Do you often experience back pain at the end of the day? If so, you’re not alone. Roughly 80 percent of Americans will have back pain at some point in their lives.

But what do you do when your back pain is constant? Chronic back pain is more than just an annoyance. It can make it harder to do everyday tasks and may even prevent you from working.

If you’ve tried medication, back braces, trigger point injections, or any of the other numerous treatment options and are still feeling pain, it may be time to try spinal cord stimulation.

Do you want to learn more about this treatment for chronic back pain and all of the advantages it offers? Then keep reading!

What Is Spinal Cord Stimulation?

Wondering what exactly spinal cord stimulation is?

Well, it’s a type of surgery where a small battery-powered device is implanted near your spine. It then delivers mild electric currents to your spinal cord to block pain signals before they reach your brain.

You can control the electric currents with an external remote control. You can also turn the device on and off if you wish.

Now that you have a basic idea of what spinal cord stimulation is, let’s talk about why it may be the best option for you. We’ve listed the primary advantages of this treatment below.

1. It’s Adjustable

No two patients are alike. So it makes sense that the perfect solution to your chronic pain would be customized to you and your pain levels throughout the day.

Spinal cord stimulation does just that. You can adjust the level of electric currents from day to day or throughout the day as needed. If the pain gets worse, feel free to increase the electric currents to give yourself relief.

2. It’s Reversible

Of course, not every treatment works for every person. You may find that spinal cord stimulation isn’t for you.

You can have peace of mind knowing that this procedure is reversible. A surgeon can remove the implant and other accompanying equipment, and you won’t be left with any long-lasting side effects.

3. You Go through a Trial Run

Are you still a little worried that this treatment won’t work for you? Well, you’ll get a chance to experience a taste of spinal cord stimulation before undergoing surgery.

That’s right – it’s become commonplace to undergo a trial period first. How many other procedures can say that?

During this trial period, a temporary lead will be placed over specific nerves. You’ll wear an external generator on a belt that will let you see how effective this treatment will be.

If it turns out it’s not for you, you can walk away and research other options with no harm done.

4. You Won’t Need Prescription Drugs

Prescription drugs are a common treatment plan for those with chronic pain. However, there are quite a few downfalls.

Depending on your insurance, you may be paying a large sum out-of-pocket to get your prescriptions. This can cause a huge financial strain since you’ll need to keep paying for them month after month.

Additionally, taking prescription painkillers over a long period of time can result in addiction and drug abuse. In fact, roughly two million Americans have a substance abuse problem that stems from prescription painkillers.

Spinal cord stimulation can help reduce the painkillers you take and may even allow you to stop using them completely. Not only will this help you save money in the long run, but it’ll decrease your risk of addiction. 

5. Almost No Side Effects

Does your current medication make you feel drowsy or nauseous? Unfortunately, both prescription and over-the-counter medications typically come with a long list of side effects.

Spinal cord simulation works by blocking pain signals in one specific area. This means you won’t have to worry about any side effects that affect other parts of your body.

In fact, there are very few side effects to this option, and many people don’t experience any at all. 

6. Fast Recovery Time

The possibility of getting surgery is always a scary thought. You may also be worried about the long recovery time that could keep you out of work.

However, this isn’t a problem with spinal cord stimulation. You’ll experience mild discomfort for a few days after surgery, but that’s it. You won’t have to worry about taking weeks or months off from work to recover.

7. It’s Convenient

Alright, so getting surgery is never really convenient. But compared to other treatment options, spinal cord stimulation is, in fact, convenient.

You won’t need to worry about hitting the pharmacy every month for prescription refills or seeing your doctor every few weeks. You also won’t have to worry about long recovery periods that are needed for other types of spinal surgery.

Instead, you’ll go through your trial run, have the surgery, and be back to work in no time. You can continue this treatment plan for years without the need for regular doctor appointments.

Say Goodbye to Chronic Back Pain for Good

Don’t let chronic back pain stop you from living your best life. If you feel like you’ve exhausted all your other options, it may be time to give spinal cord stimulation a try.

Request an appointment with us today to discuss spinal cord stimulation or other treatment options. We can help you manage pain in many areas of the body, from your head to your feet.