Neuromodulation for Chronic Pain

Dr. Giancarlo Barolat recounts the evolution of neuromodulation for chronic pain. Initially, neurosurgeons managed pain, but the field was taken over by anesthesiologists and pain management specialists in the 1960s-1980s. Dr. Barolat explains the history of neuro-implantable technologies and the discovery of drug delivery pumps, as well as the pioneers in chronic pain management. He notes that neurosurgeons eventually abandoned implantable technologies for spine instrumentation due to profitability, leaving the door open for anesthesia-based pain management.