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Neuromodulation therapy as seen on 60 Minutes. 10th April 2007

“Suffering from dreadful migraines, crushing headaches that, on one occasion, almost killed her.”
“Pills, even injections, are useless. Nothing eases the pain.” Sam Perkins, 60 Minutes, 8/04/07.

Sound familiar? If it does, if you've ever had a really bad headache you'll be astounded by what happens next. As Liam Bartlett tells in his story on 60 Minutes, of how an amazing implantable device changed Sam and Kieren Perkin's lives forever.

Severe migraine is one of the most prevalent pain problems. “Sam's migraines begin at the base of her skull around what's called the occipital nerves. Two tiny electrodes will be surgically implanted on top of those nerves. They'll be connected by a wire down Sam's spine to a pacemaker in her stomach. The pacemaker will send electric shocks to the nerves to help block out the pain.” Liam
Bartlett.

MSC has the most experience and is the leading group in Victoria offering this procedure for patients suffering migraines and chronic daily headaches.

Metro Spinal Clinic aims to provide the best available care and management for patients with chronic and recurrent spinal and referred pain. Our physicians are committed to professional development and collaboration with the international spine medicine community. Metro Spinal Clinic has worked hard to become leaders in the field of spinal pain medicine and will continue to maintain the highest levels of clinical and technical competence.

Dr David Vivian: Interventional Pain Physician, MBBS FAFMM GDMM MM (Pain Medicine)
Dr Paul Verrills: Interventional Pain Physician, MBBS FAFMM GDMM (Hons) MPainMed
Dr Bruce Mitchell: Sport & Interventional Pain Physician, MBBS FACSM FACSP FASMF MPainMed

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) involves delivering a low voltage electrical impulse to the spinal cord to block the sensation of pain. It is a treatment generally reserved for severe intractable lower back and leg pains that have not responded to the usual conservative treatment. The stimulation is provided by way of two small wires that are inserted into the spinal canal under x-ray control. These small wires are connected to a lead that runs around the side of the trunk to the stimulator unit itself, which is implanted into the buttock. Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) treatment is an option for anyone with singular or multiple areas of relatively circumscribed neuropathic pain. The exact mechanism by which peripheral nerve stimulation works is unknown, but the main theory is that the electrical current and magnetic fields from the stimulator blocks the nociceptive (pain) fibres in the area from firing. Even a widespread area of pain can be generated from a relatively small area of nociceptive fibres. For more information visit: http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/sixtyminutes