About two-thirds of adults experience low back discomfort at some point in their lives. Back discomfort often goes away within a few weeks or months for most people. However, back pain can become chronic in 7% of sufferers, which can have an impact on all facets of daily life.
Danny Wilkins had been on of those chronic back pain sufferers. At 71 years old, his life in Florida hadn’t been quite the golden years he had hoped. He enjoyed playing golf and taking long walks, but it was challenging because of his back problems. “Before, I couldn’t go 10 minutes of walking without sitting down,” Danny said. When the pain was at its greatest, Danny had to stop playing golf with his friends and could not even bend down to pick up his ball. Before Danny met Dr. Langhorst, everything seemed hopeless. “Then, she came into the patient room and said, ‘Danny, I can fix you.”
Dr. Langhorst had been working on a pain management research study called ReActiv8. ReActiv8 is a minimally invasive device that works by mildly electrically stimulating the important lower back stabilizing muscles. ReActiv8 stimulation is given twice daily for roughly 30 minutes, much like workout regimens used to regain muscular control. You decide when to begin each session, and the device ends each session automatically. ReActiv8 is made to gradually assist your body in regaining control over the muscles that support stability in your lower back, which may help reduce persistent low back pain. ReActiv8 is implanted using a minimally invasive surgical method. “Danny was retiring to Florida, and was really looking forward to being able to play golf and enjoy retirement with his wife,” Dr. Meredith Langhorst said, “Reactiv8, restorative neurosimulation, which helps treat chronic low back pain by restoring stability to the lumbar spine is a minimally invasive, 30 minute procedure and has given Danny back his quality of life.”
Danny has been using ReActiv8 for a year and is extremely satisfied with it. He frequently suggests it to other people. “I’m so glad something was able to come along that finally worked,” Danny said. “After 3 months, there was a substantial difference. I still do it every morning and night.” The soreness has subsided after a year, according to Danny, who has resumed playing golf and taking longer walks more frequently. He is overjoyed to be able to spend time with his friends and family once more.
“Dr. Langhorst is a great doctor and a super person. She saved me!”
