Neurostimulation (spinal cord stimulation) uses a small system that is surgically placed under the skin in the hip to send mild electrical impulses to the spinal cord. The electrical impulses block or override plain impulses before reaching the brain. These impulses are felt as a pleasant tingling sensation, and can be directed to cover specific sites where you are feeling pain.

There are several components to the neurostimulator. The implatable neurostimulator is the device that generates the electrical impulses that are sent to the spincal cord to control pain through a lead(s). Each lead contains a set of electrodes which deliver the stimulation to the spinal cord. The hand-held patient programmer allows adjustments to be made by the patient according to your pain. You can direct your system to provide greater or lesser pain relief by increasing or decreasing the tingling.

A screening test "trial" is done to evaluate how well suerostimulation reduces you pain. The trial usually lasts 5-7 days and is done as an outpatient procedure. With this procedure, a temporary lead is places in the epidural space and is connected to an external trial screener box which allows adjustments to be made in stimulation.

Only your physician can determine if you are a condidate for neurostimulation.

You may also find more information from Tame the Pain.