The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
Neuromodulation
THE USE OF ELECTRICAL STIMULATION TO ALTER NERVE ACTIVITY
Used to treat and enhance quality of life in individuals who suffer severe chronic illness due to persistent pain
About Neuromodulation
Neuromodulation is used to treat and enhance quality of life in individuals who suffer severe chronic illness due to persistent pain including:
- spinal injury
- movement disorders
- epilepsy
- ischaemia
- spasticity
- cardiac, bowel and bladder dysfunction
- visual, auditory and specific psychiatric disorders.
The treatment usually involves implanting a small device that delivers low-voltage electrical impulses to specific areas of the body. The impulses then alter pain signals in transit to the brain. By introducing stimulus to the nervous system, neuromodulation can increase or decrease nerve activity, helping to alleviate pain symptoms by normalising levels of activity in the brain.
Need to know
Neuromodulation treatment is normally carried out with a local anaesthetic. Your consultant will likely follow these steps:
- Implant a device called a neurostimulator. This is placed just under the skin of your buttock. The device is around the size of a £2 coin, and has a battery which lasts up to five years.
- A thin lead connected to the neurostimulator is also implanted in your lower back, at the base of your spine. This allows the device to control your muscles, which receive messages sent from your brain down the nerve routes of your spinal cord.
To ensure neuromodulation is suitable, your consultant will take you through an evaluation phase. This may include the following:
- A temporary wire is inserted. This wire is connected to an external device worn around your waist. This device sends stimulation messages to your nerves.
- You'll then need to record your activity for up to two weeks. After two weeks your consultant will discuss your results with you. They will ask how you felt with the device implanted, and if you experienced any side effects. This will determine the next approach of fitting your neurostimulator.
Recovery time varies for different neuromodulation treatments. Your consultant will advise you on when you can get back to your usual routine, including work or exercise. It is likely you will need to stay in hospital as an inpatient for a short time. When you are allowed to go home, your consultant will arrange for you to have a follow-up appointment. Implants are often fitted for the long term as their purpose is to help treat permanent conditions. As a result, their success as a treatment can be monitored on an ongoing basis.
Our Neuromodulation locations
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.