For millions of people dealing with chronic nerve pain, everyday life can feel like a nonstop struggle against something no one else can see. Whether it’s sharp, electric-like pain from sciatica or the constant burning sensation caused by peripheral neuropathy, chronic pain wears you down physically and emotionally. If physical therapy, injections, and medications don’t bring relief, patients can feel discouraged and hopeless.
Fortunately, a treatment called Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) has become a life-changing option for many people living with ongoing nerve pain. SCS, often described as a way to “turn down” pain signals, offers new hope.
How Spinal Cord Stimulation Works
To understand how SCS helps, it’s important to know how pain travels through the body. When a nerve is damaged or pinched, it sends electrical signals through the spinal cord to the brain. The brain then interprets those signals as pain.
A spinal cord stimulator is a small medical device, similar to a pacemaker, that is implanted under the skin. Thin wires, called leads, deliver gentle electrical pulses directly to the spinal cord.
This treatment is based on something called the Gate Control Theory of Pain. The electrical signals from the stimulator interfere with pain signals before they reach the brain. In simple terms, the stimulator “closes the gate” that allows pain messages through. Many patients feel a mild tingling sensation instead of pain, while others feel pain relief without any sensation at all.
Types of Nerve Pain SCS Can Treat
Spinal cord stimulation works best for neuropathic pain, which is pain caused by damaged or malfunctioning nerves. Conditions commonly treated with SCS include:
- Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS): Ongoing pain that continues even after spinal surgery.
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): Severe, long-term pain that usually affects an arm or leg after an injury.
- Arachnoiditis: Inflammation around the spinal nerves.
- Peripheral Neuropathy: Nerve damage often caused by diabetes or poor circulation.
The Spinal Cord Stimulator Trial
One of the biggest advantages of spinal cord stimulation is that you can try it before deciding on a permanent implant.
Patients first complete a 5-7 day trial period. During the trial, a doctor places the leads through the skin using a needle, similar to an epidural injection. These leads connect to a temporary external battery worn on a belt.
You then go home and test the device during your normal daily routine. If the stimulator reduces your pain by 50% or more, you are considered a good candidate for permanent implantation.
Final Thoughts
Spinal cord stimulation does not repair the original injury causing the pain, but it can greatly reduce how pain signals are felt. For people living with constant nerve pain, SCS offers a powerful way to regain comfort, mobility, and control.
Consult our pain management specialists at Genesis Pain Clinic for spinal pain stimulators. Call us at (913) 871-9888 to book your appointment.