Spinal Cord Stimulation Helps Relieve Pain

Spinal Cord Stimulation Helps Relieve Pain
by KFYR TV Juli McDonald

Dealing with an injury or some form of pain even temporarily can be unbearable. But imagine living with pain everyday all day. I met a patient whose life has been changed by the process. She went home with 80 percent relief from an injury that pained her constantly for years. Two years ago, Dixie Schilling`s life changed, after she slipped on ice and fell. Ever since, she`s lived in pain every single day, despite back surgery, knee repair and pain meds.

(Dixie Schilling, Patient): "I was very depressed at points. The pain level was getting to me. I wasn`t able to do a lot at home anymore. I basically did a lot of sleeping."

(Reporter): Dr. Shelley Killen sent Schilling to Dr. Gary Johnson at the St. Alexius Pain Clinic, to see if she was a candidate for spinal cord stimulation.

(Dr. Gary Johnson, St. Alexius Pain Specialist): "This is not first line treatment. These are usually people who have tried everything else," said Johnson. "They`ve tried medication, they`ve had physical therapy but they haven`t had successful pain control."

(Reporter): During the procedure, a small electrode is inserted next to the patient`s spinal cord, and then provides an electric current that actually modifies the pain sensation. Doctors tailor the electrode`s location to exactly where the patient`s pain is, and then the patient goes home with a new tool to control the pain.

(Dr. Johnson): "The really nice thing about it is the patient can regulate it themselves. They can turn it on, they can turn it off. If they have trouble sleeping at night because of pain they can use it at nighttime."

(Reporter): Schilling underwent the process two weeks ago and is back to sleeping through the night, waking up with energy and finally participating in life again.

(Dixie): "It`s just been remarkable. I`m so blessed that I finally found my outlet for my pain."

(Reporter): Spinal cord stimulation isn't for everyone. Each potential patient goes through a trial process and a series of testing to make sure the procedure could effectively give them some relief.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• pain
• health
• therapy
• doctor
• educational
• talk