CHICAGO -- A new way to relieve back pain is being tried right here in the Chicago area.

"This pain has just ruined my life," said Marian Ellstrom, who has suffered severe back pain for more than a year. "I'm in bed for like, 20 hours out of 24."

Video: Back Zapper

For Ellstrom, standard treatments did not work and standard surgeries were not an option.

"It just hurts and bending over is just absolutely impossible for me," she said.

So, Ellstrom tried something new at Alexian Brothers Hospital.

Pain specialist Eugene Lipov is using a standard pain-killing device in an experimental way. It's an electrical stimulator implanted just under the skin. Normally, wires from the stimulator attach directly to the spine, but Lipov moves the wires away from the spine and closer to the skin. That's so the electricity can block more of the nerves, which carry the pain signals.

"It isn't inside the spinal canal, and that's just a huge difference -- it's a combination of safety and efficacy which is very rare in medicine," Lipov said. Patients first have the electrodes implanted in their back, and they're tested to see if the pain goes away. Then, a second operation inserts the permanent battery pack.

Finally, doctor Lipov tests the whole system to make sure it's sending the right amount of electricity.

Kenneth Jahnke had the same operation nearly three weeks ago. He manages his pain by holding this controller over the battery under his skin.

X-Rays show Jahnke had several standard operations over the years. But the metal rods and plates in his back didn't relieve his pain. Even a little walking was a struggle.

"I could go maybe two houses down and that's it," said Janke.

But with his stimulator turned on, he's back on his feet and walking normally again for the first time in 15 years.

That this is a last-ditch procedure that won't work for everyone. Ellstrom has experienced some pain relief, but not as much as Janke.

So far, there's been just one case study published in the Journal of Neuromodulation that involved six patients, and all reported reductions in pain.

On the 'Net:
Neuromodulation Journal Study Abstract
Dr. Lipov's Office Device Manufacturer