Carolinas Pain Institute

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Peripheral Nerve Stimulation

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Chronic Pain Relief

Chronic pain can strip away the life you've worked hard to build—limiting your mobility, disrupting your sleep, and making even simple daily tasks feel impossible. Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) is an advanced, minimally invasive therapy designed to interrupt pain signals at their source, offering meaningful relief for patients who haven't responded to conventional treatments. At Carolinas Pain Institute, our specialists are committed to delivering personalized, evidence-based pain care that helps patients reclaim their quality of life. If you're living with persistent nerve pain, Peripheral Nerve Stimulation may be the solution you've been searching for.

What Is Peripheral Nerve Stimulation?

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation is a neuromodulation therapy that delivers mild electrical impulses directly to targeted peripheral nerves—the nerves located outside the brain and spinal cord. These electrical signals work by disrupting the transmission of pain signals before they reach the brain, effectively reducing or eliminating the sensation of chronic pain.

Unlike Spinal Cord Stimulation, which targets the spinal cord itself, Peripheral Nerve Stimulation is applied at the level of the specific peripheral nerve responsible for a patient's pain. This makes it a highly targeted, site-specific approach that can be particularly effective for localized chronic pain conditions.

PNS therapy typically involves:

A trial phase - A temporary lead is placed near the affected peripheral nerve to evaluate how well the patient responds to stimulation before committing to a permanent device.

Implantation phase - If the trial is successful, a small, long-term device is implanted to deliver ongoing stimulation.

Ongoing management - Settings can be adjusted over time to optimize pain relief based on the patient's evolving needs.

Conditions Treated With Peripheral Nerve Stimulation

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation is used to treat a wide range of chronic pain conditions involving peripheral nerves. Patients who have not found adequate relief through medications, physical therapy, or other interventional procedures are often strong candidates for PNS therapy.

Conditions commonly treated include:

  • Chronic limb pain (including post-amputation or residual limb pain)
  • Occipital neuralgia and chronic headaches
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Post-surgical nerve pain
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
  • Sports-related or traumatic nerve injuries
  • Chronic low back pain (particularly when a peripheral nerve component is identified)
  • Shoulder, knee, or joint pain with a nerve involvement

If you have been managing persistent pain without satisfactory results, these chronic pain treatment options may be worth exploring with a specialist.

PNS Devices and Technologies We Work With

The field of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation has advanced significantly in recent years, with several innovative devices now available that offer targeted, effective, and minimally disruptive pain relief. At Carolinas Pain Institute, our providers stay current with the latest PNS technologies to ensure patients have access to the most appropriate and effective options.

Some of the leading PNS platforms include:

Nalu Medical - Offers a micro-stimulator system designed for peripheral nerve applications, featuring a small, flexible device profile suited for a variety of nerve targets and body locations.

SPR Therapeutics / Sprint PNS System - A percutaneous PNS system that uses a temporary, non-implanted lead approach for treating acute and chronic pain conditions, including post-amputation pain and musculoskeletal pain.

Mainstay Medical / ReActiv8 - Focuses on restorative neurostimulation for chronic low back pain by targeting the medial branch nerves that control deep stabilizing muscles of the lumbar spine, helping to restore neuromuscular control and reduce pain.

Your care team will work closely with you to determine which PNS system, if any, best aligns with your diagnosis, anatomy, and treatment goals.

How the PNS Trial Process Works

Before committing to a long-term implanted system, most patients undergo a PNS trial to evaluate effectiveness. This approach protects patients from unnecessary procedures and helps ensure the therapy is genuinely beneficial before any permanent steps are taken.

Here's what to expect during the trial process:

  • Consultation and evaluation - Your provider will conduct a thorough review of your medical history, pain patterns, imaging results, and prior treatments to determine if you are a candidate.
  • Trial lead placement - A thin, flexible lead is placed near the targeted peripheral nerve under imaging guidance. This is typically an outpatient procedure performed with local anesthesia.
  • Trial period - Over the course of one to four weeks (depending on the device), you'll use the system and track your pain levels, functional improvements, and overall quality of life.
  • Outcome assessment - If you experience significant pain reduction during the trial, your provider will discuss next steps, which may include permanent implantation or continued therapy using a non-implanted system.

This structured, evidence-based approach ensures every patient receives individualized care rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.

Who Is a Candidate for Peripheral Nerve Stimulation?

Not every chronic pain patient is automatically a candidate for PNS therapy. A thorough evaluation is essential to determine whether this approach is appropriate for your specific situation.

You may be a strong candidate if you:

  • Have been diagnosed with a chronic pain condition involving a specific peripheral nerve
  • Have not achieved adequate relief from conservative treatments such as medications, physical therapy, or nerve blocks
  • Are in generally good health and able to undergo a minor outpatient procedure
  • Are willing and able to participate in a structured trial phase
  • Do not have active infections, bleeding disorders, or other contraindications to implantable devices

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation may not be appropriate if you:

  • Have a pacemaker or other implanted electronic device that could be affected by electrical stimulation
  • Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
  • Have unresolved psychological conditions that are contributing to or complicating your pain experience
  • Have an active infection at or near the proposed implant site

A comprehensive evaluation by a qualified pain specialist is the best way to determine whether PNS is right for you.

What to Expect: Recovery and Ongoing Care

One of the advantages of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation is its minimally invasive nature. Most patients experience minimal downtime after lead placement and can resume light activities relatively quickly.

Recovery considerations include:

  • Post-procedure restrictions - Patients are typically advised to limit strenuous activity and avoid getting the area wet immediately after lead placement.
  • Device management - Depending on the system, patients may use an external controller to adjust stimulation settings within prescribed parameters.
  • Follow-up appointments - Regular follow-up visits allow your care team to optimize stimulation settings and monitor your overall progress.
  • Long-term outcomes - Many patients experience sustained pain reduction, improved function, and a reduced reliance on pain medications over time.

Results can vary depending on the individual, the condition being treated, and the specific device used. Your provider will set realistic expectations based on your unique clinical profile.

Why Choose Carolinas Pain Institute for Peripheral Nerve Stimulation?

Choosing the right provider for Peripheral Nerve Stimulation matters. This therapy requires precise anatomical knowledge, advanced technical skill, and a deep commitment to patient-centered care.

Carolinas Pain Institute brings together a team of fellowship-trained pain specialists with extensive experience in neuromodulation therapies, including PNS. Our team takes the time to understand each patient's full pain picture—not just their diagnosis—before recommending any interventional approach. With offices in North Carolina, we serve patients from a broad geographic area who are seeking expert pain care.

Here's what sets our approach apart:

01

Comprehensive Evaluations

We don't rush to procedures. Every patient receives a thorough diagnostic workup before any treatment is recommended.

02

Access to Leading PNS Technology

We work with multiple PNS platforms to match patients with the best-fit solution for their condition.

03

Collaborative Care

Our providers coordinate with referring physicians, physical therapists, and other specialists to ensure a well-rounded treatment plan.

04

Patient Education

We believe informed patients make better decisions. We take time to explain your options clearly and answer every question.

05

Outcomes Focused

Our goal isn't just to provide treatment—it's to help you achieve measurable improvements in pain, function, and quality of life.

Take the Next Step Toward Lasting Pain Relief

Living with chronic nerve pain is exhausting—and you deserve a real path forward. Peripheral Nerve Stimulation has helped many patients significantly reduce their pain and regain the freedom to engage fully in their lives again.

If you're ready to explore whether Peripheral Nerve Stimulation is right for you, the team at Carolinas Pain Institute is here to help. Schedule a consultation today to speak with one of our pain specialists, receive a thorough evaluation, and find out whether PNS therapy could be the breakthrough your pain management journey has been missing.

Call us or request an appointment online. Your next chapter starts with one conversation.