Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in treatment of chronic, intractable truncal, and axial pain has been conducted for over 50 years (1). Improvement in stimulator technology is thought to have led to resurgence in use since 2005, when positive randomized control trials showed efficacy in treatment of patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) (2–4). Axial pain is nociceptive, or neuropathic pain is felt to be secondary to a spinal abnormality that does not have a radicular pattern and includes some forms of FBSS.

Results: There was a significant reduction in mean visual analog scale pain scores in the immediate postoperative phase, (8.61 vs. 2.3, p < 0.001). There were twelve patients who consumed pre-operative opioid, and 75% showed reduction of use with a significantly lower average daily dose (66.8 vs. 26.9 meq/D, p < 0.05). There was a significant reduction in the Oswestry Disability Index during postoperative follow-up visits (p < 0.001). There were no major perioperative or long-term complications from the procedure in follow-up.

Conclusion: The analysis of this cohort suggests successful long-term treatment of a diverse set of patients with PSPS who underwent spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and had meaningful improvement in quality of life and reduction in opioid consumption.

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Front. Pain Res., 08 March 2022
Sec. Neuromodulatory Interventions
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpain.2022.847504

Article in Pain physician · November 2008 (Pain Physician 2008; 11:891-907 • ISSN 1533-3159)

Inflammation often plays a key role in the perpetuation of pain. Chronic inflammatory conditions (e.g. osteoarthritis, immune system dysfunction, micro-circulatory disease, painful neuritis, and even heart disease) have increased as baby boomers age. Medicine's current anti-inflammatory choices are NSAIDs and steroids; the value in promoting cure and side effect risks of these medications are unclear and controversial, especially considering individual patient variations. Electricity has continuously been a powerful tool in medicine for thousands of years. All medical professionals are, to some degree, aware of electrotherapy; those who directly use electricity for treatment know of its anti-inflammatory effects. 

Electronic signal treatment (EST), as an extension of presently available technology, may reasonably have even more anti-inflammatory effects. EST is a digitally produced alternating current sinusoidal electronic signal with associated harmonics to produce theoretically reasonable and/or scientifically documented physiological effects when applied to the human body. These signals are produced by advanced electronics not possible even 10 to 15 years ago. The potential long-lasting anti-inflammatory effects of some electrical currents are based on basic physical and biochemical facts listed in the text below, namely that of stimulating and signaling effective and long-lasting anti-inflammatory effects in nerve and muscle cells. The safety of electrotherapeutic treatments in general and EST in particular has been established through extensive clinical use. The principles of physics have been largely de-emphasized in modern medicine in favor of chemistry. 

EST is a digitally produced alternating current sinusoidal electronic signal with associated harmonics to produce theoretically reasonable and/or scientifically documented physiological effects when applied to the human body. These signals are produced by advanced electronics not possible even 10 to 15 years ago.

Robert H. Odell, Jr., MD, PhD, and Richard E. Sorgnard, PhD

Link to Paper

Stay hydrated

Dehydration occurs when the amount of water your body loses is more than what it takes in. Staying hydrated can help you tackle other issues, such as headaches, and improve your focus and mood. Water is also important for nerve function. Low water levels lead to a disruption of nerve function, which can result in pain.

Diet

Low-carb diets and gluten-free diets are popular with those suffering from peripheral neuropathy. Celiac disease can pose risk factors in causing neuropathy. Malabsorption of important nutrients is common in people who suffer from celiac disease, particularly for those who are newly-diagnosed or have not treated their condition. Consult a dietician or physician to find out what foods aggravate and alleviate your nerve pain to help build a diet according to your body’s needs.

Vitamins:

• Vitamin B: A deficiency of vitamin B-12 was found to be one of the causes of peripheral neuropathy, as it causes nerve damage. Besides vitamins and supplements, low-fat dairy foods, fish and eggs are a good source of vitamin B. Oysters and mussels provide about 4 times the RDI (Reference Daily Intake) of vitamin B12 per serving.
• Vitamin C: Studies have shown that vitamin C has played an important role in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. It helps protect tissues and cells from oxidative damage.
• Vitamin D: Vitamin D levels are related to neuropathy pain and balance issues.
• Vitamin E: Vitamin E has analgesic properties and studies have shown that a single dose or regular intake of low doses of vitamin E is effective in treating neuropathic pain.

Herbal Remedies :

Prickly Pear: Conservation Medicine Laboratory found that “Prickly Pear is a natural medicinal agent that possesses a number of antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties that help the body rid itself of harmful free radicals.” (That are known to pile on excess oxidative stress on our cells, tissues and muscles)

Passionflower: Passionflower is a highly popular herbal agent that helps with a number of issues related to nerve pain, stress, anxiety, and insomnia. Passionflower achieves its calming effect on the nerve, by increasing the levels of GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) in the brain.

Marshmallow (Root): This demulcent plant possesses a sizable portion of anti-inflammatory mucilage. It is a gelatinous substance that helps the body rid itself of unwanted stress, anxiety and pain. Additionally, daily intake of this substance will lower swelling in your muscles. 

Corydalis: Research from the University of California Irvine showed “Corydalis will diminish your inflammatory pain...which is associated with tissue damage and the infiltration of your immune cells. As well as rehabilitate injury-induced neuropathic pain.

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