Learn How Spinal Cord Stimulation Can Reduce Back Pain By 50%

The spinal cord stimulator (SCS) is a gadget designed to reduce back and chronic pain. It is surgically put under the skin of the person suffering from back pain.

It sends a gentle electric current to the spinal cord and eliminates pain. It does this by substituting pain with relatively pain-free sensations. SCS is one of the most modern and innovative techniques around.

It has benefited the healthcare industry in a number of ways and it has also provided the solution to probably the most troublesome pain related issues experienced.

Gone are the days when people with issues in their spinal cord were deemed untreatable and had to take medications continuously for temporary relief.  

If the central nervous system or the peripheral nervous system linked to the spinal cord is affected due to an illness, injury or trauma, neuropathic pain occurs. It can torment oneself.

It leads to increased sensation of pain, above and beyond what one normally experiences. The extreme pain in the back side of the body disables the person from moving, let alone doing any other physical activity.

SCS treats neuropathic pain. This includes including post-laminectomy syndrome, complex regional pain, and syndrome diabetic neuropathy. It is, in fact, the most effective and efficient treatment for these three problems.

One thing is certain for people all around the world. Pain is unacceptable and intolerable. The issue with back pain is that it leads to consistent pain. This is an even bigger problem. SCS provides a solution to it and helps people get on with their everyday life.

How does SCS help pain?

A little wire conveys the current from a pulse generator to the neurons in the spinal cord. When the SCS is switching on it stimulates the nerve fibers in the particular area where the pain is felt.

Before permanently installing an SCS device, there is a trial period.

During this period, the compatibility and effectiveness of the device with the patient are checked. The length of the trial period varies. Doctors have to make sure that it is the perfect fit for people suffering from back pain before they persist with it.

At the same time, patients check whether or not they are comfortable with it. In order to check it they go on with their daily life and engage in different activities.

If the trial is a success and patients along with doctors are satisfied, then a permanent SCS device is implanted. It must be known that SCS kills the pain and allows  the patients to be in charge.

It comes with a remote control, which can change the current intensity from zero to the maximum level. The patient can react according to the intensity of the pain by choosing the appropriate current level. This helps to nullify the pain.

The biggest advantage of SCS is that it helps provide relief to people by lowering the pain up to fifty percent and makes it more manageable for them. Since the framework of SCS is versatile, people with back pain can easily engage in activities like cycling, training, and swimming.

Are you looking to decrease back pain? Dr Tom Macek can help eliminate pain without invasive procedures. Learn More

Schedule a Free Consultation with Dr. Tom Macek HERE.

Learn How Acupuncture Can Help Relieve Chronic Pain

Chronic pain of the muscle and joints is a very serious ailment which not only affects the patient’s physical but also mental health. Treatments for this vary from standard ice and heat therapies to anti-inflammatory drugs.

In some cases physical therapy and specific exercises have also been known to alleviate pain but those who have exhausted all these options should also consider acupuncture.

There has been a long-standing debate over the effectiveness of acupuncture for patients of chronic pain. There is international research to prove that the therapy does bring relief to those experiencing common forms of pain which has brought experts to the conclusion that its benefits are evident and there are no serious side effects and complications associated with it. The study includes enough evidence to have made an impression on the authorities.

Acupuncturists and chiropractors have been fighting for more recognition in treating pain for years. They argue that since their services bring relief to many patients of chronic pain, acupuncture and chiropractic care should be acknowledged as a treatment for pain.

Recently, the Food and Drug Administration granted their wish by awarding a preliminary endorsement to these alternative forms of treatment.

The FDA announced changes in their plan to educate healthcare providers on how to treat pain. The guidelines given to doctors include information on acupuncture and chiropractic care as a possible therapy for patients suffering from chronic pain in an attempt to avoid prescribed opioids and the risk of addiction that comes along with them.

But how does acupuncture treat chronic pain? Dr. Tom Macek explains in this article on how this ancient Chinese practice helps manage pain.

How Acupuncture Works

Acupuncture involves the insertion of hair-thin needles into a person’s body at certain points. It is almost painless if performed by a trained professional. The insertion of needles is supposed to correct the imbalance in the body’s energy flow, called qi.

When translating this into scientific terms, acupuncture eases pain by balancing the hormone levels, neurotransmitters and targeting the immune system.

However, for those who have yet to diagnose the origin of their pain, acupuncture can wait.

Healthcare practitioners recommend visiting a doctor to pinpoint the root cause before starting any treatment so serious medical illnesses can be ruled out. When it is determined that chronic pain is the underlying issue, an acupuncturist can be sought out.

Acupuncture can be performed on a weekly basis until signs of improvement are seen. After that the length between each visit can be prolonged as deemed fit.

The cost for an acupuncture session varies from acupuncturist to acupuncturist and is usually not covered by private health insurers though some plans do cover physician-acupuncturists.

When visiting an acupuncturist do check for their certifications as only trained professionals can administer a treatment that truly benefits the patient.

The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine contains records of certified providers and can be consulted by the general public or you can ask your doctor for a recommendation.