New Technology Offers Relief For Chronic Pain (NAPSA)—TIf you are one of the millions of Americans who suffer from chronic pain, a new medical technology may now allow you to enjoy a more normal life and active lifestyle. Chronic pain is pain that continues beyond the usual recovery period for an injury orillness, or pain that continues for monthsor years due to a persistent condition. From difficulty sleeping, walking and exercising, to the inability to work, drive or socialize, people with chronic pain are affected in many ways, with approximately one-in-four pain sufferers reporting strained or broken relationships with family and friends. Spinal Cord Stimulator Precisely Targets Pain A new type of implantable, FDA-approved device called the Precision Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) from Advanced Bionics, a Boston Scientific company, now offers new hope to sufferers of chronic pain. It is a powerful new technology that will finally provide chronic pain sufferers with a treatment option that is comfortable, long lasting andeffective. A small, surgically implanted device delivers tiny signals to the spinal cord to mask pain signals that would normally travel to the brain. The stimulation reduces pain by creating a tingling sensation over the pain area—a process called paresthesia. Instead of feeling pain, the patient feels a more Big Gain On Pain—New technol- ogy may help chronic pain sufferers resume normal activity. pleasant sensation. Using patented current steer- ing technology, the Precision SCS System is designed to more precisely control pain and enable patients to adjust the stimulation to specifically target multiple areas of pain whererelief is most needed. Added benefits of the new SCS technology are its small size, allowing it to be implanted unobtrusively and its rechargeable battery designed to last at least five years. This may reduce the number of battery-replacement surgeries a patient undergoes in his or herlifetime with traditional SCS technology and offers longlasting, precise pain relief. For more information on chronic pain and the Precision SCS system, talk to your doctor, visit www.ControlYourPain.com or call 1-877-FEEL-AOK.
