Sacral magnetic stimulation for pain relief from pudendal neuralgia and sciatica

INTRODUCTION: Magnetic stimulation of the sacral nerve roots is used for neurologic examination. However, no one has reported therapeutic efficacy of pain relief from pudendal neuralgia with sacral magnetic stimulation. METHODS: Five patients with pudendal neuralgia or sciatica received 30 to 50 pulsed magnetic stimuli of the sacral nerve roots. The median age of the patients was 59 (range, 28-69) years; there were 3 females. RESULTS: Sacral magnetic stimulation immediately eliminated the pain. The pain relief lasted between 30 minutes and 56 days (median, 24 hours). Adverse effects were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Thus pilot study indicates that magnetic stimulation of the sacral nerve roots may be a promising therapeutic modality for pain relief from pudendal neuralgia and sciatica. Further studies should be performed to determine the appropriate intensity and frequency, as well as the utility of a second course, of magnetic stimulation treatment.