In your search for relief, you may have heard of spinal cord stimulation as a possible back pain treatment. While it may not be right for everyone, many patients experience life-changing effects from this procedure. Here is what you should know about spinal cord stimulation, according to the staff at our center for pain management in St. Augustine, FL.
Spinal Cord Stimulation Blocks Pain Signals: By stopping or otherwise modifying the activity of your pain-signaling nerves, spinal cord stimulation prevents the sensation from reaching your brain—and thus being experienced by you.
A Small Device Is Implanted in Your Back: While spinal cord stimulation requires surgery, it is a minimally invasive procedure. The device is implanted near your spine, where it sends electrical signals to disrupt your nerves’ activities. You can control the device’s electrical signal for personalized pain management.
You Can Try It Out Before Implantation: Before having the device permanently implanted, you may test whether it is the proper back pain treatment for you with a trial period. The wires that hold the implant will be inserted through an outpatient procedure, but the device will remain external. These trial periods typically last for five to seven days, allowing you to see what your life can be like with spinal cord stimulation.
