If you’re among the more than one in five Americans who live with chronic pain, you know how life-altering it can be. Your symptoms can interfere with restful sleep and your ability to go about your daily tasks with ease, while fueling anxiety, stress, and depression.
If your attempts at relief haven’t gone far, consider spinal cord stimulation.
Our expert team at Houston Pain Specialists, led by board-certified pain management specialist Hui Kang, MD, offers this advanced treatment for nerve damage, arthritis, chronic sciatica, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and more.
If you’re a good candidate, spinal cord stimulation may be just the thing to help you find freedom from chronic pain. Here’s a look at its key benefits.
Spinal cord stimulation is designed to minimize chronic pain that hasn’t responded to conservative treatments, such as pain medication and physical therapy. In a study involving nearly 800 patients, spinal cord stimulation reduced pain by over 80% on average.
A range of factors makes oral or injected medication not ideal for some people. If you’ve experienced bothersome side effects from drug therapy or have an underlying condition, like heart disease or a bleeding disorder, spinal cord stimulation may provide a safer alternative.
In some cases, spinal cord stimulation reduces pain enough that you’re able to take less pain medication with your doctor’s approval. The treatment can also provide an alternative to opioid medicines, which have addictive properties.
Unlike surgery for chronic pain, spinal cord stimulation is customizable and reversible. Once the device is in place, you control the level of pain reduction with a handheld device or a smartphone app.
Our team will also preset programs on your device based on your needs and the results of your trial phase.
Your spinal cord stimulation should provide pain relief as long as the battery is up to date or fully charged. Your device battery will likely last for at least 2-5 years. A rechargeable battery tends to last for 10-25 years or even longer.
This can mean long-term results without the hassle of needing frequent medication refills or repeat procedures.
Improved quality of life is the most cherished benefit of spinal cord stimulation. A study involving people with failed back surgery syndrome, showed that the treatment can significantly improve mobility, daily life, and overall life quality.
When spinal cord stimulation diminishes chronic pain, you can expect to sleep better, enjoy better moods, and have an easier time socializing, working, exercising, and going about routine tasks. These benefits reduce stress, which further benefits your well-being.
To learn more about spinal cord stimulation or find out if you’re a good candidate, contact our Houston, Texas, office today to schedule an appointment.
