When Should I Consider Spinal Cord Stimulation for My Back Pain?

If you experience back pain, you understand the significant impact it can have on your quality of life. Traditional treatment methods, such as medications, physical therapy, and surgery may not always provide relief. That’s why here at Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute with offices in Plainsboro and Manalapan Township, New Jersey, Ronak D. Patel, MD, and our team offer spinal cord stimulation (SCS). This effective therapy might be the answer to your chronic back pain.

Spinal cord stimulation explained

Spinal cord stimulation is a procedure where we implant a small device near your spine. A gentle electrical current runs through the device to your spinal cord, interrupting pain signals before they can reach your brain, which results in less pain.

Why you may want to consider SCS for your back pain

When you book an appointment at Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute, Dr. Patel evaluates your chronic back pain to determine the best course of treatment. If you’ve had back pain for more than six months and conventional treatments haven’t provided relief, it may be time to consider SCS.

SCS might be beneficial if you suffer from conditions such as:

Failed surgery syndrome
Chronic pain syndrome
Degenerative disease
Sciatica
Phantom limb pain

The benefits of SCS include significant pain relief, reduced need for pain medications, and enhanced mobility and participation in normal activities. Bottom line — it can improve your overall quality of life.

What to expect during SCS

Before we permanently place an SCS device, you first undergo a trial period. During this time, we put in a temporary spinal cord stimulator to ensure it creates adequate pain reduction. This trial period typically lasts about a week. If you have successful results, we can implant a spinal cord stimulator permanently.

We usually perform the procedure on an outpatient basis. We give you local anesthesia and sedation so you won’t feel a thing. Dr. Patel makes a small incision near your spine and implants the device beneath your skin.

Once the device has been implanted, we program your pulse generator before you leave. When you return to have your sutures or staples removed, we can make adjustments to help you achieve optimal pain relief.

You can rely on our team to monitor your progress and ensure that the device functions correctly.

Knowing if SCS is right for you

Spinal cord stimulation is a viable option for you if you suffer from chronic back pain. By interrupting pain signals, the spinal cord stimulator can provide significant relief and help you spring into your daily routine with ease.

To find out if you’re a candidate for SCS, book an appointment with Dr. Patel and our team as soon as possible. We’re here to help.