In a session at the 11th Annual Orthopedic, Spine and Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference in Chicago on June 14, Frank Kousaie, MD, an anesthesiologist at Crystal Clinic in Akron, Ohio, discussed the use of electrical anesthesia and how this technique may be utilized by pain management physicians.
Dr. Kousaie uses electroanalgesia to help patients with various types of pain, including pain from an injury, neuropathy and chronic pain. The non-opioid technique delivers electrical stimulation that is applied transcutaneously (through the skin) via suction-cup devices attached to an electroanalgesic delivery system. The transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation depolarizes nerve cells and reduces the ability of the nerve cells to transmit pain signals to the brain, Dr. Kousaie explained.
Typically, patients receive a couple hours of relief following the first treatment, but treatments are cumulative, Dr. Kousaie said, adding that many of his patients have reported 70-90 percent pain relief after a series of 10-15 treatments.
In addition to TENS, there are other types of electroanalgesia techniques being used today, including spinal cord stimulation and percutaneous electric nerve stimulation (which uses needle-like electrodes to direct the electric current).
Dr. Kousaie then shared some benefits of electroanalgesia. First, the technique allows metabolic activity to continue. "The cell can maintain normal cellular function with sustained depolarization," he said. It also promotes healing by allowing oxygen exchange to continue. Additionally, because it is a non-opioid, it does not create the "fog" that patients sometimes experience with those medications. The treatment "can be utilized in patients with multiple medical problems and on multiple medications," he added.
In his practice, Dr. Kousaie uses TENS alone or in conjunction with standard injections and sometimes acupuncture. TENS is reimbursed by Medicare, but commercial coverage varies.
Dr. Kousaie closed the session by explaining that electroanalgesia is party of a multi-modal approach to pain management. "Electroanalgesia, part of balanced pain management approach," he said.
Dr. Kousaie uses electroanalgesia to help patients with various types of pain, including pain from an injury, neuropathy and chronic pain. The non-opioid technique delivers electrical stimulation that is applied transcutaneously (through the skin) via suction-cup devices attached to an electroanalgesic delivery system. The transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation depolarizes nerve cells and reduces the ability of the nerve cells to transmit pain signals to the brain, Dr. Kousaie explained.
Typically, patients receive a couple hours of relief following the first treatment, but treatments are cumulative, Dr. Kousaie said, adding that many of his patients have reported 70-90 percent pain relief after a series of 10-15 treatments.
In addition to TENS, there are other types of electroanalgesia techniques being used today, including spinal cord stimulation and percutaneous electric nerve stimulation (which uses needle-like electrodes to direct the electric current).
Dr. Kousaie then shared some benefits of electroanalgesia. First, the technique allows metabolic activity to continue. "The cell can maintain normal cellular function with sustained depolarization," he said. It also promotes healing by allowing oxygen exchange to continue. Additionally, because it is a non-opioid, it does not create the "fog" that patients sometimes experience with those medications. The treatment "can be utilized in patients with multiple medical problems and on multiple medications," he added.
In his practice, Dr. Kousaie uses TENS alone or in conjunction with standard injections and sometimes acupuncture. TENS is reimbursed by Medicare, but commercial coverage varies.
Dr. Kousaie closed the session by explaining that electroanalgesia is party of a multi-modal approach to pain management. "Electroanalgesia, part of balanced pain management approach," he said.