Other Neuromodulation Products
Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) was first developed in the 1960s. SCS systems use implanted devices that pass electrical current in an attempt to relieve chronic intractable pain of the trunk or limbs. These systems operate by means of a surgically implanted lead(s) located over the spinal cord, with the electrical signal intended to prevent the pain signal from travelling from the peripheral source through the spinal cord to the pain perception centers of the brain (“gate theory”). The implanted wires contain electrodes that provide a path for the electrical current; the battery and associated control electronics are implanted in the chest or abdomen.
Spinal cord stimulation systems are employed to treat certain forms of chronic neuropathic pain (damage to peripheral nerves) such as the pain present in failed back surgery syndrome and complex regional pain syndrome. Spinal cord stimulation is highly invasive and therefore is usually reserved by clinicians as a therapy of last resort. Spinal cord stimulation systems are not indicated for treating musculoskeletal (MSK) pain such as that caused by fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
(Source: http://www.webmd.com/content/article/100/105598.htm)
TENS
In addition to invasive procedures such as SCS, a large number of external “nerve stimulation” devices such as Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) devices have come on the market in recent years. For one discussion on the scientific evidence for TENS, refer to http://www.medicine.ox.ac.uk/bandolier/index.html