Neurostimulation Therapy as a Treatment Option for Neuropathy

Neurostimulator patient Chuck Turner with Twin Cities Pain Clinic Nurse Practitioner Nancy Cleveland.

Chuck Turner is a retired welder who developed neuropathy as the result of an industrial accident while working as a welder at a nuclear plant. The accident happened years ago. And it was years before his peripheral neuropathy had advanced to the point where he could no longer sit, stand, or walk for an extended period of time. “The worst moment for me occurred in December 2009,” said Chuck of Minnetonka. “We were approaching Christmas and it was our tradition to drive down to Kansas to spend the holidays with my wife’s family. That year, we called to say we could not make the trip because my pain had made me practically bedridden.”

A month later, Chuck’s physician referred him to Twin Cities Pain Clinic for an evaluation for his chronic, wide-spread pain. “The staff was so patient with me as we explored different pain management options. And then we decided to try the neurostimulator which proved to be the lifesaver for me,” said Chuck.

The Importance of Sleep with Chronic Pain

Many chronic pain patients find themselves dealing with a host of side effects from their condition that interfere with their daily lives almost as much as the pain. Sleep disturbance is a frequent complaint of individuals dealing with chronic pain. Whether their pain keeps them awake at night, they have trouble finding a comfortable position, or they awaken during the night with pain, pain patients often forgo good sleep due to their conditions.

A number of studies have found that getting too little or poor-quality sleep can aggravate a chronic pain patient’s condition. This cycle of pain interfering with sleep and poor sleep aggravating pain makes it especially important for pain patients to sleep well. It’s important to get treatment for your difficulty sleeping – as well as for your physician to take your pain condition into account when treating your insomnia. Your treatment may consist of a combination of several approaches.

The Health Wire

The Right Way to Exercise with Chronic Pain

Many pain patients drastically cut down on their exercise routines - or skip working out completely - because they're in constant pain.

 

While many patients are bedridden with severe pain, less extreme cases can often benefit from exercise. Many low-impact exercises, like swimming or walking, can help you stay healthy and may actually reduce your pain.

 

It's important to consult with your physical therapist before beginning an exercise program. In addition to walking and water sports, your doctor or PT may also recommend yoga, pilates, stretches, or using low-impact exercise equipment like an exercise bike.

Do you know a loved one who suffers from pain?

Call TCPC at 952-841-2345