Does Spinal Cord Stimulation Help With Neuropathy?
Does Spinal Cord Stimulation Help With Neuropathy?
Key takeaways
Left unchecked, these symptoms can affect balance, mobility, and overall quality of life. But here’s the good news: the right exercises for peripheral neuropathy can help clear the path.
- Does spinal cord stimulation (SCS) help with neuropathy? For many with treatment-resistant pain, SCS offers significant relief by disrupting faulty nerve signals before they reach the brain.
- SCS doesn’t heal damaged nerves but can meaningfully reduce pain, improve mobility, and lessen the need for daily medications.
- The trial period offers a chance to experience results firsthand, with most good candidates seeing at least 50% relief before moving to permanent implantation.
- Common types of neuropathy that may respond to SCS include diabetic, chemotherapy-induced, post-surgical, and idiopathic neuropathy.
- While risks exist, SCS is generally safe and well-tolerated. For those who qualify, it can be life-changing.
Living with chronic pain caused by peripheral neuropathy can feel overwhelming, especially when conventional medical management and pharmacological treatment offer limited relief.
Tingling, burning, numbness, and pain can disrupt everyday life—and finding an effective treatment isn’t always easy. If you’ve heard about spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and wonder if it could be the solution you’ve been looking for, this guide is here to help you understand your options.
Let’s dive into what spinal cord stimulation is, how it works, and whether it can help relieve neuropathy symptoms.
What is spinal cord stimulation?
SCS is an advanced pain management therapy designed to modify how the brain perceives pain. It uses electrical stimulation to alter how pain signals are processed in the dorsal columns of the spine. This type of neuromodulation, often referred to as epidural spinal cord stimulation, is widely used for chronic neuropathic pain.
Spinal cord stimulation therapy involves implanting a small device under the skin that sends mild electrical impulses to specific areas of the spinal cord. These impulses interfere with pain signals before they reach the brain, helping reduce or block the sensation of pain altogether.
Think of it as “reprogramming” how your body interprets pain—without heavy reliance on medications.
Does it work for neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy pain originates from damaged or malfunctioning peripheral nerves. Instead of accurately transmitting information, these damaged nerves send constant or exaggerated pain signals to the brain—even when there’s no injury.
Spinal cord stimulation works by delivering gentle electrical pulses to interrupt these faulty signals. As a result, many patients report less pain, improved function, and a better quality of life.
SCS doesn’t heal the nerves directly, but it can provide meaningful relief by changing how your nervous system processes pain. Conditions like painful diabetic neuropathy, chronic reflex sympathetic dystrophy, and complex regional pain syndrome often respond well to SCS therapy. Unlike treatments that only address symptoms, SCS targets the nerve level to help manage pain intensity more directly.
What types of neuropathy could SCS help?
Spinal cord stimulation may be recommended for various types of neuropathy and chronic pain conditions, particularly when symptoms are persistent and resistant to conventional treatment.
Common examples include:
- Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN): One of the most common forms, caused by long-term high blood sugar levels damaging the nerves.
- Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN): A painful side effect of certain cancer treatments.
- Post-surgical neuropathy: Ongoing nerve pain following procedures such as joint replacements or spinal surgery.
- Idiopathic neuropathy: Neuropathy with no clear cause, often unresponsive to pharmacological treatment or physical therapy.
- Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS): Chronic back or leg pain that persists or worsens after spinal surgery, typically involving nerve root irritation or scarring.
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS): A neurological condition usually affecting a limb after injury or surgery, with symptoms like burning pain, swelling, and sensitivity.
- Chronic reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD): An older term for CRPS, involving similar nerve-related pain and inflammation.
- Surgery syndrome: A general term for chronic pain that develops after surgical procedures, not limited to the spine.
- Lumbar spinal stenosis: A narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back that can compress nerves, often causing chronic leg pain or numbness.
While not every case is suited for spinal cord stimulation, many patients with chronic neuropathic pain, peripheral nerve involvement, or conditions unresponsive to conventional medical management may benefit—particularly when the goal is better pain relief and improved function without causing further nerve damage.
Find out if you are a candidate
Understanding the trial and evaluation process for spinal cord stimulation
A key step before permanent spinal cord stimulator implantation is a controlled trial period. This trial is a standard part of the evaluation process and helps determine if spinal cord stimulation is likely to provide meaningful relief and improved clinical outcomes for your neuropathy symptoms.
Your care team of specialist physicians and healthcare professionals will guide you through the process.
What happens during the trial?
The trial typically lasts about a week and involves placing temporary electrodes near your spinal cord through a minimally invasive procedure. These electrodes—or leads—are positioned in the same location where the permanent system would later be implanted, giving you an accurate preview of how stimulation may feel long term.
The leads are connected to an external pulse generator that you’ll wear on a belt or keep nearby. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia, and most people can go home the same day.
What should you expect?
Sensation: You may feel a gentle tingling or mild pulsing in the areas where you usually experience pain. This sensation can often be adjusted for comfort.
Daily activities: In most cases, you’ll be encouraged to go about your normal activities, so you can see how well the stimulation works in real-life situations.
Pain diary: Your care team may ask you to keep a pain diary, tracking your pain levels, activities, and any changes in your day-to-day symptoms.
How is success measured?
Success is typically defined by a meaningful reduction in pain—often at least 50% relief—or a noticeable improvement in your ability to perform daily activities. You’ll also discuss your overall experience with your doctor, including sleep quality, medication use, and emotional well-being.
Why is the trial important?
This evaluation period ensures that only patients who truly benefit from spinal cord stimulation move on to permanent implantation. It’s a low-risk, informative step that helps tailor your treatment plan to your unique needs.
What if the trial doesn’t work?
If you don’t experience significant pain relief during the trial, the temporary electrodes are simply removed. This does not preclude you from exploring other pain management options, and your doctor can help you review alternative therapies.
Common questions about the trial
Is the trial painful? The procedure is minimally invasive, and most patients report only mild discomfort.
Can I work during the trial? Many people continue their usual routines, but your care team will provide specific guidance based on your situation.
Will I feel the stimulation? Most people feel a gentle tingling, but the sensation can be adjusted or, with newer devices, may not be felt at all.
Tips for a successful trial
A spinal cord stimulator trial is your opportunity to see whether SCS therapy can provide meaningful relief—especially if you’re dealing with peripheral neuropathic pain or chronic leg pain that hasn’t responded to other options.
To make the most of it:
Be honest and detailed in your pain diary: Track your daily pain levels, where you feel pain, and how it changes throughout the day. Noting your activities and sleep quality can also help your care team better evaluate SCS efficacy and the potential for long-term relief.
Communicate openly with your care team: Let them know if you feel discomfort, notice changes in sensation, or have questions. Your feedback helps tailor the settings—especially important with advanced systems using high-frequency stimulation.
Try to maintain your typical daily activities: This gives the most accurate picture of how well the device works in real life. Whether you’re walking, cooking, or simply moving around the house, seeing how stimulation affects your pain during routine tasks is key to determining clinical significance.
If you’re concerned about next steps or have questions about options—like the typical spinal cord stimulator price—your healthcare provider can walk you through them during or after the trial.
What are the potential benefits of SCS for neuropathy?
Many patients treated with a spinal cord stimulator for neuropathy report substantial improvements in comfort, activity levels, and overall well-being. Growing clinical evidence shows SCS can offer lasting leg pain relief, especially when other treatments have failed.
While results vary, common benefits include:
- Reduced daily pain levels: Many patients experience a significant drop in pain intensity, especially in the legs, feet, or hands—areas most affected by peripheral neuropathic pain.
- Decreased reliance on pain medications: With better pain control, patients can often lower or eliminate the need for long-term pharmacological treatment, which may reduce side effects and dependency concerns.
- Improved sleep quality: Chronic pain often interferes with restful sleep. As discomfort decreases, many patients notice deeper, more consistent rest.
- Better physical mobility and stamina: With pain under control, everyday activities—like walking, standing, or exercising—can become easier and less tiring.
- Enhanced emotional well-being and outlook: Regaining control over pain can improve mood, reduce stress, and increase confidence—factors that contribute to a healthier, more positive quality of life.
Are there risks or side effects?
As with any procedure, spinal cord stimulation carries some risks. Though serious complications are relatively rare, potential complications may include:
- Infection at the implant site
- Device malfunction
- Unwanted changes in stimulation patterns
- Discomfort during the trial or adjustment phase
- Lead migration, which may affect how the stimulation feels or functions
- Increased pain, particularly during the early adjustment period
Your medical team will walk you through each of these risks and monitor you closely throughout the process to ensure the best possible outcome. Open communication during and after the trial can also help address any issues early and improve long-term SCS efficacy.
Is spinal cord stimulation right for you?
You may be a candidate for SCS if:
- You’ve been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy.
- Conventional treatments haven’t provided sufficient relief.
- Your pain significantly impacts your quality of life.
- You are seeking an alternative to long-term medication use.
