Break the Cycle of Back Pain Without Surgery
If you’re a patient living with chronic back pain, you may be researching whether there’s a surgical solution to your problems. If so, you may have already discovered that one option is an implanted spinal cord stimulator, or SCS implant, which is generally only considered for long-term, chronic pain cases.
And while this option may hold promise, it isn’t without risks. According to statistics, up to 43% of patients who receive an implant will experience spinal cord stimulator complications. Although most are minor, like infection or bruising, some spinal cord stimulator side effects are much more serious.
As you contemplate an SCS implant or other surgical procedures, or are even trying to delay or find an alternative to surgery, you should know there is a prescription-grade option that’s non-invasive and drug-free, and provides real pain relief for 84% of patients who use it – the RS-4i® Plus.
The Science Behind the Relief
Patients looking to free themselves from back pain commonly find that electrotherapy with the RS-4i Plus delivers relief that is more pronounced and longer lasting than the relief provided by other home-use devices, and even some clinical therapies.
It has to do with the signal. The RS-4i Plus provides a more powerful pain-relieving signal than most devices – 5000 Hz. This compares to many over-the-counter electrotherapy units, and even some clinical units, that may only deliver 50 to 250 Hz.
A signal at 5000 Hz (also called a high-frequency signal) matters because it’s able to overcome skin’s natural resistance, reaching nerve fibers deep in the tissue to send a signal that triggers the body’s release of enkephalins. These neuroinhibitors are short-chain peptides that block the transmission of pain signals and result in pain relief that generally lasts less than an hour. By contrast, lower-frequency signals simply lack the power to go as deep and, thus, are unlikely to produce the same degree of pain relief.
The Added Bonus of Muscle Rehabilitation
In addition to pain relief, the RS-4i Plus also offers muscle therapy in the form of neuromuscular electrical stimulation, or NMES. This treatment is designed to act upon motor nerve fibers for the purposes of muscle rehabilitation – as opposed to sensory nerve fibers for pain management.
Here, too, the RS-4i Plus is more advanced. Many devices are designed to recruit only a single type of muscle fiber, but the waveform provided by the RS-4i Plus can activate both fast-twitch fibers (like in your arms) and slow-twitch fibers (like in your low back).
Being able to stimulate a broader range of muscle fibers, especially in the large muscles of the body like the quadriceps and back, allows the RS-4i Plus to elicit a maximal muscle contraction. That’s a technical way of saying that it can help improve blood flow and relax muscle spasms – which, in turn, helps further reduce pain.
Best of all, science shows that longer-lasting pain relief from the RS-4i Plus is likely achieved through endorphin release. In this case, with enough combined IFT and NMES stimulation during the Intersperse treatment, the body sends a sequence of signals to the brain and provokes a beta-endorphin release. These neuroinhibitors are long-chain peptides – endogenous opiates – that provide pain relief lasting up to 8 hours.
Rely on the Results from Over 30,000 Veterans
While the science sounds good, you’re probably wondering whether this will work for your persistent back pain. If you can trust the feedback from over 30,000 military Veterans, then rest assured.
Assessments conducted with these RS-4i Plus users show that 84% experienced at least a 20% reduction in pain. Even better, almost half experienced a 50% or better reduction in pain. Some comments from these Veterans include:
“I am 90% pain free most of the time. I’m no longer afraid to try out more physical activities.”
“I used to have problems sitting down and getting up. It was very difficult, and a lot of times I needed help. That doesn't happen anymore.”
“It helps me sleep. Before I was getting no sleep at all, and now I get 6-7 hours.”
Peace of Mind, at a Lower Cost
To go with the benefits of pain relief and muscle rehab, there’s also peace of mind knowing that using the RS-4i Plus doesn’t involve any medications or invasive procedures. And unlike a trip to the pain clinic, this prescription-strength therapy is available at home – whenever you need it. There’s no travel and no scheduling.
To take a treatment, simply apply the electrodes to your skin, plug in the device and start your session with a few button clicks. The relief begins quickly, and there’s virtually zero risk of side-effects. Just remember to change the electrodes every 30 days.
Getting started with the RS-4i Plus can be faster and more cost-effective too. Just consult with your healthcare provider about a prescription, then order the device – which is shipped directly to you. Surgical remedies will undoubtedly take more time, require more appointments and could end up costing more out-of-pocket in the long run.
Help is Just a Few Clicks Away
While the RS-4i Plus offers professional-grade therapy, it’s still simple to use independently.
Locate the pre-programmed treatment that’s right for you, then set the intensity level based upon your pain and settle in for your session. Even simpler – the last treatment you used is saved as your default, so there’s no need to hunt for where you left off.
If you need help, which invariably will happen at 2:00 am, video instructions and our pad placement guide are a click away in the online Interactive Pad Placement Guide.
A Closer Look at the RS-4i Plus
The RS-4i Plus is an advanced home-use electrotherapy device that combines high frequency (5000 Hz) Interferential Therapy (IFT) for long-lasting pain relief, with Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) for muscle rehabilitation. Patented Intersperse technology delivers both IFT and NMES during the same, uninterrupted treatment session. This excites the body’s natural beta-endorphin production to relieve pain for up to 8 hours, and provides rehabilitative muscle therapy that reduces muscle spasms, increases circulation and prevents disuse atrophy.
Take the Next Step
Healthcare Practitioners
If you are interested in a more detailed review of the RS-4i Plus mechanisms of action and clinical evidence, we invite you to request a demonstration.
Patients
The RS-4i Plus requires a prescription. If you are interested in discussing this drug-free pain relief solution with your healthcare practitioner, download our patient discussion guide to help start a conversation.