How Spinal Cord Stimulation Works to Manage Pain 

Chronic pain that isn’t improving can disrupt your physical, social, and emotional well-being. When not addressed, it can lead to a diminished overall quality of life.

Fortunately, if other treatments aren’t working to improve your chronic pain, a revolutionary procedure called spinal cord stimulation can end your pain without any major risks or side effects. 

Find out from our doctors and providers at Integrity Pain & Wellness, located in Scottsdale, Mesa, Glendale, and Prescott, Arizona, how spinal cord stimulation can manage your pain.

What is spinal cord stimulation?

Spinal cord stimulation is a pain relief treatment that works via a small, implanted device placed between vertebrae in your spinal cord. The exact location depends on where you need pain relief.

Once it’s implanted, the stimulator device works by sending signals to the painful area. These signals help block signals coming from your body that cause you to feel pain.

The device is fully controllable using a remote control device. You can change the level of signals transmitted depending on your pain levels and your current activity.

Chronic pain that spinal cord stimulation relieves

We recommend spinal cord stimulation for several types of chronic pain. Some conditions for which we might recommend this treatment are:

• Back pain
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Chest pain
• Failed back surgery
• Complex regional pain disorder

Spinal cord stimulation is especially helpful with relieving many types of nerve-related pain.

The benefits of spinal cord stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation comes with several benefits over other forms of pain relief. These include:

Targeted pain relief

Many pain relief treatments have the same effects throughout the body, including areas where you feel no pain. When using spinal cord stimulation, you only receive pain relief in the areas you experience chronic pain.

Few to no side effects

Chronic pain medications can cause opioid addiction and cause you to become dependent on them. On the other hand, it’s rare for spinal cord stimulation to have any side effects.

We insert the spinal cord stimulator via minimally invasive surgery with far fewer risks and recovery time than traditional surgery. Once you’re recovered from the procedure, you shouldn’t notice a thing.

Ability to try the treatment before committing

You can use a trial spinal cord stimulator before permanently committing to it. We ask you to try the treatment for a few weeks, and we recommend getting a permanent spinal cord stimulator if your pain is consistently reduced by at least 50%.

How getting spinal cord stimulation works

Spinal cord stimulation surgery is an in-office procedure in which we use tiny incisions to place the stimulator into your spinal cord. You’re under anesthesia and shouldn’t feel any pain during this short procedure.

First, we temporarily place a trial device, which allows you to see if the spinal cord stimulator offers you pain relief. If you like the device, we perform a very similar procedure to insert the device permanently.

Once you’re recovered from surgery and attend your follow-up appointment, you shouldn’t be able to see or notice the stimulator. Once every 5-10 years, you may need a shorter procedure to replace the device’s battery.

If chronic pain is getting in the way of your life, spinal cord stimulation could be right for you. Contact us to learn more about this incredible procedure.