Peripheral Nerve Stimulation

If you experience chronic pain due to nerve issues, peripheral nerve stimulation offers a safe and effective treatment option. At The Beloved Medicine Clinic, Pain and Spine, pain management specialist John Melek, MD, MSC, regularly recommend peripheral nerve stimulation. To see if you can benefit, call the office in Dallas, Texas, or request an appointment online today. 

What is peripheral nerve stimulation?

Peripheral nerve stimulation is an outpatient procedure used to treat chronic nerve pain. 

During treatment, your The Beloved Medicine Clinic, Pain and Spine provider implants a small electrical device near your damaged peripheral nerves. Once placed, the device emits low levels of electricity that block pain signals from reaching your brain.

Which conditions can benefit from peripheral nerve stimulation?

Peripheral nerve stimulation is used to treat several conditions that cause chronic nerve pain. These conditions include:

• Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Occipital neuralgia
• Migraines
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Back pain
• Sciatica

If you’ve been diagnosed with neuropathy (nerve damage), and your symptoms haven’t responded to conservative treatments, you may be a candidate for peripheral nerve stimulation.

What does peripheral nerve stimulation involve?

Peripheral nerve stimulation treatment occurs in two phases:

Phase one

During the first phase, your provider uses X-ray imaging to place a temporary electrode near your damaged nerve. Once placed, the device is tested to make sure it stimulates the correct area and relieves your pain. 

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia to numb the treatment area.

Before leaving, your provider gives you a remote to increase or decrease the nerve stimulation. Then, you test the device for about a week to see if it relieves your symptoms. 

Phase two

If the test phase is successful, you return to The Beloved Medicine Clinic, Pain and Spine. Your provider administers a local anesthetic and replaces the temporary electrode with a permanent one. 

The permanent electrode works the same way, allowing you to adjust the signal intensity. 

What is recovery like after the implantation procedure?

After your implantation procedure, you’ll need someone to drive you home. Your provider will explain when it’s safe to return to normal activities. It’s normal to experience mild pain and bruising near the insertion site, but any discomfort should improve within a week or two.

Many people notice significant pain relief in the weeks after implantation. Be patient and follow your provider’s instructions for optimal results. 

To explore the benefits of peripheral nerve stimulation, make an appointment at The Beloved Medicine Clinic, Pain and Spine. Call the office or request an appointment online today.