13575 W. Indian School Rd. Ste 700 & 1000, Litchfield Park AZ 85340 • 15547 N. Reems Rd., Surprise, AZ 85374
inbox@activelifepaincenter.com
623-535-9777
Chronic Pain
51.6 million Americans are affected by chronic pain according to the CDC.1 Until now, there have been primarily two ways to address this extensive issue. One of these options has been the use of pain relieving medications. Adverse side effects and fear of dependency on these drugs deter many patients and doctors from this pharmaceutical option. The other alternative, treating the source of the pain, seems to be the most intuitive choice. Though an inherently better solution, there are reasons that a large portion of patients do not find relief with this option.
Pain’s Persistence
Pain is complicated. One size does not fit all. Sometimes there are certain indicators that are evidently causing pain, and sometimes there are not. Addressing even the most notable culprits of pain sometimes brings no relief. This can be frustrating and confusing for the patient.
First, let’s address the patients that should have found relief from a previous procedure, but didn’t. To understand why pain lingers even after treating the source, we have to interpret the functions of the body. The periphery communicates with the brain via electrical impulses along the nervous system. When there is damage and inflammation, the nerves transmit this to the brain. It’s the interpretation of these signals that translates into our perception of pain. When these signals are triggered continually or for an extensive period, the pathway is strengthened and becomes resistant.
The body is not designed for surgical intervention, and thus it is only natural for the body to remain protective of the previously damaged area even after healing. Consequently, the electrical impulses that communicate pain continue even when there is no longer agitation to the area.
Another noteworthy group of patients are those that have residual pain that is untreatable. Sometimes there are simply no more procedures that will help a patient receive further relief. Other times, there are complicated comorbidities or general medical complications that limit the available treatment options for the patient.
How These Patients Will Benefit From SPRINT
All of the patients noted above can benefit from SPRINT technology. SPRINT is the most rigorously researched PNS system available,2 the procedure boasting a greater than 70% of patients reporting significant and sustained pain relief.3
Because pain is a product of the neural pathway and ultimately a perception of the brain, it can be manipulated. The SPRINT system utilizes this neural pathway by interrupting its usual signals using a pulse generator. The pulse generator manufactures tiny electrical pulses and transmits them using a microlead. Ultimately, the system re-educates the brain to not feel pain in the localized area.
This mechanism can be used to treat chronic pain, arthritic pain, pre- and post-surgical pain, nerve pain, intractable pain, and headaches.
Put Into Practice
Upon evaluation and diagnosis, the qualified patient would undergo a minimally invasive procedure to superficially implant the tiny SPRINT leads into the affected area. The physician will individually discuss with the patient their best practices for regular wear. The stimulation duration will be area-dependent, to be controlled via remote. Expect to generally go about your normal daily activities during this period, with the exception of disconnecting the pulse generator to shower.
After wearing the unit for 60 days, the patient will have the superficial leads removed during an office visit. By then, the electrical pulses will have re-trained the neural pathways so that they no longer communicate pain to the brain.
AND the procedure is covered under medicare!
How Long the Relief Lasts
After retraining the brain, the relief can last between a few years to a lifetime. Here at Active Life, we have yet to see a patient revert to their original pain after this treatment.
Who SPRINT Isn’t For
After reading this, you may be thinking that this is a cure-all technology. Though it is an immense advancement in the world of pain management, there are scenarios in which this treatment would not be suitable for.
The SPRINT treatment is not for those unwilling to give up soaking in water (i.e. hot tub, bath, pool, etc) during the 60 day treatment. Because the treatment is non-permanent and superficially placed, the prolonged water exposure will act as an inappropriate medium for the electrode pathway. However, if soaking does occur unintentionally, the result is not dangerous and can be addressed with the physician to fix the issue.
Additionally, the procedure is best suited for patients with regionalized pain. Patients that have pain all over their body, for example, will not receive similar relief. This is because the electrode stimulator is applied to the general region of pain and interacts with the pathway associated with the particular area.
The Active Life Vision
The vision of the Active Life team is to provide you with the most beneficial options so that you can receive the pain relief you deserve. To do so, we pride ourselves in having technologically advanced treatments. The new SPRINT treatment is changing the world of pain management. Call and schedule an appointment with us today to see if this treatment is right for you and your pain.
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