Welcome to this podcast episode featuring Dr. Tony Mork, an esteemed endoscopic spinal surgeon, speaker, and inventor. In this episode, Dr. Mork will discuss an intriguing article presented at the American Academy of Surgeons meeting in New Orleans. The article sheds light on the treatment of chronic low back pain in individuals aged 65 and older, a significant issue that affects 1.5 million people in the United States. Among this age group, chronic low back pain is considered the second most disabling condition, trailing only arthritis.
Dr. Mork delves deeper into a well-designed study that investigated the effectiveness of TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) units in treating low back pain. He provides a comprehensive explanation of how these devices function by delivering light electrical stimulation to superficial nerves, consequently blocking the deeper pain sensations.
The study, led by Michael Minshall, Master of Public Health, compared the outcomes of statistically matched groups of individuals using TENS units and those who did not. The results revealed that the group using TENS units experienced less back pain, had fewer visits to clinics, required less diagnostic studies, and had reduced hospitalizations and surgeries. This study suggests that TENS units may be a promising non-invasive treatment option for managing chronic low back pain in older adults.
Throughout the episode, Dr. Mork also discusses the findings of past studies on TENS units, which have demonstrated mixed results. Some studies have shown benefits, while others have reported limited effects or poor-quality evidence. He elaborates on the factors that may contribute to these discrepancies, such as study design, participant selection, and variations in the application of TENS units.
Dr. Mork will also explore the potential reasons behind the effectiveness of TENS units in treating chronic low back pain, such as the gate control theory of pain. This theory suggests that non-painful input, like the electrical stimulation provided by TENS units, can close the "gates" to painful input, preventing pain sensation from traveling to the central nervous system. This mechanism could explain the pain relief experienced by older adults using TENS units in the study.
TENS Unit Video
I'm Dr. Tony Mork and I run an Endoscopic Spine Surgery practice in Irvine, California and Naples, FL. I avoid a fusion when possible (which is most situations) and provide treatments that actually address the pain without taking an invasive approach.
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