If you suffer from chronic pain, and are interested in decreasing your use of anti-inflammatory or opioid medications, a spinal cord stimulator can bring you relief. A spinal cord stimulator is a device that stimulates the spinal cord with electrical impulses, similar to a pacemaker. The electrical impulses are sent by an electrical wire that is implanted below the skin in the spine. In a trial, we determine whether the stimulator will help the pain prior to recommending a permanent stimulator.A spinal cord stimulator works by stimulating the nerves in the area where you’re feeling pain. The pain is reduced because the electrical pulses modify and mask the pain signal from reaching your brain.The goal for a spinal cord stimulator is 50 to 70% pain reduction, and depending on the battery type can last from 2 to 10 years.
A spinal cord stimulator can bring chronic pain relief for a wide range of conditions including:
- Back pain
- Leg pain
