educate - pain management systems

• An Overview of Neurotechnology for Pain Management
• Listing of Neurotechnology Treatments and Therapies for Pain
• Support Organizations for People Living with Chronic Pain

Pain Management Treatment Overview

1. TENS units (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) and Percutaneous Neuromodulation Units (PENS) work by delivering low level electrical stimulation through electrodes placed directly on the skin of the affected area. The electrical stimulation delivered through the skin may help alleviate pain by blocking pain messages being sent to the brain. Both systems require a physician prescription but this therapy can provide a convenient means of treating some forms of pain. Both are non-invasive and can be an economical solution.


2. Implanted Drug Delivery Systems (IDDS), also known as Intrathecal Analgesia Therapy, refers to the administration of medicine, either pain-relieving or spasticity-relieving, such as baclofen, by a medication delivery pump. The IDDS include a chamber or reservoir for the drug that delivers the medication through a catheter directly into the spinal canal (intrathecal). The pump needs to be refilled, usually once every few months, by placing a needle through the skin. This procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis or during a regular doctor’s visit. Generally, a person first undergoes a trial of the medication by an intrathecal injection. If successful, a pump system can be implanted permanently through a surgical procedure. IDDS reduce the need for oral medications, can be more effective and is now a mainstay of therapy for intractable pain including neuropathic pain and spasticity.


3. Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) system is a hybrid system comprised of implanted electrodes in the spine and an external control unit. It uses electrical stimulation to block the pain pathways to the brain that travel through the spinal cord. SCS has also been known to decrease spasticity. An initial trial is needed to see if effective results can be achieved. If the trial is successful, a permanent system may be implanted. The user has the ability to keep the system on permanently or as needed.

Special appreciate to Dr. Elliot Krames, MD, International Neuromodulaton Society and Dr. Thomas Keller, MD, Pacific Pain Treatment Centers for their contribution creating this introduction

Pain Management Devices

TENS and PENS units

• Algotech Ltd. - Providing a Neurostimulation PENS Therapy for chronic pain.
• Alpha-Stim, Inc. - Treating pain and stress related disorders with a proven, safe, effective non-drug approach
• Axelgaard - Their PALS Electrodes have become the world wide brand of neurostimulation electrode.
• Axiobionics, LLC - Wearable therapies are custom build external electrical stimulation systems
• Biowave - They designed 3 pain therapy devices all using percutaneous neuromodulation therapy delivering therapeutic electrical signal into deep tissue: Deepwave, Homewave and Sportswave.
• Care Rehab - They offering TENS units for the treatment of pain.
• Dynatronics - Providing self administered TENS devices to manage post-traumatic or post-surgical pain.
• Electronmedical Products International - Treating pain and stress related disorders with a proven, safe, effective non-drug approach
• Empi, Inc. - Empi's extensive line of rehabilitation products offer solutions for a variety of health care needs, including pain control options.
• Medical Science Products - Specializing in non-invastive electrotherapy devices.
• RS Medical - offering pain and function solution stimulators to treat painful muscle conditions and to treat persistent back and neck pain.

• Codman - Implantable drug delivery system for the treatment of pain and spasticity.
• Medtronic - ITB Therapy for severe spasticity.

• Boston Scientific Neuromodulation - a global leader in the development of implantable, high-technology neurostimulation devices. Our bionic technologies include new spinal cord stimulation treatments for chronic pain.
• Medtronic, Inc. - Medtronic Pain Therapies™ offer proven, effective relief treatment alternatives of spinal cord stimulation.
• St. Jude Medical Neuromodulation - has successful neurostimulation and drug pump technologies advancing treatment standards for chronic pain and neurological disorders

• Anodyne Therapy - Anodyne® Infrared Therapy Systems are medical devices that are indicated to increase circulation and reduce pain, stiffness, and muscle spasm.
• Neuros Medical - Developing Nerve Block technology for chronic pain.

Pain Support Organizations

• American Academy of Pain Management - The American Academy of Pain Management is an inclusive, interdisciplinary organization serving clinicians who treat people with pain through education, setting standards of care, and advocacy.
• American Chronic Pain Association - The American Chronic Pain Association was founded in 1980 by Penney Cowan in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
• American Pain Foundation - Raising public awareness, providing practical information, promoting research, and advocating to remove barriers and increase access to effective pain management.
• National Chronic Pain Outreach Association - purpose is to lessen the suffering of people with chronic pain by educating pain sufferers, health care professionals, and the public about chronic pain and its management.
• National Foundation for the Treatment of Pain - a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing support for patients who are suffering from intractable pain, their families, friends and the physicians who treat them.
• National Pain Foundation - An on-line educational and support community for persons in pain, their families and physicians. Your source for treatment options and pain information that is peer reviewed by leading pain specialists.
• The Mayday Pain Project - an education resource for a variety of pain and conditions resulting with chronic pain.
• NIH Neurological Disorders and Stroke—Chronic Pain - NINDS Chronic Pain Information Pages.

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