How Restorative Neurostimulation Differs From Pain Masking

By Jacqueline Weisbein, D.O.
Double Board-Certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine

Quick Insights

Restorative neurostimulation is a targeted therapy that reactivates the multifidus muscle in the lower back. Unlike treatments that temporarily block pain signals, this approach uses electrical pulses to restore normal muscle function. Studies show patients experience improved movement and reduced disability that lasts years. Many Napa patients who failed other treatments may benefit from this physician-guided option.

Key Takeaways

• Clinical trials show 70% of patients achieve meaningful disability reduction at one year with restorative neurostimulation.
• Five-year data demonstrates sustained pain relief and reduced opioid use in patients with multifidus dysfunction.
• Traditional pain management often masks symptoms without addressing underlying muscle control problems.
• Candidates typically have chronic low back pain persisting for more than 12 weeks that has not improved with conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medications, and lifestyle modifications.

Why It Matters

Chronic back pain affects your ability to work, sleep, and enjoy daily activities. Understanding the difference between masking pain and restoring function helps you make informed treatment decisions. Restorative neurostimulation may offer lasting improvement when other approaches have failed, potentially reducing your need for ongoing medications or injections.

Introduction

As a double board-certified physician specializing in pain medicine, I've treated countless Napa-area patients frustrated by treatments that only mask their symptoms. If you're searching for an expert provider, learn more about Dr. Jacqueline Weisbein, DO—board-certified pain management physician and her approach to evidence-based care.

Restorative neurostimulation represents a fundamentally different approach to chronic low back pain. Rather than temporarily blocking pain signals, this therapy uses targeted electrical pulses to reactivate the multifidus muscle—a deep spinal stabilizer that often stops working properly in people with chronic back pain. When this muscle fails, your spine loses critical support, creating a cycle of pain and dysfunction that traditional treatments can't break.

At Napa Valley Orthopaedic Medical Group, I've seen how this distinction matters. Patients from Napa, Sonoma, and Fairfield who've tried injections, medications, and physical therapy without lasting relief often benefit from addressing the underlying muscle dysfunction rather than chasing symptoms. For those interested in learning more about potential causes, read our recent blog on uncovering vertebrogenic low back pain as a hidden pain source.

This article explains how restorative neurostimulation differs from pain-masking approaches and who might benefit from this evidence-based option. Curious how recovery looks for innovative spine procedures? Explore what to expect with an Intracept procedure recovery in our in-depth guide.

What Is Restorative Neurostimulation for Napa Residents?

Restorative neurostimulation targets a specific problem I see frequently: multifidus muscle dysfunction. The multifidus is a deep spinal stabilizer that runs along your spine. When it stops working properly, your spine loses critical support. This creates a cycle of pain and instability that traditional treatments can't break.

The ReActiv8 system delivers targeted electrical pulses to the nerves controlling your multifidus muscle. These pulses don't block pain signals—they actually retrain the muscle to contract properly again. Systematic reviews demonstrate that this approach reverses multifidus pathology rather than simply providing temporary relief.

When evaluating patients for this therapy, I focus on identifying those whose pain stems from this specific muscle dysfunction. Not everyone with back pain has multifidus problems, which is why accurate diagnosis matters so much. When we match the right patient to this therapy, we're addressing the root cause rather than chasing symptoms.

How Traditional Pain Management Masks Symptoms

Most conventional treatments for chronic low back pain focus on reducing your perception of pain. Medications block pain signals. Injections temporarily reduce inflammation. These approaches can provide relief, but they don't restore the underlying muscle function that's causing your instability.

I've treated many Napa patients who've cycled through these options for years. They get temporary improvement, then the pain returns. That's because we're masking the symptom without fixing the problem. Clinical trials comparing restorative neurostimulation to optimal medical management show meaningful differences in functional outcomes—not just pain scores, but actual improvements in disability and quality of life.

If your pain is chronic and returns after conservative measures, you may benefit from exploring more targeted chronic pain treatment options designed to address the root causes.

The distinction matters because your goal isn't just to feel less pain temporarily. You want to move better, function better, and maintain those improvements over time. That requires addressing the mechanical problem, not just covering it up.

The Science Behind Multifidus Muscle Dysfunction

Your multifidus muscle provides segmental stability to your spine. When it's working properly, it contracts reflexively to support your spine during movement. But chronic pain can disrupt this reflex. The muscle essentially "forgets" how to fire correctly, even after the original injury heals.

This creates a vicious cycle. Without proper multifidus support, your spine becomes unstable. That instability causes pain. The pain further inhibits the muscle. Traditional physical therapy often can't break this cycle because the neuromuscular control is too disrupted.

Research on multifidus dysfunction shows that targeted neurostimulation can restore this lost neuromuscular control. The electrical pulses essentially remind the muscle how to contract properly. Over time, this retraining becomes automatic again. I've observed that patients who respond well to this therapy often describe feeling more stable and supported, not just less painful.

If your pain is predominantly located in the back, you might also benefit from the latest minimally invasive back pain procedures tailored for spinal stability and function.

How ReActiv8 Restores Function Instead of Masking Pain

The ReActiv8 system works through a small implanted device that delivers programmed electrical pulses to the nerves controlling your multifidus. You control the therapy sessions using an external remote. Most patients use the device for two 30-minute sessions daily.

Unlike pain-masking treatments, you're not trying to block signals or numb sensations. You're actively retraining your muscle to work properly. Two-year trial data demonstrates sustained improvements in both pain and function that persist even when patients reduce their therapy sessions.

I explain to patients that this is more like physical therapy than pain medication. You're doing work to restore function. The difference is that the electrical stimulation can reach and activate muscles that voluntary exercise often can't access when neuromuscular control is severely disrupted. This therapy works best for patients whose pain truly stems from multifidus dysfunction, not just general back pain.

Long-Term Outcomes: Evidence of Durability

One of the most compelling aspects of restorative neurostimulation is the durability of results. Five-year follow-up studies show sustained functional recovery and meaningful reductions in opioid use among patients who responded to therapy.

This long-term data tells me we're seeing true restoration of function, not just temporary symptom relief. Patients maintain improvements years after starting therapy. Many reduce or eliminate other pain treatments they'd been using for years. That's fundamentally different from the pattern I see with pain-masking approaches, where patients need escalating doses or more frequent interventions over time.

For those with persistent or evolving spine issues, it may also be valuable to review our overview of when to seek specialist care for chronic vs. acute back pain.

The safety profile over five years also supports using this therapy for appropriate candidates. Patients who understand they're investing in long-term functional recovery, not quick pain relief, tend to have the most realistic expectations and best outcomes.

Who May Be a Candidate for Restorative Neurostimulation in Napa?

Not everyone with chronic low back pain is a candidate for this therapy. Three-year effectiveness data supports careful patient selection based on specific criteria.

Ideal candidates typically have chronic mechanical low back pain unresponsive to conservative care. You've likely tried physical therapy, medications, and possibly injections without lasting improvement. Your pain should be primarily in your lower back, not radiating down your legs. Most importantly, diagnostic testing should indicate multifidus muscle dysfunction as a primary pain generator.

At Napa Valley Orthopaedic Medical Group, I use a combination of physical examination, imaging, and sometimes diagnostic injections to identify patients whose pain stems from multifidus dysfunction. This careful evaluation matters because restorative neurostimulation works by addressing a specific problem. If that's not your problem, this isn't your solution. When I identify the right candidates, though, this therapy offers a genuine opportunity to restore function rather than just mask symptoms indefinitely.

A Patient's Perspective

As a pain medicine specialist, I know that clinical trial data only tells part of the story. The real measure of any treatment is how it changes someone's daily life.

Jane came to my Napa practice after years of pain management at Stanford. She was understandably nervous about switching providers, especially after investing so much time in her care. What struck me most about her experience was her relief at finding someone who offered both continuity of her existing treatments and fresh perspectives on options she hadn't tried.

"Dr. Weisbein exceeded all my expectations. I've been a Pain Management patient at Stanford and was nervous about making the switch. Dr. Weisbein immediately put me at ease. She is caring, an expert clinician, made sure to get me schedule continuing Stanford treatments AND offered a fresh perspective and new options. I'm so glad I found her, she's definitely the best of the best."

— Jane

This is one patient's experience; individual results may vary.

Jane's story reflects what I strive for in every patient interaction. When someone has chronic pain, they need both evidence-based expertise and genuine partnership in their care. That combination—honoring what's working while exploring new possibilities—often makes the difference between managing symptoms and truly improving function.

Conclusion

Restorative neurostimulation represents a fundamentally different approach to chronic low back pain—one that addresses the underlying muscle dysfunction rather than temporarily masking your symptoms. Long-term studies demonstrate sustained improvements in both function and pain that persist for years, along with meaningful reductions in opioid use. This durability tells me we're seeing true restoration of neuromuscular control, not just another temporary fix.

As a double board-certified physician in Pain Medicine and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, I've seen how this therapy changes lives when we match the right patient to the right treatment. If you've tried everything and nothing's worked, you're not alone—and you don't have to settle for just managing symptoms. The right treatment can restore more than comfort. It can restore confidence, mobility, and hope.

We proudly serve Napa and nearby communities such as Sonoma, Fairfield, and surrounding areas. If you're ready to explore whether restorative neurostimulation might help you reclaim your quality of life, I'd be honored to evaluate your specific situation. To take the next step, schedule a consultation to explore personalized pain management options that address your unique needs.

This article is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment options. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do results from restorative neurostimulation typically last?

Clinical trials show sustained improvements in pain and function that persist for years, not just months. Five-year follow-up data demonstrates that patients maintain meaningful reductions in disability and pain scores. Many patients also reduce their reliance on other pain treatments over time. This durability suggests we're restoring actual muscle function rather than providing temporary symptom relief. Individual results vary based on your specific condition and how consistently you use the therapy.

Am I a candidate if I've already tried physical therapy and injections?

Many of my patients who benefit from restorative neurostimulation have tried multiple treatments without lasting success. The key question is whether your pain stems from multifidus muscle dysfunction specifically. I use physical examination, imaging, and sometimes diagnostic procedures to identify this. If your pain is primarily mechanical low back pain lasting over 90 days, and conservative treatments haven't provided durable relief, you may be a candidate. The evaluation process helps determine if this therapy addresses your specific problem.

How is this different from a spinal cord stimulator?

Spinal cord stimulators work by blocking pain signals traveling to your brain—they mask the sensation of pain. Restorative neurostimulation takes a completely different approach by reactivating the multifidus muscle that's stopped working properly. You're not covering up symptoms; you're restoring the neuromuscular control your spine needs for stability. This fundamental difference in mechanism explains why patients often see improvements in function and movement, not just pain reduction. It's rehabilitation through targeted electrical stimulation rather than pain signal interruption.

Where can I find restorative neurostimulation in Napa?

Dr. Jacqueline Weisbein at Napa Valley Orthopaedic Medical Group offers physician-guided restorative neurostimulation sessions tailored to your wellness goals. Located in Napa and serving patients from Sonoma and Fairfield, our practice provides personalized care in a supportive environment. Schedule your consultation today to experience advanced regenerative care.