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How Does Spinal Cord Stimulator Relieve Pain?

Chronic pain is a common problem affecting lives quality and energy output for many individuals. According to research, about 20% of Americans suffer from pain that negatively impacts their lives. Pain is among the most misdiagnosed problems; hence, you need a thorough diagnosis to get the right treatments.

Pain management techniques usually target to relieve the pain and restore your mobility and body function. Livingston spinal cord stimulation specialist M. Shah, MD SamWell Institute for Pain Management, offers various effective treatment options for pain. Contact the office today to learn more through a consultation.

What is spinal cord stimulation?

This pain management technique involves applying a low-voltage electric current along your spinal cord to adjust and block pain signals, thus relieving pain. Spinal cord stimulation is FDA-proven; hence, it is a safe treatment for chronic back, legs, or arms.

Who can benefit from spinal cord stimulation?

During your consultation at Samwell Institute for Pain Management, Dr. Shah will examine your situation to see if the treatment is proper for you. You may benefit from the treatment if:

  • You do not qualify for surgery.
  • You do not suffer from severe psychiatric disorders
  • Your pain does not result from malignancy
  • You don’t have medical contraindications
  • You are willing to decrease the use of pain medication

Before starting the treatment, Dr. Shah will put you on a trial period. The trial period involves wearing the device on your clothing where the leads with the electric current join your spinal cord. If you find pain relief during the trial period, your provider goes ahead with the implantation.

What to expect during the device implantation?

Your provider administers anesthesia to help with pain relief during the procedure.

Dr. Shah starts with placing the leads on your spinal canal at the particular point of source of pain. Then he tunnels the leads under the skin to your buttocks or abdomen, based on where he ought to place the device.

In the next step, he makes incisions to make room for the device and the leads, then closes the incisions. The procedure takes about 60 to 90 minutes, and after that, you may take some time in the recovery area for evaluation. Later Dr. Shah sends you home with instructions on pain management and daily activities.

What happens after the implantation of the spinal cord stimulator?

The results are different for everyone. A more considerable percentage of people get pain relief after the implantation of the spinal cord stimulator. As your pain decreases, your provider modifies the prescription medications.

What are the benefits of spinal cord stimulators?

Some of the advantages of using spinal cord stimulator for pain management include,

  • The treatment is reversible; you can remove the device if you wish to discontinue the treatment or if it is not working.
  • It’s minimally invasive hence requires few incisions
  • Minimizes the use of pain medications
  • Have few to zero side effects
  • It targets the source of pain, hence does not interfere with the rest of the body.

Contact a pain management specialist today!

Finding an effective solution to your pain can be tricky. However, working with a professional pain management expert is key to finding relief. Contact Dr. Shah today to learn how a spinal cord stimulator helps you relieve pain.

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