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Crestwood unveils options to relieve chronic pain
Crestwood Medical Center has announced two new procedures for dealing with chronic pain. CONTRIBUTED
HUNTSVILLE – Crestwood Medical Center now offers two new procedures that provide relief for patients experiencing chronic pain.
Cooled Radiofrequency (RF) Treatment and Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) Stimulation can give hope to patients with pain problems.
Chronic pain affects more than 100 million Americans, a higher rate than heart disease, cancer and diabetes combined, according to the Institute of Medicine. Research suggests the condition costs the American population an estimated 515 million workdays annually and generates upwards of 40 million visits to physicians each year.
Most patients with chronic pain try managing symptoms with oral anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections and physical therapy. However, these procedures offer only a short-term solution.
“Chronic pain can be unbearable, persistent and also difficult to treat. Many people suffering from pain try multiple remedies to ease their symptoms, including injections, surgery and narcotics, but experience limited or no lasting pain relief,” Dr. Michael Cosgrove said.
Cosgrove, who coordinates procedures for chronic pain at Crestwood, said both procedures “offer safe and effective treatment and more long-lasting pain relief for many patients and help them to get back to enjoying their everyday lives.”
Cooled Radiofrequency (RF) treatment is designed to treat chronic pain lasting for longer than three months. Four out of five American adults experience chronic lower back pain and have spent $50 billion each year trying to treat it.
Cooled RF is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure and uses cooled radiofrequency (RF) energy to safely target the sensory nerves that are causing pain. Treatment can help for up to 24 months.
Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) Stimulation uses a new neurostimulation device designed to relieve pain sensation. DRG’s spinal structure is densely populated with sensory nerves that transmit information to the brain by the spinal cord.
Implanted into the spine, the device delivers mild electrical impulses that target specific areas of pain and blocks pain signals from travelling to the brain. DRG Stimulation patients experience either a comfortable tingling sensation or no feeling of pain in the area.
For more information, call Cosgrove at 256-539-2728 or visit CrestwoodMedCenter.com.
