If you're experiencing intense pain that started after an injury or a surgical procedure, you might have something called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) or Causalgia. When you have this kind of chronic pain, it can be impossible to focus on anything else.

Though Spinal Cord Stimulation, also called SCS, has been used by doctors to treat chronic pain for more than 50 years, initial research indicates that traditional SCS systems show only minor improvements for patients with CRPS or Causalgia. Today, there's a non-opioid solution called Dorsal Root Ganglion Therapy, or DRG, that's been proven to work for people who have complicated conditions like yours.

The therapy works by targeting the clusters of nerve cells along the spine known as Dorsal Root Ganglion, or DRG. These DRG nerves control pain signals from specific areas of the body where people experience pain, enabling DRG therapy to provide targeted relief at the source.

One of the benefits of Abbott's Proclaim™ DRG therapy is that you can try it out before committing to a fully implanted system to see if it is right for you. This is done through a minimally invasive procedure. Your doctor will determine whether you are a candidate for Proclaim™ DRG therapy and may introduce you to an Abbott representative who can help answer your questions about the therapy.

Your doctor may also recommend a temporary evaluation to determine whether the therapy is right for you. During the evaluation, you can see whether the therapy provides meaningful pain relief while improving your ability to perform daily activities.

A typical evaluation period for the invisible trial system for Proclaim™ DRG therapy lasts 5 to 7 days. The process begins with a quick outpatient procedure. At the start of the procedure, you will be positioned on the operating room table. Once you are comfortable, the doctor will place thin wires, called leads, alongside the DRG.

The leads are connected to a small external battery that provides the energy to generate pulses which work to interrupt your pain signals before they reach the spinal cord. During the evaluation, the battery will be worn outside of the body, typically on your lower back.

At the end of the procedure, you will be taken to a recovery room to rest. In the recovery room, your Abbott representative will program your system under the supervision of your doctor. Throughout your evaluation period, your Abbott representative may contact you to ensure you are getting appropriate pain relief on the intended areas of your body. It is important that you continue to perform day to day activities as recommended by your doctor.

While you may be experiencing some temporary minor discomfort from the procedure, you will want to focus on how the therapy is managing your chronic pain. You should avoid bending, twisting, stretching, or lifting objects over 5 pounds. Avoid getting the bandage and battery wet. At the end of the evaluation, the leads will be gently removed during a check-in visit at your physician's office.

You and your doctor will decide whether the Proclaim™ DRG system is right for you.

The Proclaim™ DRG Neurostimulation System with Invisible Therapy provides low-energy, superior therapy. Utilizes a recharge-free battery giving you hassle-free pain relief with a battery that lasts 6.5 years on nominal settings. Is controlled using Bluetooth wireless technology with your personal mobile device or one provided by Abbott.

Features upgradable software to deliver advancements without additional surgery. Allows scanning with a variety of medical imaging techniques, including full body MRI within approved parameters. Find a Proclaim™ DRG therapy trained doctor at aboutyourpain.com. Don't wait. Ask your doctor about getting targeted relief with Proclaim™ DRG therapy.