Living with chronic pain can significantly impact your quality of life. Today, we have access to numerous different therapies that can help reduce a person’s long-term pain. These pain management therapies also include the use of innovative technologies that not only help reduce and manage pain but also help identify the exact source of the pain.
According to Dr. Brandon Claflin of Oklahoma Interventional Spine and Pain, people living with chronic pain should consider all of their options and make use of all new advancements until they find a treatment that works for them. There is no reason for a person to be living with severe chronic pain since tools are available to treat symptoms.
Technological Advances
Several new therapies involve the use of technology for pain management. A pain management specialist is the best person to contact to find out more about these important treatments.
EMG/NCS
One of the most impactful is the use of Electromyography (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS). These studies help pinpoint the exact nerves that are damaged or compromised and cause a person to experience chronic pain.
EMG uses electrodes that sense and transmit electrical signals. This minimally invasive procedure involves the use of a needle electrode inserted into a muscle. The EMG then records the electrical pulses and activity in the muscle. This information can then be used to help understand how well a muscle is or is not working.
An NCS is similar but uses electrodes that are applied to the patient’s skin to measure the strength of electrical signals between two points. An NCS can help a provider understand if there is an issue with a patient’s nerve-to-muscle signaling.
These tools are helpful for people who regularly experience pain and discomfort like tingling, numbness, cramping, pain in the extremities, and muscle weakness.
Radiofrequency Ablation
An RFA (radiofrequency ablation) procedure is specifically used to prevent nerves from communicating with one another. If a particular bundle of nerves is causing a patient pain, an RFA procedure may be used to prevent them from sending signals to the brain that can be interpreted as pain.
RFA is often used after accidents or injuries that prevent nerves from communicating properly with the brain. During this procedure, a needle is inserted into the damaged area of nerves. The nerves are then heated with radio waves until they are no longer able to send signals to the brain.
This type of technology can be useful when other procedures have failed. If a nerve is damaged and does not send correct signals to the brain, the use of RFA can eliminate the communication so that the patient no longer feels pain.
Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) Trial
A fascinating procedure that can help a person with spinal pain is the spinal cord stimulator trial procedure or SCS trial procedure. A spinal cord stimulator is a device that is implanted and sends electrical impulses to the spinal cord.
People who may be good candidates for this type of device include those who have chronic back pain that has not responded to other treatments. If you are deemed a good candidate, you’ll likely receive treatment on a trial basis. After using the device, your physician can determine if the device helps mitigate your pain or if a different therapy or setting should be used. Importantly, a spinal cord stimulator has customizable settings, so if one specific program does not work, another may be used.
These are only a few of the technologies that are currently available to pain management specialists to help address chronic pain. There are other therapies available that can also help you live a more comfortable life.
Don’t Suffer in Pain
There are many therapies and advances available to help you manage your pain. Unlike other treatments, which may involve problematic medications or risky surgeries, using technological therapies is a way to help mediate pain in a way that will be safe for long-term use.
People with nerve pain, joint pain, muscle pain and weakness, and chronic back pain can all benefit from these technologies. Your primary care doctor may not have as much awareness of these treatments as a team of trained pain management specialists. If you haven’t yet visited a pain management specialist, locate one in your area today and start the journey of long-term recovery and comfort.
