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North American Neuromodulation Society
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  • Home
  • About
    • Leadership
    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
    • International Neuromodulation Society
    • Institute of Neuromodulation >
      • ION Leadership
      • ION Projects
      • ION Publications
    • History >
      • Past Presidents
      • Past Award Recipients
    • Staff
  • Advocacy
    • News
    • Sign Up for Email
  • Annual Meeting
    • 2026 Call For Abstracts
    • 2026 Call for Proposals
    • For Exhibitors
  • Education & Events
    • Neural Interfaces 2025 >
      • Registration, Housing & Travel
      • Program
      • For Exhibitors
      • Onsite Information
    • NANS eLearning
    • Calendar of Events
  • Membership
    • Member Login
    • Join
    • Renew
    • Benefits
    • Volunteers
    • Neuromodulation Journal
    • Member Spotlight
    • Get Involved >
      • Advanced Practice Providers
      • Diversity and Outreach
      • Resident, Fellows, Students/Young Neuromodulators
      • Women in Neuromodulation
  • Career Center
  • For Patients
    • Deep Brain Stimulation
    • Drug Delivery
    • Neuroprosthetics
    • Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
    • Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal Cord Stimulation

Non-Addictive Treatment
The Trial Period
Implantation
Recovery
Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) was developed for the treatment of neuropathic (nerve) pain. This pain is typically associated with injury to nerves or metabolic problems such as diabetes and is described by patients as burning, shooting, or tingling. Nerve pain typically does not respond well to narcotic pain medications. When it was first used in patients, SCS was more or less restricted to the treatment of pain of the arms or legs. Recent advances in technology have made it more useful for the management of neuropathic pain in other areas of the body, such as in the back, neck, or pelvis. Neurostimulation covers up or masks the pain by interfering with the pain sensation going up to the brain without interrupting with other sensations. SCS delivers low level electrical stimulation to the spinal cord. Pain is masked by changing the sensation from painful to a gentler, more soothing tingling sensation. Most studies indicate that, in carefully selected patients, SCS can produce at least 50% pain relief in at least 50%.

As with any surgery, there are risks associated with implanting these devices. Complications from SCS may include painful stimulation, loss of pain relief and certain surgical risks (e.g., infection). Be sure to discuss the risks and benefits of neurostimulation with your doctor.
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For additional Information, please see the following articles:

Spinal Cord Stimulation for Patients

Spinal Cord Stimulation for Practitioners

Changing how your brain senses pain
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