Living with neck pain can be difficult, but you don’t have to face it alone. Spinal cord stimulation therapy acts as a “shield” that blocks pain signals before they reach the brain. This makes it an excellent option for relieving chronic pain, especially when other treatments or medications are no longer effective.
At University Pain and Spine Center, our friendly, expert team is here to support you. Living with neck pain can be difficult, but you don’t have to face it alone. Whether your pain is minor or severe, we’re dedicated to helping you feel like yourself again.
If you are dealing with chronic pain, spinal cord stimulation is a treatment option that uses a small implanted device to interrupt pain signals. It works by sending electrical impulses to the nerves, stopping the pain sensation before it reaches the brain. It is commonly used for chronic conditions like nerve pain or lingering back surgery issues.
In short, this system has two parts: very thin wires (called electrodes) and a small battery (the generator) much like a pacemaker. The wires are carefully placed on your back, in a protective space between your vertebrae and spinal cord. The battery is implanted under the skin, usually in the upper part of a buttock or in the abdomen. The system also comes with a remote control so you can send gentle electrical impulses yourself when you feel the pain increasing.
This treatment is primarily used when common methods (such as pills or physical therapy) have not provided the relief you need. It’s an excellent tool for managing various types of chronic pain, such as:
This stimulator can significantly improve your rest, sleep quality, and your daily life, while also helping you reduce your reliance on painkillers. It is typically used in conjunction with exercise routines, physical therapy, and relaxation techniques.
Spinal cord stimulation generally consists of two key steps:
After numbing the area with local anesthesia, the doctor will make a small incision (almost always in the abdomen or buttocks) to place the battery, and another small incision in the back to insert the permanent leads. These incisions are very small, about the size of a driver’s license.
During the procedure, the doctor may give you medication to help you stay relaxed and calm, and will ask for your feedback while adjusting the device to ensure it relieves your pain.
Most patients go home the same day, once the effects of the anesthesia wear off. During the first few days, it’s normal to feel some discomfort or fatigue around the incisions, but it’s very manageable. Initially, it’s very important to avoid sudden stretching, forcefully twisting your torso, or raising your arms to reach for things high up, as this could pull on the skin stitches.
Bandages will be applied to cover the wounds, which you can remove after two days, and the skin usually heals completely in about two weeks. Your doctor will provide you with a detailed recovery plan, but the general rule is to perform only light activities for the first two weeks.
Once your doctor clears you at your follow-up visit, you can resume your normal activities, return to work, and drive again (always remembering to turn off the stimulator while driving). This usually happens between the first and second week after the procedure.
Not at all. The battery is very small and thin, and it’s completely hidden under your skin (usually in the buttocks or abdomen). Once the small incisions heal, you can wear your usual clothes and move around freely. No one will notice you’re wearing it.
That’s no longer necessary. Older devices did replace pain with a constant tingling sensation. But the most modern ones are so advanced that they work silently: they completely eliminate pain without you feeling any vibration, electricity, or tingling in your body.
No, that’s not necessary. It’s a very minor surgery that lasts between 1 and 2 hours, and local anesthesia is used to numb the area. Since it’s a quick procedure, as soon as the anesthesia wears off and the doctor checks you over, you can go home to rest that same day.
Yes, of course, but take it easy. The first two weeks are for relaxing and doing light activities at home; avoid sudden stretching or lifting heavy objects to protect the stitches. In the second week, the doctor will tell you if you can return to work and start driving again (just remember to turn off your device while driving for safety).
Chronic pain shouldn’t keep you from living the life you love. If you’re ready to explore new possibilities, spinal cord stimulation could be the answer you’re looking for.
At University Pain and Spine Center, under the guidance of board-certified and award-winning pain specialists, such as Drs. Demesmin, O’Donovan, and Dedvukaj, you can go from simply enduring pain. Call us at 732-873-6868 or request an appointment to begin your journey toward lasting relief and a better quality of life.
