From Surgery to Relief: Everything About Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
Nerves send signals from the brain to perform various functions in daily life. When signals from your brain are disrupted, you may experience pain in certain parts of your body. This is where peripheral nerve stimulation comes in.
The best pain management experts now offer peripheral nerve stimulation as an alternative to surgery to relieve chronic pain without invasive procedures.
Read more: The importance of a pain management specialist.
Read on to learn more about peripheral nerve stimulation.
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation: How It Works
Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is an electrical therapy that relieves pain. This method can go a long way in relieving chronic pain that occurs due to nerve damage.
PNS devices use small electrodes near peripheral nerves to send pain signals to the brain. These electrodes send tiny electrical pulses that trigger the body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals, thereby reducing pain.
PNS devices are typically implanted under local anesthesia during minimally invasive surgery. Electrodes are placed near the affected nerve and connected to a small battery-powered generator implanted under the skin.
What types of pain can peripheral nerve stimulation treat?
Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is an innovative treatment for chronic pain. It involves implanting a small, battery-powered device that sends electrical pulses to peripheral nerves to relieve discomfort and restore function. PNS has been effective in treating a variety of problems:
a) Neuropathic pain (such as muscle weakness and burning sensation in specific body parts) can be treated with Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS). These conditions are primarily caused by damage to nerve tissue.
b) Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a disease that affects the patient’s sensory and motor aspects. PNS will help alleviate this condition by reducing abnormal sweating and skin discoloration and improving range of motion.
c) NS treats chronic neck pain, back pain and headaches. This treatment provides targeted stimulation and pain relief to the affected area.
d) PNS relieves musculoskeletal pain such as fibromyalgia, rotator cuff injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, knee osteoarthritis, and chronic chest pain.
How does the recovery process work after PNS treatment?
After PNS treatment, it takes approximately 2-4 weeks for patients to fully recover. Your doctor may recommend that you stop work and other regular activities for a few days. This period of rest can help your body heal faster.
The treated area may be swollen or tender for a few days. Your doctor may recommend medications to reduce pain during recovery.
Physical therapy is an inevitable part of the recovery process after PNS treatment. Your doctor may recommend doing this to strengthen weak muscles, improve range of motion, and control inflammation and swelling. Other benefits of choosing physical therapy include stimulation of nerve pathways and faster recovery.
Contact the Illinois Pain and Spine Institute to learn about the best Panax notoginseng saponin treatments in the area. Our Chicago Pain Center has board-certified physicians providing the best care for patients suffering from chronic pain.
We specialize in this minimally invasive treatment, which blocks pain signals by stimulating peripheral nerves outside the spinal cord. Our minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgery has fewer side effects and shorter recovery time.