Spinal Cord Stimulation Specialist
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Pain Medicine Inc
Pain Medicine & Pain Management located in Downtown Lakeland, Lakeland, FL
Though your treatment for chronic pain always begins with conservative options such as medication and physical therapy, these treatments sometimes fail, leaving you with ongoing and often severe pain. That’s when it’s time to consider spinal cord stimulation. At Pain Medicine Inc in Lakeland, Florida, triple board-certified pain management specialist Saqib Khan, MD, helps many patients find long-term relief from their pain with spinal cord stimulation. To learn if you’re a good candidate, call the office or book an appointment online.
Spinal Cord Stimulation Q & A
What is spinal cord stimulation?
Spinal cord stimulation is a pain-relieving treatment that uses mild electrical impulses to block or mask pain signals that travel through your nerves to your brain. When your brain doesn’t get the message, it doesn’t perceive pain. As a result, you experience significant pain relief.
What pain conditions improve with spinal cord stimulation?
Dr. Khan may recommend spinal cord stimulation to relieve pain in your back, neck, arms, legs, and body caused by numerous conditions, including:
- Herniated disc
- Spinal stenosis
- Multiple sclerosis
- Spinal cord injuries
- Failed back surgery
- Lumbar radiculopathy
- Degenerative disc disease
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Complex regional pain syndrome
You may also be a good candidate for spinal cord stimulation if you have cancer pain that doesn’t improve with medication.
How does a spinal cord stimulator work?
Spinal cord stimulators have three parts. A small generator produces the electrical pulse, and lead wires carry the pulse to your spinal nerves. The third part is a controller used to program the generator.
Dr. Khan implants the generator under your skin, often in your abdomen or buttocks. He makes a small incision to access your spine and gently threads the lead wires through the epidural space until they’re near the nerves transmitting pain signals.
Dr. Khan programs the pulse strength and frequency, and then you keep the controller so you can turn the generator on and off.
Do I qualify for spinal cord stimulation?
To determine if spinal cord stimulation is right for you, Dr. Khan conducts a thorough physical exam, asks about your symptoms and lifestyle, and reviews your medical history.
Usually, Dr. Khan recommends less invasive treatments like physical therapy, rest, or epidural injections first. However, if your pain persists or doesn’t respond to these treatments, you likely benefit.
Is spinal cord stimulation safe?
Yes. Spinal cord stimulation is safe and usually well-tolerated. Hundreds of thousands of people all over the world regularly benefit from this type of treatment, and all spinal cord stimulation devices undergo thorough testing and review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
During your initial consultation, Dr. Khan can discuss potential risks and benefits. After this discussion, he develops a custom care plan that aligns with your individual needs.
If you have chronic pain that doesn’t improve with conventional medical care, call Pain Medicine Inc or book an appointment online.
