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Neuro Modulation

Neurostimulation therapies are used for pain relief or symptom relief from certain types of chronic pain. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is actually a subcategory of neurostimulation, which also includes peripheral nerve stimulation. SCS and peripheral nerve stimulation use an implanted device—a neurostimulator—to deliver low levels of electrical energy directly to nerve fibers. This direct approach to treating pain at its source can be very effective.

The type of neurostimulation that might be appropriate for your condition depends on many factors, including the cause of your pain, its type, and location. To find out more about neurostimulation, follow our guide below.

What It Is—Neurostimulation is an "advanced" therapy that is used to relieve certain types of chronic pain. "Advanced" means that before deciding on neurostimulation, people have usually tried simpler options to relieve their pain. Neurostimulation therapy does require a minor procedure. This procedure is most commonly performed in two separate stages—a temporary trial and a permanent procedure.

What It Isn't—Neurostimulation is not a cure for what's causing the pain. It's a therapy that's designed to mask your pain by blocking pain signals before they reach the brain. Pain is then replaced with a more pleasant sensation called paresthesia.

What It May Do—Neurostimulation may help reduce your pain to a manageable level, so you may be able to return to some of the activities you enjoy. Many people consider neurostimulation successful if it reduces their current pain level by 50% or more.

 

How Spinal Cord Stimulation Works

For spinal cord stimulation (SCS) to control your pain, you must have a small system placed in your body. An SCS system looks and works a lot like a pacemaker. In fact, SCS systems are sometimes called “pacemakers for pain.” An SCS system generates mild electrical pulses and sends them to your spinal cord. These electrical pulses replace the feeling of pain with a tingling or massaging sensation.

To understand how spinal cord stimulation (SCS) works, it is helpful to understand the components of a spinal cord stimulation system. SCS systems typically consist of three components designed to work together:

Leads—Very thin cables that deliver electrical pulses to nerves along your spinal cord.
Generator—Small device that holds the electronic components and sends the electrical current through the lead.

 		 Controller—"Remote control” that lets you adjust the strength and/or location of the electrical pulses that are pre-programmed.

 

Spinal Cord Stimulation: A Proven Therapy for Pain

If you have been living with chronic pain, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) may provide new hope. Spinal cord stimulation has been identified to be an effective treatment option for many chronic pain sufferers.

 

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Spinal cord stimulation is a medical therapy for people who suffer from certain types of chronic pain. SCS uses a small implanted device to generate tiny electrical pulses that replace the feeling of pain with a tingling or massaging sensation.

Spinal cord stimulation is a widely accepted medical treatment. It is an FDA-approved therapy for treatment of chronic pain of the trunk and limbs (back, legs and arms). Many major health insurance plans, Medicare and worker’s compensation programs provide benefits and coverage for SCS therapy.

Each year as many as 50,000 neurostimulators are implanted worldwide.2 A study of chronic pain sufferers who used ANS neurostimulators3 revealed the following:

  • 84% reported that their quality of life was improved or greatly improved
  • 77% had good or excellent pain relief
  • 82% decreased their use of pain medications

SCS is not a cure for pain. The objective with this therapy is to reduce your pain to a manageable level.

Why Choose SCS?

Spinal cord stimulation has three significant advantages:

  1. It can be very effective in relieving certain types of pain in the back, legs and arms.
  2. You can try SCS before you have a permanent system placed in your body, so you'll know if the therapy will work for you.
  3. The system can be turned off permanently or removed if you don't get the level of relief you desire.

Will SCS Help Me?

Spinal cord stimulation is not for everyone—for several reasons:

  • Your doctor may want to try less advanced treatment options first, such as pain medications, physical therapy, nerve blocks or other therapies.
  • You may have a type of pain that does not respond well to SCS.

The best way to find out whether or not SCS could help you is to talk to your doctor about having an SCS trial. .

What Are the Potential Risks and Complications?

As with any surgical procedure or pain therapy, complications can occur. Although the risk of complications is low, you should discuss all risk factors and concerns with your doctor.

 

Here is a great article on neurostimulation and it's affects on PN patients.

Sacral Magnetic Stimulation for Pain Relief from Pudendal Neuralgia and Sciatica