Spinal cord stimulation is a safe and effective therapy that has been in use for over 30 years and has helped thousands of people find pain relief. The procedure is reversible---which means even though it is surgically implanted, the device can always be removed by your doctor.

Video Clip: What Is SCS?

"Spinal cord stimulation was designed many years ago [in] 1967....The overall risks of doing the procedure are low. The longest stimulation system that I had in place continually was for 22 years. And it maintained its pain relief and was very safe for that entire period of time." -John Oakley, MD Diplomate American Board of Neurological Surgery Diplomate American Board of Pain Medicine

When Is SCS Therapy Used in Pain Management?
Pain is treated in many ways depending on the cause and severity of pain. When pain is acute and lasts a long time, many pain-relieving methods are usually tried, such as physical therapy, strong medications, or surgery.

Learning about the variety of available pain treatments is the first step in pain relief. Finding and talking to people who understand and are experiencing your type of pain is the next step.

Because chronic pain is complex and difficult to diagnose, a Pain Specialist will have the knowledge to help you find the right treatment for pain relief.

Pain Specialists use the Precision Plus SCS System for pain relief, often allowing you to reduce or eliminate other pain treatments, like strong drugs.

What Are Realistic Expectations for Pain Control?
People who use the Precision System can expect to feel less pain. This often helps them be more active, and some people are able to go to back to their normal activities and jobs.

If you have been experiencing severe pain for a long time, it will take you a while to get back to being active. This is because you have to build back your strength and muscles that haven’t been used in a long time.

Many people just want to do simple things they can’t do because of pain, such as sitting through a movie or family meal. Pain may control every aspect of life, from relationships and finances to emotions and health. Having some control over pain provides many people with control over their lives.

Many people using the Precision System find that they can enjoy sitting, walking, working, and laughing with family, friends, and coworkers. And they can plan and hope for the future.

“I have the Precision SCS for severe left leg pain, and it’s been phenomenal. Since the implant, I’ve been able to decrease my medications. My life is so much brighter; it is so much better!” —Sandra Bigwood