The Bioflex Integrated Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) Pain Management System is a uniquely designed "Wearable Electronic Garment" that alleviates a specific site of pain such as the lower back, shoulder, or knee. The system is capable of addressing widespread pain that, say for example, affects the upper, middle, and lower back combined, as well as those that are more discreet. These specialized garments incorporate a technology called Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation or NMES, that imparts a low level impulse to the surface of the skin as well as the underlying nerves and muscles. The NMES signal invokes a powerful inhibition to pain by blocking and preventing the pain signal from reaching the brain. This interaction takes place in the spinal cord without drugs. The brain is the central processing point for pain perception. If signals do not reach it, then pain cannot be felt.

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation has two other important effects that aid the pain patient. First, it is very effective at reducing tightness in muscles that are in a spasm. Spasticity or spasm are terms used to describe involuntary and sustained tension of muscles that lead to further pain and mobility restrictions. As NMES works it alleviates the tightness that accompanies pain. This alone can be very helpful, especially since spasms can be a significant source of the pain. Second, NMES helps promote increased circulation to the tissues in the area treated, thereby flushing away metabolites as well as improving the supply of oxygen.

The third picture on this page depicts one of our Garment Systems, the BioVest™. Its electrodes span the upper and lower back. All lead wires and electrodes are sewn in to the garment and a pouch for the stimulator is attached to the right side. It is made of light-weight, breathable spandex so it doesn't restrict body movement.

About the Electronic Garment Technology

Bioflex Electromedicine introduced its Wearable Therapy Systems in 1995. The Electronic Belt is just one of many systems available for all areas of the body. The device consist of an electronic muscle stimulator and a garment that incorporates electrodes and leads to disperse the flow of current to an area of pain. The benefits of the electronic belt are alleviation of pain, relaxation of muscle, and improved blood flow to the region.

One aspect of the Bioflex Integrated NMES Pain Management System that is gaining attention is that it can, in many cases, hold the level of pain down and not let it rise with a rise in activity of the body part in pain. That means the patient can be more active and do more at work and at home without increased pain. In contrast, while medications may lower pain, they sometimes don't keep it low when activity ensues. This alone may be the difference between a poor quality of life and one that is more fulfilling, including a return to gainful employment.

Neuromuscular stimulation artificially induces contractions to the underlying muscle groups. The sensation is much like having a massage because the stimulator kneads the underlying muscle when it pulses. Muscles tend to tighten up in an involuntary fashion to guard the body against movement when pain is present. This is often referred to as "spasm". When muscles stiffen, the flow of blood diminishes and pain can result. Neuromuscular stimulation helps break that cycle of pain and spasm that is responsible for much of the pain and discomfort one feels.

It also works by blocking the passage of pain signals as they course the spinal cord before they reach the area of the brain that perceives pain. This system acts on the muscles and nervous system in a noninvasive manner. Patients who need surgery to correct an underlying problem that would lead to more damage if untreated, such as paralysis, should heed the advice of their surgeon. And, there are many other forms of pain management available in the US that can be helpful. While physical therapy, surgery, nerve blocks, acupuncture, chiropractic, and device implantation all have their place in the treatment of chronic pain, the Bioflex system has many advantages:

1. The Bioflex system is noninvasive.
2. It does not cause adverse effects on alertness or decision making.
3. In many cases it can lower pain and hold it down even with increased activity.
4. Assessment for the system is fast and easy, usually less than one month.
5. Determination of patient candidacy and appropriateness can be made before purchase.
6. In certain cases the need for pain medications can be diminished or eliminated as well as other forms of treatment that may impose risk or a time burden.
7. The system can address pain 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
8. In addition to lowering pain it also helps with muscle spasms.
9. Large areas of pain can be addressed as well as small, discreet areas.
10. The system will not interfere with movement of the body.
11. The system may be worn and concealed under clothing.

While most doctors would agree pain is helpful in the acute stage of injury to guard against further tissue damage and to aid the healing process, it is generally believed there is no physiological benefit to chronic pain. Overall health as well as mood can suffer from long-term inactivity and pain. Depression and weight gain are common among pain patients. Therefore, the goal in pain management should be to assess the patient in terms of impending danger to any area that is in need of correction of the underlying reason for the pain. If appropriate diagnostic measures have ruled out the need for curative intervention, then maximizing pain relief is an appropriate goal.

traditional electrode method	Bioflex Wearable Therapy System

Learn More About Pain Management & Our Technology
(View Slide Show Now)

What is Pain Management?

Facts about pain:

In the United States, it is estimated that 3.3 percent of the population are permanently disabled as a result of pain. (see reference 1 below)

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can induce damage throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract. (See reference 2) The most common side-effects of NSAIDs are gastritis, peptic ulceration and the reduction of renal function. (See 3) Rheumatoid and osteoarthritis patients are 2.5-5.5 times more likely to be hospitalized for NSAID-related gastrointestinal events. (See 4)

Drug use can contribute significantly to associated problems: inactivity can be related to oversedation, and cognitive function can be adversely affected by opiods and benzodiazepines, as may sexual function, which can also be affected by antidepressants. (See 5)

What is pain?

The International Association for the Study of Pain defines pain as an unpleasant sensory or emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage.(6) There are two categories of pain which help clinicians decide how it should be treated: 1) Acute, and 2) Chronic.

Acute Pain

Acute Pain is the pain perceived immediately upon injury and experienced throughout the healing process, usually lasting no longer than 3 months. Pain felt from cuts, bruises, sprains, broken bones, and torn ligaments or muscles are examples of acute pain.

Chronic Pain

Chronic Pain is defined as any pain that persists beyond a 3 month period. Chronic pain can linger even when the original source is gone. It can be a sustained sensory abnormality as a result of ongoing pathology such as chronic inflammation or it can be independant of the original source that initiated it.(7)

Intensity of Pain

Pain is a subjective perception of discomfort and as such it is difficult for clinicians to objectively analyze the level of intensity experienced. The Pain Scale is a tool used to obtain a reasonable understanding of the degree of pain felt. The scale is 0-10, with no pain rated at 0 and the highest perceived pain at 10.

Invasive vs. Non-invasive Approaches:

Your physician will guide you in selecting a number of pain management options. Those that place the patient at risk for infection or complication should be looked at carefully. Non-invasive means that the treatment does not involve penetration of the skin and the overall risk of developing medical problems from the procedure are low. Examples of invasive procedures are surgery, injections, and implantation of devices inside the body. As a rule, you should exhaust all non-invasive approaches before moving on to those that are invasive.

Non-pharmocologic Approaches:

Pain medications can be taken to alleviate pain. However, there are short and long-term ramifications that you should be aware of. Your physician should explain this issue to you before you embark on any regimen. Furthermore, some pain medications have side-effects that may not be in your best interest. Good pain management should take in to account the "whole" person meaning that while some drugs lower pain they may not allow you to think clearly. This can impede your concentration and ability to perform at work, alter your driving skills, and make socializing with family and friends difficult.

Consistency in Pain Management:

People with chronic pain often experience pain daily and with great consistency. Effective pain management should be just as consistent in its alleviation of the pain so that the patient can rely on it day-to-day. Treatments that don't almost always cause frustration and rejection or, lead the patient to believe they can't work.

Pain with Activity:

While lowering pain is a good thing, holding it low during activities is just as important. If pain is allowed to rise when activity or movement of the involved body part occurs, then there is no incentive to be active. To get the pain patient moving again the pain management approach must offer the patient reduced levels of pain while they work, play, and otherwise conduct their lives. While overexertion may not be desired, movement of the body is very important to maintain a healthy mind and body. Inactivity can produce weight gain and loss of muscle strength and flexibility which can have a negative impact on the pain as well as on the affected body part.

1. Lipton, S. 1991: Introduction. British Medical Bulletin 47(3), i-iv.

2. Davies, N.M. 1998: Review article: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced gastrointestinal permeability. Alimentary Pharmacology Therapeutics 12(4),303-20.

3. Cryer, B. and Kimmey, M.B. 1998: Gastrointestinal side effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. American Journal of Medicine 105 (1B), 20S-30S.

4. International Association for the Study of Pain. 1979: Pain terms: a list with definitions and notes on usage. Pain 6, 249-52.

5. Williams, A. C.deC. 1995: Pain measurement in chronic pain management. Pain Reviews 2, 39-63.

6. Singh, G. 1998: Recent considerations in nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug gastropathy. American Journal of Medicine 105(1B), 31S-38S.

7. Rowlingson, J.C. 1996: Neuropathic pain. International Symposium of Regional Anesthesia, 120-6.