Cutting Chronic Pain Without Pills

New Technique Uses Ancient Technique To Tackle Brain's Response To Pain

(CBS)  There's new hope for people suffering from chronic pain, and that's the focus of our new series, "Easing the Pain." For the first installment, CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook examines a way to cut pain without using medication - instead, it employs an ancient technique: applying electricity.

---

When Detective Thomas Tobin was busting bad guys for the New York City Police, he never imagined that his toughest adversary would turn out to be … pain.

"What I usually have constantly is a dull aching crushing pain like deep in my bones, as if my shin is in a vice or somebody is standing on my foot," he told CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook.

It all started 10 years ago after an operation for a knee injury.

"It was life-changing. I went from working constantly to not working at all," he said.

For years, his only relief was a cocktail of prescribed medications.

"I take about 35 pills a day," he said. "Every day."

Now he's trying something that might seem shocking: an electrical current applied to his head - part of a clinical trial at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York.

It's called TDCS, Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation. A small electrical current seems to work by affecting pain centers deep within the brain, somehow muffling the perception of pain. The main side effect so far is slight scalp irritation.

Tobin doesn't feel a shock, just a tingling sensation.

"In some way that nobody understands and still seems rather magical, pain might be reduced," said Dr. Russell Portenoy.

The idea dates back 2,000 years, when a Roman physician found he could relieve gout and headache by placing an electric fish on the scalp.

Since then, the technique has been refined.

"It's very early," Portenoy said. "And we don't know how effective it will be. We think it will be very safe."

Thirty years ago, electrodes were surgically implanted deep within the brain. Years later, on the surface. This new approach places them right on the scalp.

This kind of surface stimulation has shown promise in small studies of patients with fibromyalgia and spinal cord injury.

"The idea is when you get the treatment and it is successful and the pain gets better then you can start cutting down the on the medication, and see how low you can go" said Dr. Richard Cruciani.

Every few months, Tobin gets treatments 20 minutes a day for five days. He says his pain drops significantly after therapy and then slowly returns over time.

"I am in a lot less pain today and now it just feels as though I have a sunburn that is a few days old," he said.

This therapy is being tested at several centers around the world and more study is needed, but this new variation on an ancient concept is promising -- using electricity to try to zap the perception of pain.

Could this could work for all kinds of pain?

"That's the hope," says Lapook. "Whatever the cause, it dials down the pain on the brain center. With chronic pain you have to throw the kitchen sink at it. That means integrative medicine, acupuncture, massage, medication in as low doses as possible."

[kabco776]

This news is really encouraging! I have chronic pain in several places, but mostly in my legs and feet. Nerve damage as a result of car accidents, work accidents, etc. I have fibromyalgia too. Some days, it''s really hard to deal with the pain that never seems to go away! PLEASE, PLEASE help me find a way to have this new therapy. Some days, I come really close to dispair!!

[ellynvt]

Does anyone know if they''re trying this at Darmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire? I have fibromyalgia and seasonal affective disorder and the fight has gone out of me. Thank you.

[cslutes1]

Please let me know some of the hospitals/research centers where the TDCS techniques are being used.

[realjewel]

*Deac9, like you, I also suffer from RSD and have been for as many years as you. Since 1999 (so much for partying like it''s 1999, you know that Prince song lol). Like you, I''m interested in this too. Thank God hubby was watching the news on Ch.2 last night or else we probably would have never heard about this new treatment. I think it''s pretty interesting as well as, SAFE!! I was told a few years ago about using a stimulator, the one they implant into your body but after researching, watching a video on it as well as talking with people who had it done, I decided against it!! I''m not saying "not to do it" but for me, it seemed to risky. After seeing how this treatment is done, NO IMPLANTING, I got a bit excited I must admit. I hear you... NO ONE can really understand what life is like once you start to live with a chronic pain condition. Sure they can sympathize but truly understanding, they never will!! I was blessed to have married a man who, although he doesn''t fully understand what the pain feels like, he DOES understand how dibilitating (sp?) RSD is!! My family is also very understanding which helps. I say that only because I''ve met so many people who don''t have the understanding and support I have. I pray you''re one who does!!! ;) I hope and pray for this for EVERYONE who lives with chronic pain. Keep your chin up and continue to fight the fight even when you feel like you don''t have it in you!! You''ll be in my prayers. I hope and pray for a less painful day for you.. Peace

[rf35]

If you don''t want to wait for this technique to come to your local medical center, buy an electric eel and do it the way the Romans did. Plus, you can file a claim for the cost of the eel and aquarium with your health insurance company. Not that they would pay for this anyway...they''d just drop you for having a "pre-existing condition."
Why do they keep calling this new when it was being done 2000 years ago? Just because the electricity is coming from a machine instead of a fish? How does one come up with the idea of placing a fish on someones head to releive pain in the first place?

[gmjuri]

I live in Asheville, NC and suffer chronic pain. Please advise where the Transcranial Direct Current Stimulationse trials are being held (or could be held). Could my Pain Management physician and his patients participate in these trials?

Thank you

[j5kids]

My mother suffers from spinal stenosis, arthritis, total hips replaced, total knees replaced and foot drop. I would be interested in knowing if this could possibly help her and where it is available in our area, trial or otherwise.

[deac9]

I have had Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD/CRPS) since 1999. After many unsuccessful nerve blocks, I am now on two medications, Lyrica & Cymbalta, that are successful in helping me sleep, but I still struggle with pain even though it is improved. Those who have not suffered with RSD & other chronic pain cannot realize what our lives are like; how we must forfeit so much just to cope & endure, all the while hoping for some relief. I am very interested in this procedure.

[craftcr]

there is also a t.e.n.s. unit, info on webmd.com under chronic pain

[craftcr]

i had a 2 level fusion of my lower spine a year ago and have been undergoing treatments for chronic pain ever since. last month i had a spinal chord stimulator implant done, it worked for 3 weeks and then the leads moved and the implant had to be removed. the implant took 85% of pain away but if leads move it can cause more pain. i am back on meds.

[sganderson]

I have been diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Disease(RSDS/CRPS)about 2 years ago. Living with the pain 24/7 pain and dealing with taking heavy drugs but does not seem to help. On the average I get about 2 to 4 hours of sleep. I would like to know if this new break through would work on someone like me and where can I go to get more information. Is it offered here in Utah. Please let me know as soon as you can. Thank you!

[sganderson]

I have been diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Disease(RSDS/CRPS)about 2 years ago. Living with the pain 24/7 pain and dealing with taking heavy drugs but does not seem to help. On the average I get about 2 to 4 hours of sleep. I would like to know if this new break through would work on someone like me and where can I go to get more information. Is it offered here in Utah. Please let me know as soon as you can. Thank you!

[sganderson]

I have been diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Disease(RSDS/CRPS)about 2 years ago. Living with the pain for about 3 years now. 24/7 pain and dealing with taking heavy drugs but does not seem to help. I''m still miserable and on the average I get about 2 to 4 hours of sleep. This is wearing on me and I would like to know if this new break through would work on someone like me and where can I go to get more information. Is it offered here in Utah. Please let me know as soon as you can. Thank you!

[sganderson]

I have been diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Disease(RSDS/CRPS)about 2 years ago. Living with the pain for about 3 years now. 24/7 pain and dealing with taking heavy drugs but does not seem to help. I''m still miserable and on the average I get about 2 to 4 hours of sleep. This is wearing on me and I would like to know if this new break through would work on someone like me and where can I go to get more information. Is it offered here in Utah. Please let me know as soon as you can. Thank you!

[redravem51]

I would like to know more about this treatment and clinical trials I may get into. I have suffered mod to severe pain in legs and feet since a spinal fusion 4 years ago. Pain mangagement takes the edge off sometimes, but I''m wearing down fast now, don''t know how long can hang in there. Please contact with info

[mdell27]

perkypat,
Do a web search on "Transcranial direct current stimulation" I was able to find some information on it.

[perkypat-2009]

I would like to know more about this about pain relief. I suffer from acute chronic pain 24/7. Can anyone help me find the study being held. Please if anyone knows about this pain relief, please respond.