Sound and electrical stimulation for pain – healing practice

Chronic pain: promising combination therapy presented

An American research team recently presented a new combination therapy that has great potential for the treatment of chronic pain Has. The treatment starts electrical stimulation in combination with sound.

researchers of University of Minnesota have one as part of a current study new treatment for pain tested. The method relies on a combination of sound and electrical stimulation and is intended in particular to relieve pain in people with various chronic and neurological diseases. The results were recently published in the “Journal of Neural Engineering” presented.

New approach to chronic pain

A research group from the University of Minnesota found out that electrical stimulation in connection with sound causes the so-called somatosensory cortex of the brain activated. The research results suggest that the technology for Treatment of chronic pain and other sensory disorders suitable.

So far, however, the new treatment has only been tested on animals. Clinical trials are now also to be carried out on humans.

The brain region responsible for pain sensations is activated

The tests have already delivered promising results in guinea pigs. The animals were with broadband tones sonicated while various parts of the body were stimulated electrically or by needles.

Through the combined treatment were in the guinea pigs Neurons activated in the brain’s somatosensory cortex. This brain region is for touch and pain sensations responsible throughout the body.

Treatment could be done by TENS devices

The team considers it possible that the treatment with Devices for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can be carried out. TENS devices are already available in pharmacies or other specialist shops.

The working group hopes that the findings will lead to an easy-to-implement pain therapy that is safe and easily accessible and can support or, at best, even replace drug seeding.

Reduce use of painkillers

“Chronic pain is a major problem for many people, and for most it is not adequately treatable”emphasizes study lead author Cory Gloeckner.

“We are currently trying to treat pain with opioids, among other things”, Gloeckner continues. But opioids can be highly addictive, which is already a widespread problem in the United States.

According to Gloeckner, a medical device that stimulates sound and electrical impulses could be offered at low cost.

Approach could be complemented by music therapy

The researchers now want to take the approach one step further music therapy to see if the somatosensory cortex can be stimulated even more.

Many people with chronic pain have already had good experiences with electrical stimulation or acupuncture. “Our research shows that when you combine this with sound, the brain is even more activated”adds the head of studies Professor Hubert Lim finally. (vb)