By Amit Poonia, M.D.
Neuro-Stim System (NSS) is an FDA-approved pain treatment program. Neuro-Stim System produces a low frequency and constant pulse to help reduce post-operative pain and decrease the need for pain narcotics. The device relieves pain without the harmful side effects commonly associated with pain medications.
The neurostimuator stimulates the patient’s pain modulation systems and leads to the
release of neurotransmitters, such as endogenous endorphins (opioids), helps to normalize
the protein expression profile of the hypothalamus caused by neuropathic pain and to
exert neuro-protective effects on the dopaminergic neurons.
In addition, nerve stimulation has been an approved treatment for many chronic pain
conditions, which include widespread pain, by stimulating targeted peripheral and
cranial nerves which results in increased endorphin release and concomitant reduction in
sympathetic tone, which has an effect on gait mechanisms of chronic pain. The stimulated
endorphins result in a reduction of a variety of symptoms and an increase in blood flow into
affected tissues of the affected areas. This increased vascular perfusion speeds healing time, helps to reduce localized inflammation and swelling, and decreases pain. An added
benefit is that this treatment typically helps to reduce narcotic consumption and need for
other medications or treatments used to address pain.
The symptom reduction is often cumulative and residual. The majority of patients may
require six to nine separate devices/neurostimulator treatments to reach quiescence. When
treating chronic pain conditions, suggested protocol is to initially implement five treatments
(each treatment requires a separate disposable, single-use neurostimulator device). In
acute situations such as surgical procedures, a pre-treatment and post-treatment use of the neurostimulator device (two total treatments) to reduce sympathetic stimulation and
increase endorphin production is suggested to minimize post-operative pain, edema,
swelling, and to reduce the need for opioid and other pain medications.
The neurostimulator treatment will be used as an adjunct modality with the patient’s
current pharmacological and medical restoration treatment program, in anticipation of
decreasing pharmacological and medical restoration treatment as the neurostimulator
treatment affects the patient.
NSS is approved for treatment of:
• Back pain
• Sciatica
• Cervical pain
• Arthritic and joint pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Zoster related pain
• Cancer pain
• Depression and Insomnia
• Post-Operative Pain Management
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
• Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
• Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Neuropathy
• Occipital Neuralgia
• Trigeminal Neuralgia
• Peripheral Vascular Disease Neuropathy
• Herpetic Neualgia
• Trigeminal Neuralgia
• Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
• Other conditions that have failed conventional therapies.
Contraindications:
There are few contraindications for the NSS. Absolute contraindications are:
• Recent transplant
• Site infection
Relative contraindications include:
• Pregnancy
• Pacemakers
• Contact dermatitis to adhesives (latex allergy)
• Occurrence of an MI within the last six months
Amit Poonia, M.D., practices at Interventional Pain Management and Ortho-Spine Center. The practice has several offices, including locations in East Brunswick, Edison and Old Bridge. For more information, call 800-403-1533 or visit statewidepain.com.