
Boston (DbTechNo) – Results of a new study show that nerve stimulation is no use when it comes to reducing lower back pain.
This latest study finding contradicts other studies which have shown the technique to be helpful for people with lower back pain.
A type of nerve stimulation called transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation or TENS is often recommended for people suffering from chronic lower back pain but study results show the treatment to be ineffective.
The study, performed by Dr. Richard M. Dubinsky of the University of Kansas Medical Center and Dr. Janis Miyasaki of Canada’s Toronto Western Hospital featured multiple studies that the researchers analyzed pertaining to lower back pain and associated treatments.
Their data analysis showed that there was no true benefit to the nerve stimulation when it came to reducing back pain for patients suffering from the condition.
Not all the news was bad regarding the nerve stimulation technique.
Those results do indicate that the treatment is effective for people diagnosed with diabetic nerve pain, also called diabetic neuropathy, so not all the news is bad.
Two studies analyzed by the researchers prove that the nerve stim technique does indeed reduce symptoms of diabetic nerve pain.
The study is published in the journal Neurology.
I have degenerative disc disease & two herniated discs (L4-L5, & L5-S1) which cause sciatic nerve problems & lower back pain. My physical therapist employ nerve stimulation at the end of each session, and despite what this study reports, I enjoy relief for the rest of the day, and some times for multiple days. I also own a TENS unit which gives me relief even without my therapists manipulation. My father had an internal tens unit installed which turned off his pain completely. I do wonder whether or not those who create studies like this one fail to gather enough information or perhaps enter the study with a bias and only focus on data that confirms their desired results.