There is nothing more daunting and demoralizing than chronic pain. Simple household chores or grocery store visits turn hard to execute. Fortunately, Livingston spinal cord stimulation can offer much-needed relief for persons struggling with certain forms of chronic pain. Referred to by some specialists as a ‘pain pacemaker,’ spinal cord stimulation is now a generally acknowledged therapy for chronic pain. Check out this post to learn all you should know about this innovative pain relief therapy.
What Does the Spinal Cord Stimulation Procedure Involve?
Spinal cord stimulation entails utilizing electric current to prevent pain signals from getting to the brain. Dr. Shah inserts a lead close to the spine, which transmits modest electric signals to your brain. This treatment typically lasts one and two hours and is performed under local or general anesthesia.
If successful, you should anticipate having permanent leads inserted in your spine and a lifelong generator inserted in your chest, belly, or buttocks. Moreover, your doctor can place generators outside the body.
A wire connects the leads to the generator, and you can use an independent controller to regulate the generator’s electrical current. Therefore, you can tailor the degree of back pain alleviation to your specific needs.
Why Consider a Spinal Cord Stimulator?
Dr. Jay Shah advocates this treatment for patients with persistent back pain that does not respond to conventional therapy or discomfort that worsens with time. Other reasons to explore spinal cord stimulation include complex regional pain syndrome, leg or arm nerve discomfort, and brain or spinal cord inflammation. Moreover, once invasive and noninvasive therapies fail, a spinal cord stimulator is frequently seen as a viable choice.
Is It Safe?
Spinal cord stimulator implantation is a less invasive technique that has reduced hazards than conventional surgery. This procedure only necessitates using tiny cuts; thus, you should expect little downtime and reduced danger of excessive bleeding, infection, and other issues. However, the implanted stimulator might sometimes fail to function correctly because of damage to the leads and generators.
Is It Effective?
Spinal cord stimulation is proven effective at alleviating persistent back pain. In fact, numerous patients who have undergone this procedure report about a 50% reduction in their pain. However, this procedure does not address the underlying reason for your pain. For these concerns, you need to try other treatments.
The top benefits of spinal cord stimulation include:
- Reduced need for prescription painkillers
- Adjustable pain relief
- Low adverse effects
Additionally, spinal cord stimulation is more cost-effective than other treatments. However, note the permanent generator cannot function without batteries. These batteries may last five years before replacement is necessary, but rechargeable options are available.
Back pain is a typical concern that often resolves with conservative therapy. Unfortunately, other people are not as lucky. If you are one of the many who struggle with chronic back pain, you should consider spinal cord stimulation. Dr. Jay Shah performs this procedure using innovative techniques and advanced technologies to ensure desirable outcomes. To determine if this procedure is appropriate for you, schedule an initial consultation today through mobile or book online.
