The Mayo Clinic defines a spinal cord injury as “damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal.” The injury may be anything from a spinal cord that is bruised, but intact, to a completely severed spinal cord. Sounds painful? It is. In fact, the most debilitating pain is typically the presence of sharp, shooting, and burning sensations that are often spontaneous.
Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center reports that car crashes are a leading cause of injury. Falls are also a significant cause, particularly among older people. Acts of violence (mostly gunshot wounds) account for approximately 11% of spinal cord injuries. Sports and other recreational activities are another common cause. Athletes such as skiers, gymnasts, divers, surfers and hockey players also have a higher risk of SCI. Individuals with diseases of the bones and joints, such as arthritis, osteoporosis, and cancer are more likely to have spinal cord injuries.
How Spinal Cord Injuries are Treated
Traditionally treatment options for patients suffering from spinal cord injury pain are limited to either pharmacological treatments or non-pharmacologic approaches or a combination of both. A variety of medications have been used for the treatment of spinal cord injury pain. However, these medications are rarely consistently effective, and treatment protocols that produce complete pain relief have never been established.
Non-pharmacologic approaches include electrical stimulation of various structures in the central nervous system. Pain relief occurs almost immediately after onset of such stimulation in approximately 50% of patients and persists after the stimulation has stopped. However, mixed outcomes and varied success rates are observed.
Non-Invasive Pain Relief that Works!
A spinal cord injury can be traumatic and painful, and can adversely change many aspects of your life. It may affect your ability to walk, continue your employment and enjoy your life to the fullest. While there are treatments, the extent of recovery is uncertain. As a result of a spinal cord injury, your life and your future may be forever altered.
If you’re suffering from a spinal cord injury or any form of acute or chronic pain, and are looking for a way to alleviate or eliminate your pain altogether, we are here to help with a permanent, non-invasive solution.