For many people living with chronic pain, it’s not the intensity that wears them down, it’s the endless trial and error of treatments that never fully work. If that sounds familiar, there’s good news: neuromodulation, specifically peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS), may offer lasting relief without relying on systemic medications or invasive surgery.
At Grand Rapids Pain, our board-certified interventional pain specialists, Dr. Keith Javery, DO and Dr. Girish Juneja, MD, use the latest in minimally invasive care, including PNS, to help patients regain function, improve quality of life, and move beyond outdated treatment models. Schedule a consultation today to find out if it’s right for you.
Let’s walk through how peripheral nerve stimulation works and who benefits most.
Understanding the Basics of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is a type of neuromodulation, a technique that modifies how pain signals are transmitted through the nervous system. Instead of masking symptoms with medication, PNS addresses the problem at its source by delivering gentle electrical impulses directly to the nerve responsible for the pain.
The therapy involves a small, implantable device known as a peripheral nerve stimulator, which is placed near the targeted peripheral nerve. These are the nerves that branch out from the spinal cord to the rest of the body, and they’re often involved in pain located in the arms, legs, lower back, neck, or abdominal region.
There are several types of nerve stimulators, but what makes PNS unique is its ability to treat precise, well-defined areas of pain—without impacting the entire nervous system.
At a glance, PNS is:
- FDA-approved and clinically proven for a range of nerve-related pain conditions
- Minimally invasive, often performed under local anesthesia
- Reversible and adjustable, allowing fine-tuned control of pain relief
- A non-opioid alternative to long-term medication or more invasive surgery
For many patients, PNS offers a modern, low-risk solution when traditional pain treatments have failed.
How PNS Blocks Pain at the Source
Pain signals travel from the nerves to the brain through the spinal cord. A peripheral nerve stimulator implant interferes with that process by sending gentle electrical signals that 'distract' or override the pain message before it reaches your brain.
This doesn’t just dull the pain, it retrains the way your nervous system responds to it. Over time, patients often experience less frequent flare-ups and greater functional improvement, even when the device is off.
At Grand Rapids Pain, we ensure each peripheral nerve stimulator procedure is precisely guided using advanced imaging and diagnostic blocks, so the treatment is tailored to your unique pain pattern.
Common Conditions Treated with PNS
Peripheral nerve stimulation is ideal for chronic pain conditions where nerve dysfunction is a major driver. These include:
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
- Post-surgical neuropathy (e.g., after joint replacement, hernia repair)
- Occipital neuralgia and chronic headaches
- Chronic pelvic and abdominal pain
- Peripheral neuropathy from diabetes, trauma, or surgery
- Chronic low back or neck pain with localized nerve involvement
At Grand Rapids Pain, we also use advanced diagnostics to identify if PNS may be appropriate for spinal-adjacent pain that hasn’t responded to standard care, particularly when other nerve blocks or even spinal cord stimulation have failed.
What to Expect During the Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Procedure
Treatment with peripheral nerve stimulation typically involves two key phases, each designed to ensure that the therapy is safe, effective, and tailored to your needs.
1. Trial Phase: Testing for Relief
The first step is a temporary trial, where a small lead (wire) is placed near the targeted nerve through a tiny puncture in the skin. This is done using image guidance for precision and is typically performed under local anesthesia.
You’ll wear an external device for 3 to 7 days, during which you can assess how well the stimulation relieves your pain during normal activities. This trial gives both you and your physician valuable insight before committing to a long-term solution.
If the trial provides meaningful pain relief and improved function, you may move forward with the next step.
2. Implant Phase: Long-Term Pain Control
If the trial is successful, we proceed with placing a peripheral nerve stimulator implant, a small, long-term device designed to provide consistent, adjustable neuromodulation. This outpatient procedure is minimally invasive, typically done under local anesthesia, and most patients return home the same day.
After implantation, we’ll monitor your progress closely with scheduled follow-ups. The device settings can be adjusted for optimal comfort and control, and you’ll have the ability to turn the stimulator on or off as needed using a wireless remote.
At Grand Rapids Pain, your care doesn’t stop after the procedure, we’re with you every step of the way to ensure long-term success.
Long-Term Benefits of Neuromodulation
For the right patient, peripheral nerve stimulation delivers more than pain relief, it restores confidence and quality of life. Benefits often include:
- Reduced reliance on opioids and systemic medications
- Better sleep and daily function
- Improved physical activity and mobility
- Long-lasting symptom reduction with minimal side effects
Success rates vary depending on the pain source and treatment accuracy, but when delivered by experienced providers, outcomes are significantly better. That’s where our team’s precision and hands-on care model makes all the difference.
Why Patients Trust Grand Rapids Pain for Neuromodulation
At Grand Rapids Pain, we believe chronic pain should never be treated like it’s 1999. We provide today’s most effective interventional therapies, including PNS and MIST 2.0 (Minimally Invasive Surgical Therapeutics), to patients across West Michigan and beyond.
What sets us apart?
- Physician-led care, no middleman. Every plan comes directly from your doctor, not a tech, assistant, or call center.
- Deep expertise in diagnostics and imaging. We find the exact nerve causing your pain and confirm it before treatment.
- More tools, more solutions. From neuromodulation to MIST 2.0, our approach goes far beyond nerve blocks.
- Whole-body chronic pain care. While spinal pain is our forte, we treat pain from head to toe including nerve injuries, post-surgical syndromes, CRPS, and cancer-related pain.
Ready to Explore Peripheral Nerve Stimulation?
Peripheral nerve stimulation can offer real, lasting relief, especially when other treatments have failed. At Grand Rapids Pain, our board-certified pain specialists deliver it with the skill and attention you deserve.
Schedule a consultation to learn if you're a candidate for neuromodulation at Grand Rapids Pain where advanced therapies meet compassionate, physician-led care.
