Sam Naylor, a 36-year-old Newcastle woman, was a fit and active outdoor enthusiast until chronic back pain forced her to put her life on hold. After years of suffering, she has become one of the first patients in the region to receive an innovative electrical implant called ReActiv8, which stimulates the lower back muscles to relieve pain.
From Active Lifestyle to Debilitating Pain
Sam's ordeal began with a slight pain on the left side of her lower back, noticeable only when leaning forward. Then one morning after a run, the pain was so severe she couldn't get out of bed. She described the pain as never fully going away and progressively worsening over time.
During flare-ups, Sam could be off work for a week or more, with pain radiating down her leg and across her lower back, making everyday tasks difficult. Simple actions like sitting for too long, such as while driving, could trigger debilitating pain lasting days. She tried every medication available, but the pain persisted, leading her to question her quality of life.
Finding Hope with the ReActiv8 Implant
After struggling since 2020, Sam underwent surgery in June to have the ReActiv8 device implanted. The procedure was performed by chronic pain specialist Dr. Sachin Rastogi and the pain team at Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust. The device, about the size of a pacemaker, is placed in the lower back with electrodes that stimulate the muscles to contract, building strength and improving function.
Sam expressed relief at finally having a specialist who recognized her symptoms and offered a potential solution. She said: "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."
How the Implant Works
Dr. Rastogi explained: "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. 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 device has had life-changing effects for the first patient who received it last year, and hospital bosses say it brings major life improvements. Dr. Rastogi added: "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. 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."
Looking Forward to a Pain-Free Future
Sam, who works at an outdoor equipment company, was confined to a desk job due to her pain. She now hopes to return to testing outdoor gear and marry her partner of 17 years, Chris, this autumn. The implant has given her hope that she can live a life unburdened by chronic pain.
