Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Provides Relief for Chronic Low Back Pain

For decades, Frank Goshen, 65, of Bloomsbury, NJ, endured the persistent challenges of chronic low back pain. His journey began at age 17, with intermittent pain that progressively worsened over the years. Despite exploring numerous pain management strategies, nothing provided significant or lasting relief—until now.

Frank recently became a patient of Dr. Savion Johnson, a pain management specialist at St. Luke’s Spine & Pain Associates. Due to other underlying medical issues, Frank was not a candidate for traditional surgical procedures. However, Dr. Johnson offered an innovative solution: peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS).

Peripheral nerve stimulation is a minimally invasive treatment that uses small devices called electrodes to communicate with the nerves responsible for pain. These electrodes send gentle electrical signals to "interrupt" pain messages before they reach the brain, helping to reduce pain. It's a promising option for those who haven't found relief with other treatments or cannot undergo surgery.

"Peripheral nerve stimulation was a life-changing option for Frank," said Dr. Johnson. "It’s a promising treatment for patients who, like Frank, have exhausted other avenues of pain management."

Frank, an avid outdoorsman, enjoys activities such as gardening, camping and fishing. Following the procedure, Frank noticed remarkable improvements in his quality of life. He shares, "Before, even simple tasks like walking up and down stairs or bending over to put on socks were painful. Today, I feel great."

In addition to Dr. Johnson, pain management specialists Dr. Robert Selko, Dr. Kyle Weiss, Dr. Farooq Qureshi and Dr. Ashwin Rangavajjula of St. Luke’s Spine & Pain Associates also perform this innovative procedure. Together, they provide a collaborative approach to innovative pain management solutions for their patients.

About St. Luke’s Spine & Pain Associates St. Luke’s Spine & Pain Associates is dedicated to providing advanced, personalized care to patients managing chronic pain. With a multidisciplinary approach and a commitment to innovation, the team delivers hope and healing to individuals across the region.

For more information on peripheral nerve stimulation and the advanced treatments available at St. Luke’s Spine & Pain Associates, call 484-526-PAIN (7246) or visit sluhn.org.