A new device, which is implanted into the lower back to stimulate muscles and prevent debilitating pain, is having life-changing effects for patients who undergo this procedure at Newcastle Hospitals.
The specialist pain management team at the Royal Victoria Infirmary have brought in the new technology which can bring major improvements for patients who may have suffered with severe mechanical low back pain for years.
The device is implanted into the lower back to stimulate muscles and prevent debilitating pain. The location of the device and the impact it can have mean patients who can benefit will have the potential to be active again and recover wider aspects of their health and wellbeing.
It has had life-changing effects for the first patient to receive it at Newcastle Hospitals in 2025 and can bring major improvements for patients who may have suffered with severe mechanical low back pain for years.
The device is the latest neuromodulation technology used by Newcastle Hospitals – other implants are reducing the effects of Parkinson’s and reducing epilepsy seizures for these groups of patients.
Doctor Sachin Rastogi, consultant anaesthetist who specialises in chronic pain at Newcastle Hospitals, is raising awareness of the treatment option more widely with healthcare professionals such as GPs and physiotherapists, and people who may currently be suffering in silence or having their lives affected by ongoing back pain.
“This technology can be life transforming, and it has so far had a huge impact in improving the quality of life for our patients who have undergone this procedure, said Sachin.
“It’s potentially a cure for this particular type of low back pain where there is muscle weakness. It will really benefit a significant number of people who are suitable.”
The small device, called ReActiv8, is inserted into the lower back in a short operation under general anaesthetic, and uses electrodes to stimulate and strengthen the muscles.
“We put two electrodes into each side of the muscles deep in the lower back, just off the spine, and we connect those to an implanted battery, like a pacemaker,” said Sachin.
“Twice a day, the patient switches it on for 30 minutes and it basically reactivates and stimulates the muscle to contract, building strength up again, and leading to improvements in function and pain.”
The technology is particularly suitable for these patients who are otherwise fit and healthy, and where conventional treatments such as physiotherapy, medicines, and injections have not been effective.
“Back pain is very common, and it gets more common as we get older,” said Sachin. “It can be complicated, with several different causes, and this is a treatment for a very specific type of lower back pain.
“You can’t exercise this muscle through physiotherapy, as it’s very deep in the spine. If it gets weak or loses function, the pathway from brain to muscle is lost, so this battery stimulates the muscles instead.”
How the technology works
The technology uses neuro modulation – a process of altering or regulating nerve activity – to stimulate the muscles deep in the back.
Targeting the muscles: The device sends gentle electrical impulses to the nerves that control a muscle responsible for spinal stability.
Muscle Retraining: The stimulation causes the muscle to repeatedly contract and relax, effectively retraining the brain and muscle to work together properly.
Patient Control: Patients activate the system using a handheld remote twice a day for about 30 minutes while relaxing.
Sam Naylor is the latest patient to undergo the procedure to fit the implant
Outdoor sports enthusiast Sam Naylor has suffered from debilitating back pain since 2020.
“It started with a slight pain on the left side of my lower back that was only noticeable when leaning forward. Then one morning I woke up after a run the night before, and the pain was so bad I couldn’t get out of bed.”
Sam was given strong pain medication and told to rest by healthcare professionals, it took over a week for the flare up to settle.
“But the pain never fully went away. It just kept getting worse,” she said.
Prior to this, the 36-year-old was incredibly active and enjoyed a variety of outdoor sports including climbing and hiking, which unfortunately she had to give up due to the chronic lower back pain.
She has since undergone MRIs, CT scans, medication, a medical procedure to burn nerve endings to reduce pain and physiotherapy, but sadly nothing has worked.
“When I have bad flare ups, I could end up being off work for a week or so. I can have pain going down my leg and across my lower back, finding general movement and everyday tasks difficult.
“You do everything in your power to make the day-to-day more manageable, and then something simple can set it off such as being in a seated position for too long, like driving, can cause debilitating pain lasting for days.’’
Working for an outdoor equipment company, her job can present opportunities to test and review outdoor gear whilst taking part in events. However, due to her ongoing condition, Sam has been computer based to minimise the risk of any flare ups.
“I’ve tried to be patient, but when you don’t know what’s causing the pain, it makes it much harder to treat. I just feel like my life has been put on hold whilst I wait to get better.”
The unpredictable flare ups have caused her to put on weight due to the lack of exercise. This and not being able to do the things she loves has really affected her mental health.
“When I was at my worst and I was on every medication they could give me, I would think ‘is this how I’m going to be? Is this the quality of life I’m going to have now?’”
Sam was eventually referred to Doctor Sachin Rastogi, consultant anaesthetist who specialises in chronic pain at Newcastle Hospitals.
After many different treatments and medical professionals, finally getting a diagnosis was a turning point.
“It was a huge relief to finally have somebody who immediately recognised my symptoms and potentially has an answer to my chronic back pain.”
Sam has undergone surgery in June to insert the back implant device, which takes around three-six months to potentially work, depending on the individual.
Now Sam wants to raise awareness with people and healthcare professionals such as GPs and physiotherapists that there is a treatment for this particular condition.
“The worst part of my whole experience other than the intense pain, was being told that there was nothing that could be done and that I had to just learn how to live with it.”
“This was incredibly upsetting being an active person, thinking I was now having to give up everything I loved, just to make the pain more bearable.”
Now Sam, who lives with partner Chris, is planning to get married in October, after 17 years together.
“Now I know there is a chance this new procedure might improve the level of pain or even remove it all together means there’s a big possibility I can get my life back.”
