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While ice fishing on Lake Mille Lacs last year, Dallas hit a breaking point – quite literally.  “I was sick with pneumonia,” said the 45-year-old.  “While sitting out on the lake, I coughed my back out. I bent over and couldn’t stand up again.”  After suffereing years of chronic back pain, it was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

“My pain level was off the charts and I couldn’t walk at times,” said Dallas, who manages the office of a St. Paul trucking firm. “I was taking so much pain medicine, I was losing track of what I was doing at work. Most of the specialists I saw recommended surgery to have my lower back fused, but I felt I was too young to take that option,” said Dallas.

At Twin Cities Pain Clinic, Dallas was evaluated for neurostimulator therapy.  A neurostimulator is a small system placed under a patient’s skin like a pacemaker and it’s sometimes referred to as a “pacemaker for pain.” The neurostimulator generates mild electrical pulses along the spinal cord, replacing the feeling of pain with a tingling or massaging sensation.

In the first step of neurostimulation therapy, a patient has wire electrodes inserted through a needle so that they rest along the backside of the spinal cord.  The other end of the wires attach to a battery worn externally for a one week trial period.  “Dallas responded well to the trial, reporting that nearly 100 percent of his pain had been masked so we went ahead with surgery in which the wire electrodes and the battery are both implanted under the skin,” said Andrew Will, M.D., Twin Cities Pain Clinic.

After little more than a week post surgery, Dallas was back enjoying his favorite hobby. “I’ve been on the lake fishing every weekend since. I wish I had done this procedure six months ago,” said Dallas. “My pain level is probably a one and I am off all my pain medications.”   

The neurostimulator requires very little maintenance after surgery. Following six weeks of limiting bending and twisting until the electrodes are firmly in place, care is minimal. The device can be recharged in about an hour by wearing a special portable belt.  This is usually done once a week or once a month, depending on how much the patient chooses to have the device turned on.

To watch an informational video on the neurostimulator, click on Treatments/Pain Management Procedures.

The pain had been sitting just below the surface for some time while Gary continued working long hours as a corporate attorney.  And one day, the nagging condition at the base of his neck turned into acute pain. “It suddenly affected everything and I felt the pain all the time,” said Gary, age 65.  Even his favorite activity to unwind after work  – playing the piano - became impossible. “It felt uncomfortable playing even for a short time,” said Gary. A neurologist diagnosed it as a case of pinched nerves. 

“I came to Twin Cities Pain Clinic on the recommendation of my doctor. I received an epidural injection in the spinal area which helped considerably,” he said. Epidurals are given to reduce inflammation which can trigger spinal pain.  “I also started physical therapy work with Maureen Henderson. I thought she was extremely good,” said Gary.

The body is inherently asymmetrical. However, people in pain are unable to move in and out of the asymmetrical pattern, according to Maureen Henderson, P.T., P.R.C. “This results in biomechanical and muscular imbalances between the left and right sides of the body. The position of Gary’s pelvis, spine, ribs and cranium caused him to overuse the muscles in his neck and back which was a component in perpetuating Gary’s neck pain,” said Maureen.  Through a series of exercises known as Postural Restoration, Gary’s physical therapy work paid off.   

“In addition to core strengthening, we worked on deep breathing which was the most interesting part to me, as it dovetailed with my meditation practice.  As I continued to work on core strengthening and breathing, I kept getting consistently better,” said Gary.

Now two years later, Gary remains largely free of neck pain.  “I do the exercises for 30 minutes nearly every day.  As I see it, the alternative is to live in constant pain so it’s not a difficult decision for me to make.” He’s also been able to return to playing the piano. “I started piano when my kids were young.  It takes absolute concentration and I focus on nothing else. I would play three hours a day if I could. Maybe when I retire!”

To read more about TCPC’s Physical Therapy program, click on TREATMENTS/Physical Therapy.

Molly fell in her home a year ago. The resulting injury to her back was so damaging she couldn’t work for a month and the pain was debilitating. “It was excruciating. I couldn’t stand for long. I couldn’t sit for long. I couldn’t even drive a car because it just wasn’t safe,” said Molly, who is also a mother to three children ages 2, 9 and 16.  

A TCPC Nurse Practitioner prescribed Molly muscle relaxants and a trigger point injection in the back muscles to relieve some of the tension.  At the same time, Molly began physical therapy. “We worked on increasing my strength and flexibility in muscles supporting my back,” said Molly. After one month of weekly physical therapy sessions, Molly returned to work on a reduced schedule and began driving her car again. “My boss told me I look like I’m in the shape of a ‘C’ when I walk,” she laughed. That “C” shape is gradually straightening out as Molly continues weekly P.T. appointments while also keeping up an exercise program at home. “It’s a long process, but I do my home exercises faithfully every day for 45 minutes. I can feel that I’m getting better. My physical therapist is a genius,” said Molly, who adds that her P.T. program is always being revised as she makes strides in her rehabilitation.

Part of Molly’s program has included getting a home traction machine. Her exercise program repositions her pelvis and the manual therapy given in the clinic helps to restore her posterior mediastinal and right apical lung airflow. This lessens the demand on the accessory muscles of respiration which are often instrumental in perpetuating spinal pain. “It’s difficult. I do work at it and push myself, but not to the point where it’s painful,” said Molly.

Since her rehabilitation brings Molly to Twin Cities Pain Clinic about once a week, she has become very familiar with all the staff. “Everyone at the clinic, from Dr. Will to the receptionist, is phenomenal. They’re helpful, empathetic and just so nice.  And now that I’m working, they are very accommodating when it comes to scheduling which I appreciate,” said Molly. 

Former athlete finds relief with pain medicine

Margaret Baker-White, age 48, of Prior Lake, Minnesota, had been a competitive athlete since her teenage years. She ran on her high school varsity boys track team as a 9th grader and lettered in the sport. “The girls didn’t have many options when I was growing up so I played with the boys. The coaches trained me hard like a man too and it took a beating on my knees. I’m sure a lot of women athletes from my generation are feeling the pain for that reason,” said Margaret, who also played basketball and went on to compete in college as well. By age 40, she had a knee replacement, which required a revision 18 months later. Still it didn’t resolve her chronic pain. “I had been feeling horrible pain in my knees for 20 years, but because I was so young, most of the clinics just told me the pain must be all in my head,” she added.

Margaret found Twin Cities Pain Clinic and felt like her story was heard for the first time. “Dr. Will reviewed my entire history and listened. His staff started me on narcotics to treat the pain and it worked,” said Margaret. “I say this cautiously because of the reactions you get from people. But when you take the right dosage, the pain medicine doesn’t make you feel dopey, it just manages the pain. I feel like I am truly living brighter days again. My daughters and the entire family have watched me change over the years because of the constant pain. One daughter who lives in Tennessee said she wanted to get on a plane to fly to Minneapolis just so she could give Dr. Will a hug. Pain really does affect a family as a whole. I had been so depressed, I just wanted to lie on the couch. But that has all changed and my family sees it too.”

Now with her pain under control, Margaret has returned to the active lifestyle she enjoys. “I was just visiting my new grandson and I could pick him up without faltering,” smiled Margaret. In order to monitor her medications, Margaret comes to the clinic every 1 to 2 months. In addition to having her medications reviewed, the physical therapy staff checks Margaret’s posture both sitting, standing and walking. It was discovered she has a one inch height difference in her legs. Wearing a lift in her shoes has given Margaret greater balance and less strain on the knees. She’s also taken up low-impact activities to replace the running she loved. “I have learned to do low-impact exercises. I swim almost every day. I eat well and keep my weight down because I know any extra weight will also hurt my knees.”

“I have been through so much trying to find a doctor who I can talk to, and I am so happy to be a part of this clinic. Dr. Will and his staff have helped me so much. They are the kindest, most talented people I have had the honor of working with. I’m treated like a human being,” explained Margaret. “I’m having so much fun in my life now!”