Title: Gatekeepers Misunderstood & Mislaid: Upholding the Importance and Proper Implementation of Gate Control Interventions in Pain Therapies
In the realm of pain management, the Gate Control Approach has been a subject of historical misconception and underutilization. This op-ed aims to shed light on the significance of this approach and encourage further understanding and implementation based on newly discovered evidence.
The Italian innovation, La QUANTUM Re-Generation, exemplifies a unique and groundbreaking technology in its field. It treats pain and acts on a muscular level with decontraction action through the emission of high-tension depolarizing microcurrents. This technology has a therapeutic effect on acute chronic and post-traumatic pain, and it exhibits anti-inflammatory and decontraction properties.
The mechanism of action is rooted in the Gate Control Theory, allowing for the inhibition of nociceptive afferent transmission through small-diameter fibers. This is achieved through the use of pulsed microcurrents with a time duration of a millionth of a second per impulse, acting on the muscular tissue and exerting a decontraction effect while increasing tissue oxygenation.
The Re-Generation applies a procedure of electro-analgesia and neuro-modulation. In essence, the goal of any analgesia technique is always to inhibit the transmission of the pain impulse using an electric stimulus. The Re-Generation device comes equipped with interchangeable tips for treating small, localized areas such as the temporomandibular joint or extended areas like the treatment of peripheral nerve canal syndromes such as the Sciatic Nerve.
The Re-Generation acts through the use of depolarizing high-tension microcurrents, blocking pain transmission by inhibiting nociceptors and promoting cellular regeneration. This technique of electroanalgesia works by acting on C-fiber receptors (specialized neurons that transmit pain sensations slowly and deeply) to provide a ‘counter-information’.
The analgesic effect is immediate. Just as chronic pain remodels neural circuits and creates ‘vicious circles’ that amplify suffering, repeated use of this therapy with a complete cycle of multiple sessions can, in turn, remodel these altered sensory circuits, reducing hypersensitivity to pain.
To date, the Re-Generation has been extensively tested on patients with various painful musculoskeletal symptoms, neuropathic pain, and even oncological pain in different pathologies. After just one application, the Re-Generation has proven extremely useful for patients with subacromial conflict syndrome and shoulder tendon pain, as well as rotator cuff tendinitis.
It has shown effective in inhibiting plantar fasciitis pain caused by calcaneal spurs. Positive results have been observed in patients with degenerative joint arthrosis with pain and functional limitation, treating all back pain (cervical, dorsal, lumbar, and sacro-coccygeal). It has shown very positive results in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis of the hand, demonstrating a clear reduction in pain with an increase in hand functionality.
Patients with chronic pain lasting more than six months and acute pain from recent trauma, such as ankle distortion, have also shown positive results. Positive outcomes have been achieved in the treatment of musculoskeletal and ligamentous problems such as iliotibial band syndrome with pain and limitation of mobility.
The technology has been tested in patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction, pain at the level of the masticatory muscles due to Bruxism and temporal mandibular joint pain. In this type of patient, a clear reduction in pain and muscle hypertonia, which generated Bruxism, both concentric and eccentric, has been observed.
The device has been used in a case of neurological rigidity due to Motor Neuron Disease, Sclerosis Laterale Amiotrofica. The patient showed a significant reduction in muscle hypertonia with a significant improvement in walking. The Re-Generation has been used as an antalgic therapy in the management of non-opioid-responsive oncological pain, showing significant reductions in perceived pain levels. The treatment has been focused on painful bone metastases after Radiotherapy.
The device has also been used in veterinary medicine. Specifically, dogs with degenerative joint arthrosis in their limbs have been treated. Already from the first treatment, the dog has improved its global mobility, indicating a significant reduction in pain. The joint range of motion and walking on all fours with complete weight distribution have improved.
The device has been well tolerated and accepted by all patients. No side effects of any kind have been observed, and all treated patients have shown a significant reduction in pain. The Re-Generation, a technology that has been proven effective in various pain management scenarios, calls for a renewed appreciation and proper implementation in the field of pain therapy.
