Many patients reach a point when standard treatments for chronic back pain, such as medications, physical therapy, injections, or surgery no longer provide meaningful relief.
At that point, Dr. John S. Michels, award-winning pain management physician at ISP Health in Dallas, Texas, may consider spinal cord stimulation (SCS). This innovative therapy is designed for people with persistent pain who want an alternative to major surgery or long-term medication use.
Understanding how spinal cord stimulation works can help you decide whether it may be a reasonable next step.
Spinal cord stimulation is a proven pain management therapy used to treat long-standing back and nerve-related pain.
It involves delivering low-level electrical signals to specific areas near the spinal cord to alter how the nervous system processes pain signals. Instead of reaching the brain at full strength, pain signals are dampened, making pain more manageable.
The system consists of thin electrical leads placed near the spinal cord and a small battery-powered device implanted under the skin. Patients can control the stimulation using an external remote, allowing adjustments based on activity level or comfort.
Chronic pain is often the result of damaged or irritated nerves that continue sending pain signals long after the original injury has healed. Spinal cord stimulation works by interrupting these signals before they reach the brain.
Newer spinal cord stimulation technologies can reduce pain without causing tingling (an adverse effect of older stimulators), making the therapy comfortable and discreet for daily life.
One of the most valuable features of spinal cord stimulation is the trial phase. Before a permanent device is implanted, patients undergo a short trial lasting about a week to assess the level of relief they experience. The trial is performed similar to an epidural steroid injection, where the spinal cord stimulator leads are placed through the skin, through a small needle, into the epidural space. The leads are then attached to an external battery and taped to the patient’s back. The patient is encouraged to do their normal activities. A successful trial should provide a minimum of 50% improvement in pain, but often provides greater than 80% relief.
If your pain improves significantly, permanent implantation may be considered.
Dr. Michels may recommend SCS for patients with:
SCS is especially helpful for patients who are not good candidates for additional surgery or want to avoid long-term use of pain medications.
Patients who respond well to spinal cord stimulation often experience:
Because the system can be adjusted or removed, spinal cord stimulation offers greater flexibility and control than many other pain treatments.
If chronic back pain continues to limit your life despite multiple treatments, spinal cord stimulation may be worth exploring.
Dr. Michels starts with a comprehensive evaluation to identify the underlying cause of your pain and determine whether this therapy aligns with your condition, lifestyle, and long-term goals.
For many individuals, SCS provides a meaningful opportunity to regain comfort, independence, and hope. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Michels at ISP Health today. Call us or click here to book online.
