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If you’ve been suffering from chronic back or neck pain that doesn’t respond well to other pain-relieving methods, spinal cord stimulation may be the solution. The board-certified physicians at Florida Pain Medicine, with offices in Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Brandon, Ormond Beach, Port Orange, Tampa, Riverview, and St. Petersburg, Florida, help patients get effective relief from pain with the use of spinal cord stimulation. Call or schedule an appointment online today to learn more.
Spinal Cord Stimulation Q & A
What is Spinal Cord Stimulation?
Spinal cord stimulation is a treatment where electrical impulses stimulate the nerves in your spinal cord. This process interferes with the pain signal path to your brain.
A small device implanted near your spine generates the electrical pulses and blocks the messages that your brain receives so you no longer feel intense or chronic pain. Spinal cord stimulation can help control the pain you experience as a result of nerve damage to your trunk, arms, or legs, as well as an ever-increasing number of health conditions.
How are the Electrical Currents Delivered?
There are three different devices, or neurostimulators, approved by the Food and Drug Administration to help manage painful, chronic conditions. They include:
- Conventional: These systems are low-maintenance, but require a minor surgical procedure to replace the power source if it depletes.
- Radiofrequency (RF): These devices are designed for patients with extreme pain in multiple areas. They last long periods of time at the highest output level and you have to wear an external power source to activate the device.
- Rechargeable: With this system, you recharge the power source each time it runs low. Rechargeable spinal cord stimulator devices usually last longer than conventional ones and may require minor surgery to replace the power source when it doesn’t hold a charge for a long enough period of time.
Who Can Benefit From a Spinal Cord Stimulator?
Good candidates for a spinal cord stimulator commonly include men and women with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). Your doctor assesses your overall health and the severity of your condition before prescribing spinal cord stimulation. In addition to those with FBSS, men and women with the following conditions may also benefit from a spinal cord stimulator:
- Chronic back or neck pain
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Arachnoiditis (inflammation and scarring in the spinal nerves)
- Refractory angina (chest pain and shortness of breath)
- Cervical radiculitis
- Lumbar radiculitis
- Neuropathy
Even if you’ve tried everything else to manage your chronic pain and nothing has brought relief, there’s still hope. The interventional pain management experts at Florida Pain Medicine understand your situation and encourage you to call or make an appointment online to see if spinal cord stimulation can give you back a higher quality of life free of constant pain.