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Neurostimulator Offers Relief for Chronic Lower Back Pain and Restores Mobility
Rosie Skinner, a 76-year-old South Carolina resident, is back on her feet and enjoying an active lifestyle after a novel neurostimulator procedure alleviated decades of chronic lower back pain. The ReActiv8 device, implanted by pain management expert Dr. Martin Burke, has not only reduced her pain but also restored her mobility, allowing her to resume activities she thought were lost forever.
Innovative Neurostimulator Restores Function
Skinner had endured lower back pain for decades. After moving to Moncks Corner, South Carolina, she sought treatment from Dr. Martin Burke in 2021. Traditional treatments, including cortisone injections and physical therapy, proved ineffective. By the summer of 2024, the pain had become debilitating, severely limiting her ability to walk and stand [[1]].
Dr. Burke introduced Skinner to ReActiv8, a neurostimulator procedure designed to relieve pain and restore muscle function. Skinner, trusting Dr. BurkeS expertise, agreed to undergo the procedure in August 2024.
Did You Know? Chronic lower back pain affects approximately 8% of adults, significantly impacting their quality of life [[2]].
How ReActiv8 Works
Dr. burke explained that ReActiv8 targets a specific cause of lower back pain: multifidus muscle dysfunction. The multifidus muscle, crucial for stabilizing the lumbar spine, can be compromised by trauma or strain, leading to pain and muscle atrophy. An MRI and physical exams can determine if the muscle is functioning correctly.
The ReActiv8 system includes a battery, two wires, and a remote control. During a 45- to 60-minute outpatient procedure, Dr. Burke implants the device through small incisions in the back and flank. Two weeks post-implantation, the device is activated.Patients use the remote control twice daily for 30 minutes to stimulate the muscle, which feels like a deep massage. Over time, this stimulation helps restore muscle function.
Pro Tip: Maintaining a healthy weight and practicing good posture can definitely help prevent lower back pain.
Long-Term Benefits and Patient Outcomes
Dr. Burke has observed “profound” improvement in patients treated with ReActiv8. He emphasizes that it is the only treatment that addresses the underlying problem rather than just providing palliative care. Five-year data indicates that nearly 70% of patients have reduced or eliminated opioid medication,and about 80% have significantly improved their ability to perform daily activities.
While the implantation is considered permanent, the device can be removed if necessary. ReActiv8 is not a first-line treatment and is reserved for patients who have not responded to other therapies and are not candidates for surgery.
For Rosie Skinner,ReActiv8 has been life-changing. Nearly a year after her implantation, she has resumed her active lifestyle. “The ReActiv8 is a terrific little instrument, and it wholly took away my pain,” she saeid. “My recovery time was so much better than anything I’ve tried, and thanks to Dr. Burke, I’m moving and walking so much more.” She even purchased a treadmill.
ReActiv8 Procedure Details
| Procedure Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Target | Multifidus muscle dysfunction |
| Components | battery, two wires, remote control |
| Procedure time | 45-60 minutes |
| Incision Size | 1-inch (back), 2-inch (flank) |
| Activation | 2 weeks post-implantation |
| Usage | Twice daily for 30 minutes |
What activities would you resume if chronic back pain was no longer a barrier?
Could innovative neurostimulation be the answer for others suffering from chronic pain?
Understanding Chronic Lower Back Pain
chronic lower back pain is a persistent condition that can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. It is indeed defined as pain that lasts for more than three months and can be caused by a variety of factors, including muscle strains, disc degeneration, and nerve compression.Traditional treatments often include pain medication, physical therapy, and injections. However, for some patients, these treatments are not effective, leading to the exploration of alternative therapies like neurostimulation.
The global market for pain management devices is projected to reach $5.7 billion by 2028, reflecting the increasing demand for innovative solutions to chronic pain [[3]].
Frequently asked Questions About Neurostimulation for Back Pain
- what is ReActiv8?
- ReActiv8 is a neurostimulator procedure designed to relieve pain, restore muscle function, and improve physical function in patients suffering from chronic lower back pain.
- How does ReActiv8 work to alleviate chronic back pain?
- ReActiv8 targets multifidus muscle dysfunction, a common cause of lower back pain. The device stimulates the muscle to contract, which over time, restores muscle function and reduces pain.
- What are the benefits of the ReActiv8 neurostimulator procedure?
- The ReActiv8 procedure offers both pain relief and functional improvement. Long-term data indicates that many patients have been able to reduce or eliminate opioid medication and resume daily activities they were previously unable to do.
- Is the ReActiv8 neurostimulator procedure a first-line treatment for back pain?
- No, the ReActiv8 procedure is not a first-line treatment. It is indeed typically reserved for patients whose pain and dysfunction have not responded to physical therapy, medications, and injections, and whose conditions cannot be corrected surgically.
- How long does the ReActiv8 device implantation procedure take?
- The ReActiv8 implantation procedure is typically an outpatient procedure that takes between 45 and 60 minutes.
- How frequently enough do patients need to use the ReActiv8 device after implantation?
- Patients are instructed to use the ReActiv8 device twice daily for 30 minutes by placing the control device over the battery site.
- Can the ReActiv8 device be removed if needed?
- Yes, although the ReActiv8 implantation is considered permanent, the device can be removed if necessary.
