Spinal Cord Stimulation Q & A
What is spinal cord stimulation?
Spinal cord stimulation uses mild electrical pulses to relieve pain. The electrical stimulation blocks or masks the nerves sending pain messages to your brain. If your brain doesn’t get the signal, you won’t feel as much pain even though the underlying condition is still there.
What conditions improve with spinal cord stimulation?
The nerves that pick up pain signals in your body travel through the spinal cord to carry the message to your brain.
Since spinal cord stimulation blocks the signals at your spinal cord, it can treat many painful conditions, including:
- Arthritis
- Sciatica
- Neuropathy
- Herniated discs
- Spinal stenosis
- Cancer pain
- Joint pain
- Degenerative disc disease
- Failed back surgery
- Complex regional pain syndrome
You may also use spinal cord stimulation to deal with ongoing pain after a joint replacement.
How does a spinal cord stimulator work?
Spinal cord stimulators consist of a pulse generator, lead wires, and a remote control. Here’s how they work:
Pulse generator
This is a small programmable device that produces the electrical pulses. Your doctor implants it under your skin and attaches it to the lead wires.
Lead wires
The lead wires are long wires with tiny electrodes at the end. The wires carry the impulse to the electrodes, and then the electrodes send the impulse into targeted nerves in your spinal cord.
Your doctor at DYNAMIC Pain and Wellness threads the wires through the epidural space that runs along your spine, placing the electrodes near the spinal nerves carrying your pain signals.
Remote control
The handheld remote control is used to adjust the generator’s settings and turn the generator on and off.
How do I know if spinal cord stimulation will work for me?
You will have a seven-day trial to determine if the spinal cord stimulator relieves your pain. Your doctor inserts the lead wires, but you wear the generator instead of having it implanted. By the end of the week, you can decide if it worked well enough to keep the device.
Am I a good candidate for spinal cord stimulation?
If you want a spinal cord stimulator, you must:
- Have a successful trial period
- Have chronic pain (three months or longer)
- Have ongoing pain despite other treatments
- Have a successful psychological evaluation
- Be unable or unwilling to have spine surgery
- Not have an untreated drug addiction
- Not wear a pacemaker
The best way to learn if you’re a good candidate for spinal cord stimulation is to schedule an appointment. Call DYNAMIC Pain and Wellness or use the online booking feature today.
