through these efforts NANS seeks to promote and advance the highest quality patient care.   http://www.neuromodulation.org/

About The American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP):

ASIPP's mission statement is to promote the development and practice of safe, high quality, cost-effective Interventional Pain Management techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of pain and related disorders, and to ensure patient access to these interventions.  Founded in 1998 by Chairman of the Board and CEO Laxmaiah Manchikanti, MD, ASIPP is a rapidly growing not-for-profit organization that supports the access to interventional techniques and the needs of physicians who practice accountable Interventional Pain Management across the country.

Since its inception, the organization has had substantial impact on the practice of Interventional Pain Management, resulting in an impressive list of major achievements.  In 2005, ASIPP succeeded in passing The National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Act (NASPER), which provides and improves patient access to quality care, and protects patients and physicians from the deleterious effects of controlled substance misuse, abuse and trafficking.  ASIPP currently has 4,500 members.  For more information, visit www.asipp.org or call 270.554.9412. Ext. 215.

SOURCE The American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians; North American Neuromodulation Society