ActiPatch ...one of five breakthrough technologies
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With opioid epidemic on the rise, medical researchers and professionals are continuously on the lookout for alternative methods to provide relief to patients with chronic pain.
In this article, Dr. Tom Macek shares with you the five breakthrough technologies that are helping patients manage their pain.
1. HEAT Pain Pro™ TENS Device
The HEAT Pain Pro combines heat with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or TENS to relieve chronic muscle and joint pain. The most remarkable thing about this device is that it is available over the counter at any drug store.
TENS provide pain relief by transmitting electrical pulses across the skin and alongside nerves, therefore, preventing the brain from receiving any pain signals. The electrical stimulation also releases endorphins in the body which are a natural pain reliever.
Even though this technique is already in use by physical therapists around the world, the HEAT Pain Pro is the first device of its kind available for consumers. Before the advent of this technology, TENS was only conducted by doctors and health care specialists.
2. Radiofrequency Ablation Devices
Radiofrequency therapy is the use of medium frequency (350-500 kHz) alternating current device to generate heat and enervate tissues that make up the peripheral nervous system. If the therapy is completed using a catheter then we call it radiofrequency catheter ablation. This process is minimally invasive and a substitute for surgery.
The demand for radiofrequency ablation is projected to increase in the near future due to the increasing numbers of people suffering from chronic pain and the steadily rising population of geriatric patients. A study conducted by researchers in 2014 revealed that more than half the patients from a group of 77 felt relief from pain for up to 6 months following the radiofrequency therapy.
The pros of choosing this technology include avoiding all complications, recovery time and adverse effects related to surgery. Another added benefit is that the device is easily available and cost-efficient.
3. ActiPatch®
Another non-invasive is the electroceutical device ActiPatch that makes the use of electromagnetic fields to moderate nerve activity and reduce the perception of pain by the human brain. The device sends signals at a frequency of 1 kHz into the site of pain to keep the brain from getting used to the stimulus.
4. BurstDR Stimulation
BurstDR was designed by a physician to simulate the spinal cord by providing “bursts” of pulses with patterns similar to natural nerve impulse which is what distinguishes it from other spinal cord simulations (SCS).
This technology introduced the burst mode to keep the human body from adapting to SCS therapy and becoming tolerant to the simulation which is a common problem with SCS.
5. Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality environments engage patients in a full-body sensory experience. They are different from the usual movies and games because there are more interactions and immersions of the individuals and VR requires maximum attention from the brain.
Patients are made to wear VR headsets and dive into a 360-degree world of “Cool” where they can toss fish and play with otters in a breathtakingly beautiful landscape.
Image Source: https://pixabay.com/en/nerves-cells-dendrites-sepia-791393/
https://www.drtommacek.com/blog/5-new-technol...ain-relief
About Tom Macek, MD:
Dr. Tom Macek is a pain management specialist honored to provide custom care to men and women from in and around Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His personable nature combined with expertise gathered from nearly two decades in medical practice is why Dr. Macek is among the most highly sought-after pain care physicians in the region.
Education is of the utmost importance to Dr. Macek. His early studies took place at McGill University in Montreal and SUNY in Albany. He studied medicine at Zagreb Medical School in Croatia, where he also completed an internship.
Once Dr. Macek emigrated to America, he completed an internship in internal medicine at Albany Medical Center and a residency in anesthesiology at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He further refined his skills with a pain management fellowship at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Dr. Macek is board-certified in anesthesia and pain management. He continues to seek out opportunities to learn and broaden his understanding of the latest pain management tools and techniques.
Dr. Macek has recruited an excellent support staff. From nursing staff to the administrative team that keeps his office running, you can rest assured you’re in great hands during your visits. All team members share the same passion for individualized, compassionate care in a warm and welcoming environment.
If you’re struggling with pain and are looking for a path toward healthy, pain-free function, contact Dr. Macek’s office to book an appointment today. There’s no better time to begin, and scheduling is as simple as a quick phone call or a few moments using the online scheduling tool.