Spinal cord injuries can and often do have a major and lifelong impact on the people who sustain them. Sadly, paralyzed people not only suffer from a loss of mobility, but they can also experience an excess amount of pain. This is why many individuals are eager to learn more about how spinal cord stimulation brings movement to paraplegics.
There are currently two options in this type of therapy that are currently offered. One option is used primarily for pain management and the other is intended to improve mobility. Both of these innovations in the medical field have helped to give people who suffer from paralysis renewed hope and increased relief.
For pain management, a small device can be inserted beneath the skin. This is used to create pain in the targeted area so that the pain signal can be sent to the brain. With repeated pulses, the pain will register instead as a warm tingling sensation beneath the skin. Rather than living their lives wholly reliant upon prescription medications for muting or controlling pain, people can gain freedom from discomfort through these devices.
Patients also have fewer problems with side effects. They can enjoy less pain without having to suffer symptoms of fatigue, vertigo or nausea. Because of this fact, this is a very popular way to manage the pain that paralysis can cause.
One other solution that is having a major impact is the application of electrical stimulation that is intended to mimic and promote communication between the nerves and the brain. These can increase movement in places that were subject to paralysis before. These methods and the science behind them are all new and there are many advancements that are yet to be made.
The movements that this form of stimulation allows are wholly voluntary. In this way, these treatments are helping people to regain control of their bodies. Moreover, they could be an effective tools for preserving muscles from atrophy and maintaining important nerve to brain connections. These developments are believed to have the capacity to change the prognoses for paralyzed individuals, even many years after spinal damage has been sustained.
All specialists must first assess the nature of their patients injuries and other factors concerning their physical health. This is necessary for determining whether or not these individuals will be ideal candidates for these procedures. Once candidacy is established, several trials are often performed in order to gauge their efficacy and their impact on the individual patient.
There are currently two options in this type of therapy that are currently offered. One option is used primarily for pain management and the other is intended to improve mobility. Both of these innovations in the medical field have helped to give people who suffer from paralysis renewed hope and increased relief.
For pain management, a small device can be inserted beneath the skin. This is used to create pain in the targeted area so that the pain signal can be sent to the brain. With repeated pulses, the pain will register instead as a warm tingling sensation beneath the skin. Rather than living their lives wholly reliant upon prescription medications for muting or controlling pain, people can gain freedom from discomfort through these devices.
Patients also have fewer problems with side effects. They can enjoy less pain without having to suffer symptoms of fatigue, vertigo or nausea. Because of this fact, this is a very popular way to manage the pain that paralysis can cause.
One other solution that is having a major impact is the application of electrical stimulation that is intended to mimic and promote communication between the nerves and the brain. These can increase movement in places that were subject to paralysis before. These methods and the science behind them are all new and there are many advancements that are yet to be made.
The movements that this form of stimulation allows are wholly voluntary. In this way, these treatments are helping people to regain control of their bodies. Moreover, they could be an effective tools for preserving muscles from atrophy and maintaining important nerve to brain connections. These developments are believed to have the capacity to change the prognoses for paralyzed individuals, even many years after spinal damage has been sustained.
All specialists must first assess the nature of their patients injuries and other factors concerning their physical health. This is necessary for determining whether or not these individuals will be ideal candidates for these procedures. Once candidacy is established, several trials are often performed in order to gauge their efficacy and their impact on the individual patient.
About the Author:
Neil P. Hines is passionate about providing intelligent, unbiased and highly relevant medical information for people dealing with a wide range of pain conditions and related orthopedic needs, including back pain, knee pain, joint replacements, sports medicine, lumbar fusion and more. If you are interested in learning more about spinal cord stimulation doctors PA he recommends that you visit his friends at St. Mary Medical Center.
