We offer comprehensive examinations to help you understand your condition and treatment options. By using neurostimulation, we treat conditions such as:

• Abdominal pain
• Bladder dysfunction
• Chronic back pain and sciatica
• Complex regional pain syndromes
• Dystonia
• Epilepsy
• Foot pain
• Intractable angina
• Intractable headaches
• Intractable pelvic pain
• Neurogenic bladder
• Pain caused by peripheral vascular disease
• Paralysis
• Parkinson's disease
• Phantom limb syndrome
• Postsurgical pain
• Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
• Spasticity
• Stump pain
• Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Trigeminal neuralgia

At our facility, the dedicated neurosurgical team led by Dr. Giancarlo Barolat specializes in nerve and spinal cord stimulation pain management. Through this treatment method, we work towards treating various issues and conditions, including pain, paralysis, headaches and Parkinson's disease.

Neurostimulation therapy is the surgical approach to neuromodulation and involves placing electrodes on the spinal cord or peripheral nerves. These electrodes connect to an implantable pulse generator (IPG) to send impulses to parts of your nervous system, potentially correcting the abnormal electrical signals that cause pain. You can participate in a trial period with a temporary IPG lasting one to four weeks to assess its effectiveness.

If you experience more than a 50 percent reduction in pain, then a permanent stimulator lead or electrode with an IPG is implanted for permanent use. Reports of satisfactory pain relief vary from 40 to 80 percent success rates. What determines success is highly variable, which is why the trial is performed first.

The treatment of chronic pain conditions with neurological stimulators is indicated:

• If you have chronic pain lasting more than six months
• If postsurgical pain continues and no easily correctable pathology exists
• If other therapeutic modalities (e.g.: medications, physical therapy or injections) have failed or caused undesirable side effects

We specialize in using neurostimulation to treat debilitating and chronic migraines and intractable headaches that have not responded to other treatments. If you have chronic headaches or migraines, you may have tried every possible therapy available with no relief. You may be extremely sensitive to light and noise because these stimuli can trigger a migraine.

Neurostimulation might alleviate your discomfort and restore a sense of normalcy. The technology sends impulses to various parts of the nervous system to correct abnormal electrical signals, thereby decreasing pain. Our goal is always to help reduce pain so you can live a healthy and fulfilling life.

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions:

When should I consider neurostimulation surgery for pain treatment?

When you have had debilitating pain for more than six months despite many other treatments, then you can be considered for neurostimulation surgery. These other treatments may include physical therapy, medications, spine surgery, cortisone injections, transcutaneous nerve stimulation and acupuncture.

What other testing has to be done to be a candidate for neurostimulation procedures?

Most insurance companies and neurostimulation pain professionals require a screening psychological exam. This can rule out any serious psychological issues that could interfere with the success of the procedure. The majority of people who suffer from chronic pain have experienced depression, frustration and anger. The goal of the psychological evaluation is to make sure that these issues are not of such magnitude as to jeopardize the outcome of the neurostimulation procedure. Of course, we also want to make sure that there are no significant psychiatric disorders or cognitive issues that would nullify the efficacy of the modality.

How do we know it will work?

You will undergo a seven- to 10-day trial with a temporary stimulator inserted. This will be powered by an outside generator source. If you experience a good response, which we consider greater than a 50 percent reduction in pain, then a permanent stimulator lead or electrode with an IPG are implanted for permanent use. The reports of satisfactory pain relief vary from 40 to 80 percent success rates.

What determines the success is highly variable from person to person.

That is the reason for a trial to be performed first.

How big is the IPG (device) or battery unit?

The smallest IPG is about the size of three silver dollars stacked on top of each other.

How long does the battery last and how do you replace it?

The batteries are rechargeable through the skin and may last five to seven years, depending on the power demand for your stimulation requirements. Replacing the battery is a minor outpatient procedure performed under local anesthetic and sedation, which takes about 30 minutes.

How do I control the stimulator?

You may have two to five different stimulator programs to choose from. In addition, you can control the intensity of the stimulation with a remote-control device. The different programs give you the flexibility to change the stimulation patterns based on your areas of pain. For example, some individuals do not require their legs to be stimulated at night, so they shut that region off at night.

What are the limitations of having a stimulator implanted in my body?

There are limitations to having an implantable generator. These limitations include the inability to obtain magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) or therapeutic ultrasound. Your physical activities may be restricted from contact sports. People have downhill skied and returned to running after stimulator implantation. Again, you must remember that if there is a significant problem or the stimulator is not effective anymore, it can always be removed.