Spinal cord stimulation

As an intervention for chronic back and/or leg pain, spinal cord stimulation can be an effective alternative or adjunct treatment to other therapies that have failed to manage pain on their own. An implantable system delivers electrical pulses via a lead to nerves in the dorsal aspect of the spinal cord. Pain signals are inhibited before they reach the brain and replaced with a tingling sensation (parasthesia) that covers the specific areas where the pain was felt. 1,2

 

References
1.Chan CW, Peng P. Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. Pain Medicine. 2011 Apr;12(4):577-606.
2. Manchikanti, L, Boswell MV, et al. Comprehensive review of therapeutic interventions in managing chronic spinal pain. Pain Physician. 2009 Jul-Aug;12(4):E123-98.