Everyone experiences pain from time to time due to a variety of factors such as occupation, improper posture, injury, etc.
Pain that lasts for months or even years is called chronic pain. Sometimes, it doesn’t go away even after multiple treatments. When all non-surgical treatments have been exhausted, a pain specialist may recommend a special type of nerve stimulation therapy called spinal cord stimulation or neurostimulation. Spinal cord stimulators use electrical pulses to mask pain signals before they reach the brain, making them an effective solution for chronic pain sufferers.
At the Center for Pain Relief Institute of America, pain specialists offer innovative treatments for chronic pain, such as spinal cord stimulation. Your doctor determines if this treatment is right for you after a thorough evaluation of your symptoms so you can get lasting relief.
Understanding chronic pain
The feeling of pain is unpleasant. Thankfully, this symptom is usually short-lived and subsides when the injury or condition heals. However, pain that lasts for more than three months or longer than expected, especially after recovering from surgery, illness, or injury, is classified as chronic pain. Doctors still don’t know the exact cause of this pain. It may be triggered by a medical condition that you have recovered from or have not yet recovered from, or another ongoing illness such as arthritis or cancer. People may experience chronic pain without being injured or sick. Pain can be felt in different parts of the body, such as the back, head, and joints.
For many patients, chronic pain changes the way the spinal cord, nerves, and brain work together. Due to these changes, “pain” messages are transmitted from the spinal cord and nerves to the brain. It causes the brain to react as if there is harm, even though there is actually no harm.
How does spinal cord stimulation work?
Pain specialists implant between eight and 32 electrodes in a spinal cord stimulator between the vertebrae and the patient’s spinal cord. The device’s generator is placed just beneath the skin.
The patient has complete control over the spinal cord stimulator. They have a remote control to turn the device on or off or change the intensity of the device. The device works by sending a mild electrical current into the spinal cord and stimulating the nerves in the affected area. These currents mask or alter the pain signals before they reach the brain. A simple metaphor to illustrate a spinal cord stimulator is “noise-canceling headphones for pain.” At Pain Relief Institute of America Center, we have helped many patients find effective relief from chronic pain through spinal cord stimulator therapy.
The device replaces pain with a mild tingling sensation called paresthesia. Newer devices provide sub-perceptual stimulation to completely mask pain with no residual sensation. Patients can operate each type of spinal cord stimulator using the device’s remote control. The pain specialists at Pain Relief Institute of America provide patients with guidance on the best types of stimulators to control their pain and obtain lasting relief.
Types of chronic pain that spinal cord stimulators can help relieve
A spinal cord stimulator is a versatile device for treating a variety of pain conditions. Your pain specialist at Pain Relief Institute of America may recommend a spinal cord stimulator if you experience any of the following conditions:
Different Types of Spinal Cord Stimulators
There are three main types of spinal cord stimulation devices.
- Conventional Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG) – During spinal cord stimulator surgery, a pain doctor will place a battery in the spine. When the battery dies, the doctor replaces it. IPG is often indicated for patients with pain in only one part of the body.
- Rechargeable Implantable Pulse Generator – A pain specialist places the battery in the spine during surgery. The batteries are rechargeable, so these stimulators can generate more power. This device is often suitable for those with lower back or leg pain.
- Radio Frequency Stimulator – This type of stimulator uses an external battery. It contains rechargeable batteries and is suitable for people with lower back and leg pain.
Regardless of the type of spinal cord stimulator, patients can control the intensity level of the device.
Get Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapy at Pain Relief Institute of America Center!
If you’re not finding pain relief from multiple treatment options or are looking for an alternative to painkillers, spinal cord stimulation may be the right choice. However, it is necessary to consult a pain specialist to see if this treatment is right for you.
At Pain Relief Institute of America, our experienced pain doctors can discuss the various pain treatment options available to help you manage your chronic pain. We work with you to create a personalized care plan that will give you the best possible results.
The pain specialists at Pain Relief Institute of America Center offer spinal cord stimulation therapy as well as several other pain treatment options. Contact us today to find out if you are a candidate for spinal cord stimulation.
