Chronic back pain presents unique treatment challenges. While drug-based pain management can lead to long-term side effects, neuropathic pain may not respond as expected to conservative treatments effective for acute episodes.
Comprehensive back pain management may include spinal cord stimulation, which can be recommended to reduce or eliminate medication use or to defer the need for surgery. Is it the right choice for your chronic lower back pain? Here’s what you should know.
Understanding Chronic Back Pain
Back pain that persists beyond 12 weeks is classified as chronic. Approximately 20% of patients with acute lower back pain experience ongoing symptoms a year later. Treatment typically follows a progressive protocol, starting with conservative therapies and advancing to more aggressive options until relief is achieved. If non-surgical methods fail, spinal cord stimulation may be considered prior to surgical intervention.
Mechanism of Spinal Cord Stimulators
The body’s nerve systems transmit electrical signals, including pain signals reported by sensory nerves in cases of chronic lower back pain. This pain may arise from nerve irritation or compression, and sometimes no identifiable injury is present. When pain significantly impacts quality of life, spinal cord stimulation can be an effective solution.
A spinal cord stimulator functions similarly to a heart pacemaker, but instead of regulating heart muscle activity, it disrupts pain signals sent to the brain. Patients may experience a tingling sensation known as paresthesia, although newer devices can eliminate this feeling.
Most spinal cord stimulator systems consist of three main components: an implanted pulse generator, probes directed to the spine, and an external remote control. Features may vary among brands, including options with rechargeable batteries.
Before permanent implantation, a week-long trial with a temporary system assesses the potential benefits of spinal cord stimulation. Many patients report a significant reduction or complete elimination of their pain medication needs.
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