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Chronic pain can significantly affect your ability to work, sleep, and enjoy everyday activities. A Spinal Cord Stimulator may offer an effective alternative for patients who have tried various treatments unsuccessfully. However, one of the most common questions at Alta Pain Physicians is: How quickly can I expect relief from it?
Let’s explore how this device works, the type of relief it offers, how fast you can expect results, and why this procedure is increasingly recommended for people dealing with nerve-related and persistent pain, especially in Sandy, and Bountiful, UT.
What Is a Spinal Cord Stimulator and How Does It Work?
A tiny implanted spinal cord stimulator (SCS) stimulates the spinal cord with modest electrical pulses. These pulses help lessen the sense of pain by interfering with the signals sent to your brain.
Components of an SCS system:
- A small pulse generator implanted under the skin (typically in the lower back or abdomen)
- Thin wires (called leads) are placed near the spinal cord.
- A remote control to adjust settings as needed
This approach particularly benefits nerve-related conditions like neuropathy, CRPS, or Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. If you’ve found little to no relief with medication or other therapies, a spinal cord stimulator for chronic pain might be worth considering.
When Can You Expect to Feel Pain Relief After Surgery?
Most patients feel relief shortly after the spinal cord stimulator implant is activated, often within the first few days.
Here’s a general timeline:
- Immediately after surgery, you’ll experience discomfort from the procedure, which usually resolves in a few days.
- Trial phase: Before the permanent implant, you’ll have a trial version of the device for about 5–7 days. You’re considered a good candidate for complete implantation if you experience at least 50% pain relief.
- Permanent implantation: After successful trial results, the permanent spinal cord stimulator surgery is scheduled. Relief often resumes once the device is reactivated and calibrated to your needs.
In short, while the surgery requires a short healing period, the actual pain relief from the stimulation can begin within days, making it one of the fastest-acting solutions for chronic nerve pain.
Who Can Benefit Most From a Spinal Cord Stimulator?
At Alta Pain Physicians, we see strong success rates for patients using a spinal cord stimulator for chronic pain, particularly those diagnosed with the following:
1. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
This nerve condition often follows surgery or injury and can be triggered by weather, temperature, or stress changes. Symptoms include burning pain, changes in skin color, and swelling. A spinal cord stimulator helps regulate overactive nerve signals and significantly relieves pain.
2. Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS)
Despite one or more surgeries, some people continue to experience severe back or leg pain. A spinal cord stimulator implant can address persistent nerve-related pain without requiring another invasive operation.
3. Diabetic and Peripheral Neuropathy
Diabetic nerve damage can lead to sharp, shooting pain, tingling, or numbness. An SCS helps manage this discomfort effectively and can reduce the need for daily medications.
4. Post-Surgical Nerve Pain
Even if a surgery is successful, nerve pain can linger. SCS therapy can help manage long-term pain from previous procedures.
How Weather Sensitivity Affects Chronic Pain—and How SCS Helps
Many patients report worsening pain with temperature, humidity, or barometric pressure changes. This is especially true for those with CRPS, arthritis, or neuropathy.
Why does the weather affect pain? Barometric pressure drops can increase joint swelling and nerve sensitivity.
- Cold weather causes muscles to stiffen, increasing discomfort.
- Humidity intensifies inflammation in soft tissue and joints.
With an SCS, patients can adjust the intensity of their device in real time using a remote. This quick response is constructive for weather-sensitive pain flare-ups, which medications often can’t address immediately.
Benefits of Spinal Cord Stimulation Beyond Pain Relief
Aside from fast relief, here are some added benefits of getting a Spinal Cord Stimulator in Sandy, and Bountiful, UT, at Alta Pain Physicians
1. Minimally Invasive Procedure
The outpatient spinal cord stimulator procedure involves small incisions and a short recovery time. Most patients resume regular activity in just a few days.
2. Reduced Dependence on Medications
Long-term use of pain medication comes with risks such as dependency, tolerance, and side effects. SCS provides a drug-free method of managing pain.
3. Personalized Programming
Every patient experiences pain differently. That’s why our team fine-tunes your device settings based on your feedback to ensure the most effective relief possible.
4. Trial Before Commitment
With the trial period, there’s minimal risk. Before opting for complete implantation, you can evaluate how well it works.
What to Expect During the Trial Period
The trial phase typically lasts about a week and mimics the full functionality of a permanent device.
Benefits of the trial:
- No long-term commitment
- Immediate feedback on effectiveness
- Ability to test relief during different times of day or activities
- Adjustments made in real-time by our specialists
At Alta Pain Physicians, we aim to ensure you feel confident before proceeding with the procedure. Based on your trial experience, we’ll guide you through the setup, usage, and next steps.
Why Choose Alta Pain Physicians for Your SCS Therapy
If you’re considering a Spinal Cord Stimulator in Bountiful and Sandy, UT, Alta Pain Physicians offers expert care in a patient-centered environment. Our team brings together specialists with extensive experience in pain management and interventional treatments.
We’re here to support patients through:
- Careful evaluations and diagnostics
- Step-by-step education and support
- Complete programming and follow-up of your SCS device
- Coordination of insurance and appointment scheduling
Whether you’re dealing with weather-related pain flares or persistent discomfort from nerve damage, we can help determine if SCS therapy is right for you.
Take the First Step Toward Pain Relief
A Spinal Cord Stimulator offers a fast, effective way to manage chronic nerve-related pain, often providing noticeable relief within a few days. With benefits like real-time adjustability, a minimally invasive procedure, and a no-risk trial phase, this approach is helping more people regain control over their daily lives.
If you’re ready to explore a lasting solution for chronic pain, book your Spinal Cord Stimulator Consultation with Alta Pain Physicians in Sandy, and Bountiful, UT, today.
We’re here to help you move forward with confidence. Contact us For Spinal Cord Stimulator Consultation!
