When the body is deprived of sleep the healing processes are also impeded making the patient more vulnerable to other diseases, infections, and more susceptible to viruses, bacterial infections and much more. The body needs time to recharge in order to stay well and functional.
Drug medications are often prescribed but have high incidences of risk for the patient, including chronic dependency on them, to sleep. Often chronic pain patients have already been prescribed other pain medications and are at much higher risk of drug interactions which only makes the patient worse.
Most chronic pain patients are also not prescribed drugs to attack the cause of the problem but drugs to dull the brain as the receptor site for the pain impulses. Drowsiness, stupor like symptoms result and are not satisfactory options for the patient.
A new option emerging is the use of home e-stim devices such as portable interferential units. The patient simply plugs the interferential unit into the wall outlet, places the electrode pads around the area of pain, sets the timer to 15 or 30 minute treatment and falls to sleep while the unit is on and stopping the pain. No drugs are needed and due to the carryover pain relief that interferential therapy provides the patient falls to sleep. The sleep cycle slowly is restored and the carryover or residual pain relief is extended, often through the night.
