Spinal Cord Stimulation

What is spinal cord stimulation?

Spinal cord stimulation is a pain management device that alleviates discomfort by altering pain signals to your brain. It delivers electrical stimulation to the spinal cord, dorsal root ganglion, and brain to reduce or alter your pain sensations.

The device consists of:

Neurostimulator

The neurostimulator is the device that generates electrical impulses. Similar to a pacemaker, the neurostimulator goes under the skin in your upper abdomen or buttocks. 

Leads

The leads are thin, insulated wires that deliver the electrical impulses to the epidural space near your spine. 

Patient’s programmer

The patient’s programmer is a handheld device you use to customize the electrical stimulation to match your pain needs. 

What is peripheral nerve stimulation?

Peripheral nerve stimulation is similar to spinal cord stimulation. However, instead of delivering the electrical impulse to your spinal cord, peripheral nerve stimulation delivers the impulses to your peripheral nerves, which are the nerves outside your central nervous system. 

Am I a candidate for spinal cord stimulation?

Only you and your pain specialist at Advanced Pain Management can determine if you’re a candidate for spinal cord stimulation. If you have a chronic neuropathic pain condition and other forms of pain treatments fail to provide relief, then spinal cord stimulation may be the right treatment for you. 

Pain conditions that benefit from spinal cord stimulation include:

• Back pain
• Neuropathic pain
• Sciatica
• Complex regional pain syndrome
• Failed back surgery syndrome
• Spinal cord injuries
  
  

If you have a neuropathic pain condition and your current pain management plan isn’t working, schedule a consultation at Advanced Pain Management. 

What are the benefits of spinal cord stimulation?

When it comes to managing chronic pain, spinal cord stimulation offers many benefits. For example, you can undergo a trial spinal cord stimulation to see if it helps your pain before permanent placement of the device. 

The neurostimulator also targets the exact source of your pain, which may provide better pain relief than oral medications. And, you control the device, allowing you to adjust the stimulation as your pain changes throughout the day.

Even after placement, your spinal or peripheral nerve stimulator can be removed when needed. 

Call Advanced Pain Management or make an appointment through the online scheduling tool to see if you’re a candidate for spinal cord stimulation or peripheral nerve stimulation.