Men and women in in the Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley area who suffer from chronic neck and back pain -who have found no relief from surgery?may be candidates for Spinal Cord Stimulation, provided by top pain management physician, Dr. Ryan Peterson. In fact, candidates for Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) often suffered from what is generally referred to as failed back surgery syndrome.
Those who suffer from chronic back and neck pain, men and women who experience pain and suffering from sciatica or arm pain (radiculopathy) may be viable candidates for Spinal Cord Stimulation. In other cases, individuals who experience reduced quality of life due to pain from peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain resulting in burning feeling), Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (also known as CRPS), or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy may be candidates for SCS.
This type of pain management therapy offered in Southern California by Dr. Ryan Peterson works by masking pain signals before they have the chance to reach the brain. In this procedure, a Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) is surgically inserted under the skin. It then sends a mild electric current through your spinal cord, via a small wire, which carries the electrical current to the nerve fibers of the spine.
The appropriate amount of stimulation will first be programmed by Dr. Peterson. However, as the patient, you will ultimately be responsible for turning it on and off and adjusting the amount of stimulation you receive through a controller.
Like many pain management therapy modalities, Spinal Cord Stimulation does not resolve the problem or source of the pain. Instead, it disrupts the nerve signal to the brain, ultimately reducing the amount of pain that the patient has.
Pain reduction results from Spinal Cord Stimulation in Los Angeles will vary based on the individual. Typically, the goal is to reduce pain by 50-75%, which can drastically improve your quality of life. Unfortunately, Spinal Cord Stimulation won't work for everyone. However, it does enable many individuals suffering from back pain, neck pain, and nerve pain to reduce the amount of pain medication necessary to make life bearable. It's worth noting that some individuals find the tingling sensation caused by Spinal Cord Stimulation to be unpleasant or irritating.
After you've had the device implanted, you will likely experience back pain, and potentially swelling. However, most men and women who receive a Spinal Cord Stimulator, can return to light activities in a few weeks, with strenuous activity on hold for a few months.
If you've been suffering from chronic back or neck pain, which has not been resolved through spine or neck surgery, you may be a candidate for a Spinal Cord Stimulation. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Peterson today. Dr. Peterson is Board-Certified in Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine, and Addiction Medicine.