Robert's Story*

“I was apprehensive,” says Robert of the moment his doctor suggested he try neurostimulation. “I’d never heard of it before.” Robert asked a lot of questions about the therapy and eventually decided to try it. It would mark a turning point in his struggle with chronic pain.

Robert’s need for pain relief grew out of a back injury he suffered while lifting a printer at work. In his 30s at the time, he later had two surgeries to correct his condition but still found he couldn’t stand for more than 15 minutes without experiencing terrible pain. The pain was so bad that he avoided simple things like riding in a car or doing yardwork. “I basically couldn’t do anything,” he says. “I was just making sure that I didn’t hurt.”

After a neurostimulation trial gave him “absolutely marvelous” relief, Robert had a permanent stimulator implanted. Since then, everyday acts are more doable. He can even take long trips to see his relatives, who “can’t believe the difference” that his stimulator has made for him. Before, he needed a cane or a wheelchair to get around. Now he uses neither. “It’s like night and day,” he says.

Although Robert must take care not to lift anything heavy, “I can do what I need to do.” He recharges his device about once a week and communicates fully with his doctor about his therapy. Currently taking about a quarter of the pain medications he used to, Robert hopes to be completely off his meds in the coming months. With the help of his stimulator, he thinks he can reach that goal.  

*The above testimonial is the experience of this individual only. It is an individual result and we do not claim that it is representative of the experience that all or most patients achieve and is not indicative of future performance or success.

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