Dr. Hussain in the operating room about to perform a neuromodulation surgery

Neuromodulation is a one-hour outpatient procedure

Chronic pain sufferers may finally have a reason to hope, thanks to a groundbreaking procedure called neuromodulation. This one-hour treatment offers relief without the need for major surgery, lengthy recovery times, or medications that risk becoming addictive.

Neuromodulation uses a small wire that is implanted in the brain or spinal cord and connected to a battery-powered device. This device delivers electrical stimulation that modifies nerve activity, providing relief from chronic pain and other neurological conditions.

Neuromodulation has been around since the 1960s, yet many people have never heard of it. This minimally invasive procedure is emerging as a game-changing solution because of rapid technological advancements and expanding insurance coverage. 

Neuromodulation can help conditions such as:

  • Nerve-related disorders

  • Diabetic neuropathy

  • Failed back surgeries

  • Spinal cord injuries

  • Pain after joint replacements

  • Headaches and migraines

  • Depression

  • Blood circulation

  • Angina

For those living with constant pain, Namath Hussain, MD, MBA, a neurological and spine surgeon at Loma Linda University Health, says that neuromodulation offers relief that doesn’t involve on-going medication or frequent doctor visits. 

“This technology isn’t just about reducing pain,” Hussain says. “It’s about giving people their lives back — helping them return to work, spend time with their families, and enjoy the things they love.”

What is neuromodulation?

Neuromodulation uses a tiny, implanted wire and a battery-operated device to send electrical impulses to specific brain or spinal cord areas. These impulses interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain, providing on-going relief. The device, which is implanted in the chest just beneath the skin –– like a pacemaker –– is controlled via a Bluetooth remote, giving patients the ability to adjust settings depending on their needs.

The technology behind neuromodulation also leverages artificial intelligence’s ‘closed-loop’ systems, the newest generation of AI technology that reads signals from the brain or spine and adjusts them in real-time to deliver tailored stimulation.

“It’s not like a traditional surgery where we remove tissue or bone,” Hussain says. “It’s minimally invasive, with just a needle-sized incision guided by X-rays. It’s also adaptive. For example, if you walk every day or engage in an activity that increases your pain, the AI in the system will analyze patterns and adjust to provide more support.”

How the procedure works

Completed in two stages –– trial and implant –– neuromodulation is straightforward and simple:

Trial: Unlike typical surgery, neuromodulation offers a trial phase for patients to try the device for one week before getting the permanent implant. During this period, a temporary wire is inserted through a small needle in the neck or lower back and connected to an external battery. This setup stimulates critical areas, allowing patients to assess its effectiveness in managing pain symptoms. 

Implant: If the trial is successful, patients can proceed with a permanent implant. This minimally invasive procedure places a 3-millimeter-wide wire into either the brain or spinal canal for long-term use. The entire surgery takes approximately one hour and does not require a hospital stay. 

Hussain also emphasizes the following benefits of neuromodulation:

Quality of life: Neuromodulation is a long-term solution rather than a temporary fix like medications or injections.

Battery life: Batteries, which need replacement roughly every 10 years, are becoming more efficient, offering patients better functionality with each upgrade.

Customer support: Patients receive support for device assistance, including 24/7 access to company representatives.

Why isn’t neuromodulation more popular?

Although neuromodulation is tailored for individuals experiencing chronic pain, numbness, and tingling, Hussain says that medications like opioids and joint injections have been the standard treatments for chronic pain for many years.

“Patients often view surgery as a last resort,” Hussain explains. “Instead, they try medications, physical therapy, or injections, but those methods can have long-term side effects, they don’t address the root of the pain, and they do little to improve overall quality of life.”

However, recent stricter regulations on opioid prescriptions and joint injections are shifting the focus toward sustainable solutions like neuromodulation. As neuromodulation gains popularity as a long-term solution that decreases pain and increases quality of life, Hussain expects to see more people opting for this option rather than relying on addictive medications. 

If you’ve been searching for a solution to your chronic pain, neuromodulation might be the answer you’ve been waiting for. For more information, call 909-558-2880 or click to visit our website here.