Safe & Simple Post-Surgical Pain Relief after cardiac surgery and C-section
NociRelief is a small, wearable prescription medical device indicated for adjunctive symptomatic relief of post-operative pain following cardiac surgery, and symptomatic relief of post-operative pain following Cesarean section (C-section) delivery. The device is placed on one ear by a healthcare professional and worn continuously for up to 72 hours (3 days) beginning shortly after surgery.
Medication-free · Non-surgical · Clinician-applied
When post-surgical pain becomes a barrier to recovery
Common experiences described by patients. NociRelief may offer an alternative worth discussing with your provider.
I know I need to get up and walk to recover, but every time I try, the pain makes me want to stay in bed.
I'm tired of feeling groggy. I want to be alert and focused on my recovery.
I want to be fully present for my newborn, but the C-section pain makes it hard to even sit up comfortably.
The pain isn't just physical; it's exhausting. I would love to rest without waking up every time I move or cough.
Why standard treatments can fall short
The gaps patients and providers describe most often — friction points that delay or derail the start of treatment.
Sedation or grogginess from standard pain medications
Nausea or constipation as medication side effects
Slower mobilization during recovery
Need for additional medications to manage side effects
A different approach
Delivers gentle electrical signals through specific nerve branches in the outer ear, including the vagus nerve, that are connected to pathways involved in pain perception and sensory processing
Medication-free — does not introduce medication into breast milk
Non-surgical and minimally invasive — four tiny microneedles placed on the outer ear
Simple, brief application without anesthesia or sedation
What patients commonly report
Lower post-surgical pain scores at rest
Lower pain scores during movement, coughing, and deep breathing
More consistent pain relief across the first 72 hours after surgery
Less need for additional opioid pain medicine after surgery
Chakravarthy, M., et al. (2018). Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (PENS) of the auricle for acute pain management post cardiac surgery.
Chakravarthy, M., et al. (2019). Evaluation of Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation of the auricle for relief of postoperative pain following cesarean section.
Individual results may vary
What to expect
Placement
A clinician places the device on the outer ear shortly after surgery.
Continuous wear — up to 72 hours
Patients typically continue routine recovery activities while wearing the device.
Removal
The device is removed by a healthcare professional at approximately 3 days.
- 01Class II FDA-cleared medical device
- 02No serious adverse events or complications reported in clinical studies
- 03Reported side effects were rare, generally mild and temporary
- 04NociRelief is not MRI-compatible and is not recommended in patients with certain implanted electrical devices unless cleared by a specialist
- 05Appropriateness for treatment is determined by a licensed healthcare provider
Questions about NociRelief
NociRelief is a prescription medical device. This webpage is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Patients should consult a licensed healthcare provider to determine whether NociRelief is appropriate for them. Distributed by MAI Medical USA Inc.
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