Spinal Cord Stimulation

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Spinal cord stimulation is an excellent treatment option to reduce back  pain without back surgery or drug therapy. For patients living in and  around Campbell, California and San Jose, California, the team of  highly-skilled physiatrists at Spine & Sports Medical Group is an  invaluable resource for spinal treatments, including spinal cord  stimulators. Schedule your personalized consultation today to learn more  about your options. Online scheduling is available, or you are always  welcome to call or stop by the office to book your visit. 

Spinal  cord stimulation is a pain relief treatment that works by interrupting  the transmission of pain signals to your brain. It’s a great treatment  alternative for men and women who want to avoid surgery and prefer a  nonpharmaceutical source of pain relief. 

To understand spinal  cord stimulation it helps to think about how your body perceives pain.  When painful stimuli are encountered, your nerves work to carry those  pain signals to your brain. Your brain interprets those signals and  responds by sending a new set of signals back along your neural  pathways. 

For example, if you step on a sharp object, your nerves  instantaneously transmit pain signals to your brain. Your brain  responds immediately, instructing your muscles to lift your foot and  take the pressure off the source of pain. All of this happens within an  instant, and that quick communication is part of what allows human  beings to survive. 

Spinal cord stimulation alters the  transmission of pain signals, which reduces your ability to “feel” pain  in the targeted area. 

Spinal  cord stimulation requires several steps. The first part of the process  involves inserting a hollow needle into the portion of your spine where  the pain signals originate. A series of wires called leads are inserted  through the needle into the epidural space between your spinal cord and  bone tissue. 

The needle is withdrawn and the end of the wires  extend through your skin and into an external generator. The area where  the wires emerge is covered with a bandage, and the generator is held in  place by a belt. The generator emits a low-frequency electrical  current, which alters the pain signals so your brain cannot interpret  them properly. 

If the system relieves your pain for a few days,  you’ll return to have a permanent version implanted under your skin.  Both the trial and permanent versions are controlled by a hand-held  remote. 

Spinal  cord stimulation does nothing to alter the source of your pain; it only  serves to change the way your body communicates pain signals to your  brain. The goal of spinal cord stimulation is to achieve a 50-70%  reduction in pain. 

For most men and women, less pain enables them  to enjoy their lives more fully. It can also reduce dependence on drug  therapy, which is a top priority for many.

To explore spinal cord  stimulation in greater detail, call or schedule an appointment online  today. You’ll meet with a specialist who can explain the pros and cons  of this and various other treatment options.

We also see patients  in the following surrounding cities: Santa Clara, San Jose, Los Gatos,  Saratoga, Cupertino, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Milpitas,  Fremont, Morgan Hill, and Gilroy. Book your appointment today.