Spinal Stimulation Therapy

A program of:

• Neuroscience

Spinal Stimulation is an advanced therapy designed to relieve certain types of chronic pain. It is not a cure, however it may reduce pain to a manageable level, allowing for a return to a more functional lifestyle with less need for medication.

Spinal Stimulation therapy is provided as part of a comprehensive, multimodality, multidisciplinary treatment program.

How Spinal Stimulation works
For spinal stimulation to manage chronic pain, leads are implanted in the epidural space of the spine and connected to an implanted power source. Spinal Stimulation systems look and work a lot like pacemakers; they are sometimes called “pacemakers for pain”.

• A Spinal Stimulation system generates mild electrical pulses that are sent to nerves along the spinal cord.
• The electrical signals are thought to mask the transmission of pain perception and replace them with a gentle massaging sensation.

The Stimulation trial

Patients considering spinal stimulation therapy can undergo a stimulation trial, under the care of a pain physician, to help determine if Spinal Stimulation is a good option.

In a trial, a test lead is placed and connected to an external power source that delivers stimulation similar to a fully implanted system. If it works, a patient is not committed to the therapy, but can make an informed decision about whether they wish to proceed with spinal stimulation therapy.

About the procedures

All Spinal Stimulation therapy and trial procedures are brief and conducted on an outpatient basis with sedation, and no general anesthesia. This allows for early return to work. Once implanted, the system can be adjusted at home or office, or removed if desired. The effects are completely reversible.

Shona's Story

As a special education teacher, Shona LaSalle knows hopeful determination is a big factor in overcoming obstacles in the classroom. And after living with chronic pain for more than three years, it’s that same determination which led to LaSalle’s discovery of spinal stimulation therapy and eventually the return to her quality of life before the pain. Read Shona's story

Our expert care

The Spinal Stimulation Center is a collaboration between Neuroscience United, United Pain Center and United Neurosurgery Associates.

Photo: Front Row (L-R): Chris Timm-Hughes,RN, ANP and Margarget Guthrie, MD Middle Row (L-R): Carol Dressen, LSW; Una Edwardson, RN, ANP; Kathy Russell, RN; Angelito Sajor, MD; Todd Hess, MD and Penny Hodges-Goetz, NP Back Row (L-R): Gamaliel Batalla, MD; Katie Johnson, Peter A. Pahapill, MD, PhD and Robert Tolles, PhD, LP