Has your world grown smaller because of chronic pain? Perhaps you’ve had to give up some favorite hobbies because you’re in pain. Our board-certified interventional pain management physicians with BioHealth Pain Management develop customized treatments to improve your mobility and your quality of life.
Your physician may recommend spinal cord stimulation to ease your pain. While it’s not the answer for everyone, it’s helped many patients regain lost function.
A spinal cord stimulator (SCS) is an implanted medical device that helps relieve chronic pain. It sends electrical impulses to your spine that disrupt pain signals. We implant a small generator just below waist level in your back which delivers controlled bursts of electricity to electrodes in the epidural space in your spine. You can adjust the level of electrical pulses with a remote.
Because the SCS system requires implanting a small device, you wear the device externally for a two week trial period to see if it helps relieve your pain enough to warrant wearing it. Your physician implants the stimulator during an outpatient procedure, making a small incision in your lower back. Don’t worry; you’re sedated during the procedure.
Your physician may recommend SCS for the following types of conditions:
The SCS isn’t the only therapy we employ for your chronic pain. It’s an adjunct to other treatments including physical therapy, injections, anti-inflammatory medications, relaxation techniques, and massage.
We train you in how to use the SCS to relieve your pain. We include instructions on device maintenance, including recharging or replacing batteries, which varies by model and brand.
You’ll be able to adjust the strength of the electrical pulses using a remote control included with the SCS. You may find that one setting works better for sitting while another offers improved pain relief when walking. During the trial period, we program a few settings that you find helpful, making it easy for you to use the stimulator.
You can have X-rays or CT scans with a SCS, but you need to turn it off during the tests. You won’t be able to have an MRI with a SCS.
When going through an airport, you may set off airport or security screening machines, but we provide you with written documentation that may allow you to skip machine screening. If you’re required to go through the metal screener, turn off the stimulator before passing through the gate.
We recommend not using the device when driving. If you’re a swimmer, there’s good news. Swimming won’t harm the stimulator.
Although a SCS isn’t a magic cure, if it works for you, you’ll enjoy increased mobility and better quality of life because you have less pain.
Call BioHealth Pain Management or book an appointment at one of our three convenient locations through our online portal today to see if you’re a candidate for a spinal cord stimulator.
