How Does Spinal Cord Stimulation Work?

Living with chronic pain can be a debilitating experience. affecting all aspects of life. For millions of people worldwide, chronic pain disrupts daily activities, hinders mobility, and diminishes the overall quality of life. Thankfully, advances in medical technology have given rise to innovative solutions, one of which is Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS). This groundbreaking technique has shown remarkable efficacy in providing relief to those suffering from chronic pain when traditional treatments have failed. Read more in this blog to learn about Spinal Cord Stimulation and how it can be a game-changer. Spinal Cord Stimulation is just one of the many treatments offered by physicians at Garden State Pain and Orthopedics.

Understanding Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)

Spinal Cord Stimulation, also known as neurostimulation, is a medical procedure that involves the use of a small implanted device to deliver electrical impulses directly to the spinal cord. These electrical signals modify the transmission of pain signals from the nerves to the brain, effectively interrupting the pain pathway and providing substantial relief.

How does Spinal Cord Stimulation Work?

Evaluation: Before undergoing SCS, a patient must undergo a comprehensive evaluation by a pain management specialist. This evaluation helps identify suitable candidates for the procedure and assess the underlying cause of the chronic pain. Spinal cord stimulation is only suggested to those who have exhausted all other treatments such as injections, surgeries, medications, and physical therapy. 

Trial Period: Once Spinal Cord Stimulation is elected, a trial period is conducted before permanent implantation. During this trial, a temporary SCS device is implanted externally on  the skin, and the patient wears it for a few days. This trial period helps determine the effectiveness of SCS in alleviating the patient's pain and ensures the appropriate placement of the permanent device. After one week, if a patient experiences more than 80% relief from pain,  they are approved for the implantation of the device.

Permanent Implantation: After a successful trial the patient can opt for permanent implantation. A small device, similar to a pacemaker, is implanted beneath the skin, usually in the lower back or buttock region. The device is connected to thin wires (leads) that deliver electrical pulses to the spinal cord.

Customization: Each patient's pain pattern is unique. Therefore, the stimulation parameters of the device can be customized according to the individual's needs. The patient often receives a remote control to adjust the stimulation intensity or program different settings based on various activities. 

What are the Benefits of Spinal Cord Stimulation?

Chronic Pain Relief: SCS is particularly effective for individuals suffering from chronic pain conditions, such as failed back surgery syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), neuropathy, and refractory angina, among others. It provides customized relief without the abuse of systemic drugs and opioids. 

Non-Invasive Alternative: SCS offers a non-invasive option for pain management compared to surgical interventions. It provides a viable alternative for those who may not be suitable candidates for surgery or have not found relief from other treatments.

Improved Quality of Life: By reducing pain levels, SCS can significantly improve a patient's quality of life. It may lead to increased mobility, improved sleep, and enhanced emotional well-being.

Reduced Medication Dependency: Spinal Cord Stimulation can reduce the need for opioid and other pain medications, thus helping to avoid potential side effects and risks associated with long-term medication use.

Reversible Procedure: Should a patient decide that SCS is not suitable for them or their pain diminishes significantly, the device can be removed without causing permanent damage.

Spinal Cord Stimulation is a newer innovative treatment option that we offer at Garden State Pain and Orthopedics. Spinal cord stimulation offers hope and relief to millions of people grappling with chronic pain. By leveraging cutting-edge technology to alter pain signals at their source, SCS has the potential to transform lives and restore joy and vitality to those previously burdened by persistent pain. As research and technology continue to advance, Spinal Cord Stimulation continues to evolve, offering even greater efficacy and improved outcomes for those in need. If you are interested in learning more about spinal cord stimulation, and if SCS is the right option for your specific condition please call or select “Book Now” to schedule an appointment with one of our Pain Management Physicians. 

Meet Pain Management Physician Saurabh Dang, MD, MBA

Dr Saurabh Dang is Board Certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine by the American Board of Medical Specialties.  A graduate of Hamilton College, in Clinton, NY, Dr Dang completed his internship in General Surgery at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, NY. He then went on to receive his training in Anesthesiology at New York Medical College, in Valhalla, NY. During his Anesthesiology training, Dr Dang was elected and served as Chief Resident and received the “Resident of the Year Award” during his final year of training. He went on to complete a fellowship in Interventional Pain Medicine at The University of Toledo, in Toledo, OH. He received his MBA from The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. 

Since completing his training, Dr Dang has been in private practice in New Jersey.  He has specialized in neuromodulation and the implementation of spinal cord stimulation and intrathecal drug delivery systems for the treatment of chronic pain.  He has been a faculty member for multiple fellowship training labs throughout the United States, teaching physicians on implantation techniques of spinal cord stimulators and intrathecal pumps.  Dr Dang has also served as a faculty member for various pain societies. 

In his private practice Dr Dang offers multiple therapies for the treatment of chronic pain including: Intrathecal drug delivery system implantation, Dorsal Column Spinal Cord Stimulation implantation, Dorsal Root Spinal Cord Stimulation implantation, Insertion of interspinous spacer for spinal stenosis, SI joint arthrodesis, kyphoplasty, minimally invasive lumbar decompression (mild procedure) for spinal stenosis, and percutaneous tenotomy among others.  He employs the multimodal approach for treating patients with chronic pain.

Dr Dang is an active member in many organizations including the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians and the North American Neuromodulation Society.  

Dr Saurabh Dang and Garden State Pain & Orthopedics are proud to be at the forefront of innovation with the 1st full commercial release site to both trial & implant of Saluda Medical’s Evoke Smart-Loop Spinal Cord Stimulators in the state of New Jersey. Saluda Medical’s Evoke Smart-Loop Spinal Cord Stimulators use evoked compound action potential guided neural targeting to give patients their unique prescriptive dose of stimulation. The system provides patients pain relief by auto-adjusting millions of times a day in real time with every movement, heartbeat, and breath.