Back pain is never welcome, even when temporary. Fortunately, most cases are. But when these problems become chronic, your life can slow to a crawl.
Chronic pain can compromise virtually every skill you need to get through the day, take care of yourself, and tend to family and friends. Medications that work for occasional pain aren’t the answer for long-term relief.
At Westside Pain Specialists in Beverly Hills, Newport Beach, and Rancho Cucamonga, California, Dr. James Nassiri and our team frequently recommend spinal cord stimulators (SCS) for our patients suffering from chronic conditions.
This tiny implant could end years of back pain, making life liveable once again.
You’re likely aware that your body’s nervous system is bioelectric, a complex natural computer system driven by small electrical charges. These electrical signals send pain messages to the brain for interpretation, and, as it happens, these signals can be deliberately modified.
That’s the principle behind SCS. Tiny electrodes implanted along the nerve that reports chronic pain to the brain can scramble the pain messages, relieving the uncomfortable sensations you deal with daily.
It’s not a cure for chronic pain, but when there’s no alternative, SCS can keep your condition quiet within your body.
An SCS system has three basic components. Though there are different manufacturers and models, every SCS device works in a similar way.
Your SCS experience typically starts with a trial device. The generator and controller may both be external during your trial phase.
Implanting an SCS system is a minimally invasive procedure that takes place in an outpatient setting. There are two procedures, one for the temporary system to confirm that SCS works for you and the second for your permanent implant.
When you receive the implanted generator, we usually place it at the top of one of your buttocks, with the leads threaded under your skin up to the target nerve near your spine.
SCS presents an adjustable pain modulation device that we can custom-tailor to your pain experience. The key goal is reducing the amount of pain you experience. Sometimes, the SCS device may eliminate pain while other times it may only reduce it.
SCS can potentially reduce your dependence on pain medication while improving your mobility as well as your quality of living. You’re a good candidate for SCS when:
Contact us at Westside Pain Specialists at our nearest location to arrange a consultation. Call the office of your choice to book your visit. The path to chronic back pain relief starts today.
