Spinal Cord Stimulation Specialist
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Bluffs Pain Management
Pain Management located in Council Bluffs, IA
When medications and injection therapies aren’t able to keep your chronic back pain under control, you may be a candidate for spinal cord stimulation. At Bluffs Pain Management, Andrew Huff, MD, offers comprehensive care for back pain using advanced spinal cord stimulation technologies. A stimulator can help you find long-lasting pain relief and be an effective alternative to spine surgery. To find out if you qualify for spinal cord stimulation, call the pain management office in Council Bluffs, Iowa, or book a consultation online today.
Spinal Cord Stimulation Q & A
What is spinal cord stimulation?
Spinal cord stimulation is a treatment for chronic back pain that originates from degenerative spine conditions or injuries. Stimulation uses low currents of electricity to block pain signals from your spine and prevent them from traveling to your brain.
A small generator that Dr. Huff implants just under your skin creates the electricity the stimulator uses to block pain signals. You can control the generator with an external remote, so you stop your back pain as it happens.
This treatment is typically a last resort when other therapies aren’t addressing your pain, but you’re not ready for surgery.
Am I a candidate for spinal cord stimulation?
To determine if you’re a candidate for spinal cord stimulation, you can expect to have a comprehensive physical exam. You may also need X-rays or other diagnostic imaging tests that create pictures of structures in your spine.
While spinal cord stimulation isn’t right for everyone, Dr. Huff may recommend spinal cord stimulation to address severe, chronic pain from conditions like:
- Arthritis
- Sciatica
- Spinal stenosis
- Postsurgical pain
- Spinal cord injuries
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Complex regional pain syndrome
If you’re not a candidate for a stimulator, Dr. Huff can customize a treatment plan using other pain management techniques to ease your pain and improve your quality of life.
What is involved in spinal cord stimulation?
Before Dr. Huff permanently implants the generator, you can expect to go through a trial period to ensure the stimulator works properly.
Your stimulator trial involves an in-office procedure where Dr. Huff attaches the lead wires of the stimulator to nerves in your spine. During your trial period, you use the remote to interfere with pain signals as they occur in real-time. The staff at Bluffs Pain Management ensures you know how to use the remote to control your pain.
If the stimulator successfully prevents pain during your trial period, Dr. Huff can implant the generator and lead wires near the buttocks or abdomen during minimally invasive surgery. If, at any time, you wish to remove the stimulator, he can also perform the surgery to disconnect the generator and wires.
To find out if spinal cord stimulation is a treatment option for you, call Bluffs Pain Management to schedule a consultation, or book an appointment online today.
