Wearable Nerve Stimulator Improves Chronic Pain
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A noninvasive wearable nerve stimulator improves pain to the point of needing less analgesia in patients with neuropathy, arthritis, and other common forms of chronic pain, a new study shows. The stimulator, inserted into a slim, lightweight band and worn on the upper calf, stimulates sensory nerves, which carry neural pulses to the brain. The pulses trigger release of endogenous opioids within the spinal cord.
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@sucheta It elevates endogenous opioids, so it's actually operating through some of the same pathways as opioids. But because it's all endogenous, it's very precise and doesn't have some of the negative side effects of prescription opioids such as addiction or euphoria; this is purely for pain control.