If you have ongoing neck pain, back pain, or other types of chronic pain, help is available at Alaska Pain to Wellness Centre in Anchorage, Alaska. Pain management specialists Greg Wilkinson, PA-C, M.Ed, Steve Johnson, MD, and their skilled team offer HF10 ® spinal cord stimulators to reduce discomfort and give you long-lasting relief. Call the office to learn more or use the online scheduler today.
Spinal cord stimulators are implantable devices that your pain specialist places just beneath the skin near your buttocks or abdomen. It sends electrical signals to your spinal cord to reduce pain signals to your brain. The procedure is highly effective for pain relief and may reduce the need to take pain medicines or undergo invasive surgery.
The stimulators consist of electrodes, thin wires, and a pacemaker-like battery back. Using a remote control, you can send signals to your spinal cord anytime you need to for pain relief.
The Alaska Pain to Wellness Center offers cutting-edge, next-generation HF10 stimulation systems that provide effective, long-lasting results.
The Alaska Pain to Wellness Center team uses spinal cord stimulators for a variety of conditions, including:
If conservative treatments haven’t worked to reduce your discomfort, the Alaska Pain to Wellness Center team could recommend spinal cord stimulation. The HF10 spinal cord stimulator doesn’t cloud your thoughts or cause constipation as pain medicines can.
To find out if you’re a candidate for the procedure, your pain specialist asks about your medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle. They complete a physical exam and may recommend blood tests, nerve tests, or imaging procedures (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, ultrasounds, etc.).
The process of receiving a spinal cord stimulator involves multiple steps. You first undergo a trial period, in which you try a temporary stimulator device to see if it reduces your pain. Your surgeon places electrodes into your spine during the trial period (the generator remains outside your body) and asks you for feedback for about a week.
If you’re a candidate for spinal cord stimulation, your specialist places a permanent stimulator under your skin, along with electrodes, during a minimally invasive procedure. They first numb the treatment area to ensure you avoid discomfort. This procedure might last about 1-2 hours, but you can often go home the same day.
Have a family member or friend drive you home after spinal cord stimulator implantation and follow your surgeon’s instructions. Keep the treatment area clean and avoid pulling at your incisions. Keep the dressings in place until your provider gives you the OK to remove them. Your incisions often heal within 2-4 weeks. Avoid strenuous activity during this time.
You can use the remote control attached to your device any time you feel discomfort. See the Alaska Pain to Wellness Center for follow-up visits to ensure your spinal cord stimulator works as intended.
To learn more about spinal cord stimulators and find out if they’re right for you, call the Alaska Pain to Wellness Center office or use the online booking tab today.