Is Spinal Cord Stimulation Right for You?

The alarm sounds, and before your feet even reach the floor, the ache in your back has already started putting a damper on your day. If you’ve tried medications that wear off by lunch, steroid injections, physical therapy, or even a surgery that promised to fix things and didn't quite get there, there is still hope. 

Nearly 25% of adults in the United States report chronic pain that has lasted three months or longer. If you see yourself in that number, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) may offer the relief you’ve been looking for. But the idea of having a device implanted in the body usually raises a lot of questions. 

Read on to learn how SCS works, what to expect if you decide to try it, and where to find the best pain management specialist in Los Angeles to guide you through it. 

How Does Spinal Cord Stimulation Work?

Spinal cord stimulation involves placing a small device under the skin, similar in size and concept to a pacemaker for the heart. The device sends mild electrical pulses to the spinal cord, which interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain and change how your body perceives that pain. The system has two main parts: 

• Thin wires called leads sit near the spine in the area tied to your pain
• A small battery-powered generator rests under the skin, usually around the hip or buttock

You control the device with a handheld remote, adjusting the settings until the pain eases. For people who want to manage chronic pain without relying on daily medication, this approach offers an excellent treatment option. 

What Conditions Does Spinal Cord Stimulation Treat?

Spinal cord stimulation tends to work best for nerve-related pain, often called neuropathic pain, which many people describe as burning, tingling, or shooting sensations. Common conditions treated with spinal cord stimulation include: 

• Failed back surgery syndrome
• Neuropathic pain
• Complex regional pain syndrome
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Back pain caused by arthritis or spinal stenosis 

Before deciding if spinal cord stimulation is right for you, the best pain doctor in Los Angeles considers how long your chronic pain has lasted and whether it has responded to other treatment options like medication, steroid injections, and physical therapy. Candidacy for SCS also depends on whether you are healthy enough for the implant.

Can I Test a Spinal Cord Stimulation Before Getting a Permanent Stimulator?

When you choose the best spinal cord stimulation specialist in Los Angeles, you can try SCS before a permanent device is ever placed. During this trial period, a temporary stimulator with the battery pack worn outside the body is used. The trial usually lasts a week or two, giving you plenty of time to decide whether the treatment will work for you in the long term. 

During the trial, you can go about your normal routine while paying attention to how your pain levels change. The trial uses a clear benchmark to guide the decision. If your pain drops by 50% or more during this period, you are generally considered a good candidate for the permanent device.

Risks and Restrictions You Should Know About Before Getting Spinal Cord Stimulation

SCS is generally very well tolerated. Rare and temporary risks include: 

• Stimulation wires that move out of place
• Infection after implant surgery
• Inadequate pain relief
• Discomfort at the battery site

Serious complications are uncommon. Other things to know about having an SCS device include:

• Your device may set off metal detectors at airports
• You can swim once the permanent device has healed into place, though not during the trial
• Scuba diving is discouraged because water pressure can damage the implant

Finding the Best Spinal Cord Stimulation Specialist in Los Angeles

Deciding whether spinal cord stimulation is right for you or not requires seeing a specialist who knows this treatment inside and out. At our state-of-the-art clinic in Marina del Rey, we’ll guide you through every part of the process, from running the trial to answering every question that comes up along the way. 

Led by Dr. Akash Bajaj, who is triple board-certified in anesthesiology and pain management, our clinic provides the best spinal cord stimulation in Los Angeles. 

Ready to get effective relief from back pain with spinal cord stimulation from the best pain doctor in Los Angeles?