Whether or not you have been diagnosed with arthritis, you might never need those damaging pain medications again to live a pain-free life, even after years of relying on them to get by. Back then, arthritis was a life sentence that meant you had to give up many of your favorite activities. PT treatments including spinal treatments, have evolved over the last few decades, and physical therapists are now dedicated to helping suffering patients find pain relief and full range of motion without surgery.

As a treatment for chronic pain, spinal cord stimulators inhibit the sensation of pain through neurostimulation. If you have tried various treatment methods but haven’t found relief from chronic back pain, don’t give up. Spinal cord stimulators are among the latest pain relief options offered by Dr. Ilana Etelzon. Whether you suffer from lower back pain, neck pain, or pinched nerves nerves, sciatica or musculoskeletal disorders in New York City, Dr. Etelzon can help. The doctor is highly trained and experienced in pain management, as well as minimally invasive procedures and regenerative therapies.

A spinal cord stimulator delivers mild electric currents to your spinal cord surgically under your skin. Pulse generators send current to spinal cord nerve fibers via thin wires. Rather than sending pain signals to the spinal cord, SCS sends impulses that compete with them. Consequently, your body’s pain messages are blocked or modified. With SCS, the goal is to reduce pain by over 50%. Despite this, even a small reduction in pain can have significant effects if it makes it easier to perform daily activities and reduces your pain medication use. Patients experience a 76% reduction in pain on average.

A variety of checks are performed before a candidate is eligible for a spinal cord stimulator. This treatment is determined by your physical condition, medication regimen, and history of pain. Neurosurgeons, physiatrists, and pain specialists will review all previous treatment and surgery. In addition to its physical effects, chronic pain also has emotional effects, you will be assessed by a psychologist to maximize the chance of success. A candidate for SCS usually suffers from chronic debilitating pain in the lower back, leg (sciatica), or arm for at least 6 months. If conservative therapies have not worked, you may be a candidate for SCS. Additional surgery would not be beneficial to you. A further surgery will increase your risks and take a long time to recover. SCS may be preferred over a large, complex spine surgery in some cases.