Groundbreaking neurostimulation technology offers hope and healing for difficult-to-manage pain.
Chronic low back pain, a formidable foe causing disability and soaring healthcare costs, now faces a promising breakthrough. A recent study unveils a surprising protagonist in the realm of back pain, introducing a groundbreaking restorative approach that boasts clinically proven “substantial and durable” benefits for the multitude grappling with this persistent affliction.
Meet individuals like war veteran Eric Osborne, whose life was nearly shattered by unrelenting back pain. Osborne expresses feeling “incredibly fortunate” to have undergone the innovative treatment, sharing that his pain has all but vanished.
A visionary team comprising researchers, physicians, and medical device specialists has harnessed the power of an established device—the implantable neurostimulator. This cutting-edge approach targets the multifidus spinal muscles, providing a unique avenue for restorative therapy and enhancing muscular functions and stability.
Renowned researcher Dr. Christopher Gilligan, Associate Chief Medical Officer at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, leads the charge. His long-term follow-up study reveals that restorative neurostimulation over a five-year period yields substantial and enduring benefits, boasting a favorable safety profile for patients plagued by refractory chronic low back pain linked to multifidus muscle dysfunction. Describing the study, Professor Gilligan states that from their baseline state to their five year outcomes, on average patients’ pain went from severe to low back pain remitter status, their function went from being right at the border of moderate and severely disabled to minimally disabled and their health-related quality of life returned to nearly normal. In addition, 43% of the patients on opioids stopped them entirely and 23% reduced them. Many of our patients say, “I got my life back” according to Gilligan who is now Chief Medical Officer, Chief Quality Officer and Senior Vice President at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.
Global disability statistics underscore the urgency for improved treatments as chronic low back pain becomes a mounting economic burden, estimated at a staggering $625 billion. Amid an aging global population, the need for effective interventions grows more pressing, especially considering that many patients receive ineffective or inappropriate treatments, deviating from established management guidelines.
Interestingly, the multifidus, a muscle group flanking the spine, emerges as a central player in chronic low back pain. While it is logical to maintain the health and conditioning of this crucial muscle for pain-free activity, researchers find that injury or chronic conditions inhibit the multifidus, leading to atrophy and degeneration over time.
This multifaceted study not only identifies the multifidus as a linchpin in chronic low back pain but also introduces an innovative therapeutic approach. By stimulating just one spinal segment with the neurostimulator, researchers achieve restorative benefits across the entire lumbar spine.
For individuals like Eric Osborne, a former Marine whose life spiraled due to chronic back pain, the multifidus stimulation study marks a turning point. Restorative neurostimulation revived his weakened multifidus muscles, bringing substantial pain relief and enabling a return to regular exercise. Osborne’s success story underscores the transformative potential of this groundbreaking approach, offering hope to millions seeking respite from the throes of chronic back pain.
Low back pain causes more disability in the world than any other condition. As the global population ages, there is an urgent need for better treatments. Additionally the economic burden of chronic low back pain continues to grow. The total economic burden of chronic low back pain has been estimated to be as high as $625 billion. Patients use a variety of health system resources including multiple outpatient visits, emergency rooms and various medications.
Experts indicate that many patients with chronic low back pain receive ineffective or inappropriate treatment. “Contrary to management guidelines, most patients used opioids, and several non-pharmacologic therapies were used by only a few patients” state authors in the journal Spine.
It is estimated that 540 million people around the world suffer from low back pain and that 1 in 8 Americans will be diagnosed with low back pain. Often people think immediately of surgery, however only about 10 percent of back pain patients are candidates for an operation. This suggests that many millions need other therapies. Additionally, research suggests that 20 to 40 percent of back surgeries are not successful, again indicating the need for better treatments.
The multifidus is a group of muscles that are located on either side of the spine. It provides stability and strength to the lower back, and plays a key role in stabilizing the lumbar spine when lifting objects.
A new insight is that the multifidus may be the central player in many people’s chronic low back pain. Researchers found that the multifidus muscle will be inhibited by injury or chronic conditions, which will cause it to atrophy and over time and actually degenerate. Eventually the muscle is replaced by fatty deposits leading to more dysfunction.
Multiple types of issues may cause dysfunction leading to atrophy of the multifidus muscle and chronic low back pain. Some of these conditions are herniated or degenerative discs, arthritis, spinal stenosis, general muscle strain or sprain, or just poor posture. These problems have been known to be associated with chronic low back pain, but now the mechanism and role of the multifidus is better understood.
The multifidus stimulation study is an innovative approach to provide restorative therapy with the goal of improving function and reducing pain. Interestingly, the researchers examined the effects of stimulating multiple spinal levels and found that just one spinal segment needed to be targeted with the neurostimulator in order to deliver restorative benefits to the entire lumbar spine.
Neurostimulation of the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion are widely used to treat “neuropathic” or nerve-based pain, as well as more advanced conditions like persistent spinal pain syndrome and complex regional pain syndromes. The procedure involves placing a small programmable battery and tiny coated electrodes in proximity to nerves so the electrical impulses help block pain signals. However, this novel approach using the neurostimulator actually helps restore muscle function. The electrodes are placed in the multifidus and the impulses help strengthen the muscles and restore functionality and stability to the entire spine.
Eric Osborne is a former marine who was debilitated by chronic back pain, leading to job loss and eventually became an “emotional wreck.” was able to benefit from restorative neurostimulation that helped bring back function to his weakened multifidus muscles. After the procedure his pain was substantially under control and Eric was able to return to regular exercise and regain control of his life.