Spinal Cord Stimulation Trials

What Is Spinal Cord Stimulation?

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an advanced pain management therapy that uses small electrical impulses to help modify pain signaling before it reaches the brain.

During treatment, thin leads are placed near the spinal cord to deliver gentle electrical stimulation designed to reduce the perception of chronic pain. Many patients experience significant improvement in pain levels, mobility, sleep, and overall quality of life.

Spinal cord stimulation is most commonly used for chronic nerve-related pain conditions that have not responded adequately to medications, physical therapy, injections, or prior surgeries.

Conditions Commonly Treated with Spinal Cord Stimulation

SCS may help patients experiencing:

• Chronic back and leg pain
• Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS)
• Post-laminectomy syndrome
• Chronic radiculopathy and sciatica
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Chronic nerve pain
• Post-surgical pain syndromes
• Chronic pain following spine surgery

Spinal Cord Stimulator Evaluation & Trial Process

At Alpenglow Pain & Wellness, we perform comprehensive spinal cord stimulator evaluations to determine whether SCS may be appropriate for your condition and treatment goals.

The process typically includes:

• Comprehensive medical evaluation
• Review of imaging and prior treatments
• Assessment of pain patterns and functional limitations
• Discussion of treatment expectations and goals
• Coordination of psychological screening when indicated

If you are a candidate for spinal cord stimulation, we perform a temporary SCS trial procedure designed to help determine whether treatment provides meaningful pain relief before moving forward with permanent implantation.

What Is an SCS Trial?

During the trial procedure, temporary leads are placed near the spinal cord using minimally invasive image-guided techniques. The system is then programmed to deliver therapy over several days while you continue normal daily activities.

The trial allows patients to evaluate:

• Pain relief
• Functional improvement
• Sleep quality
• Activity tolerance
• Overall improvement in quality of life

If the trial is successful, we coordinate referral for permanent spinal cord stimulator implantation.

Nevro® HF10™ Therapy

At Alpenglow Pain & Wellness, we specifically work with Nevro® spinal cord stimulation technology, including the Senza® system featuring HF10™ therapy. HF10™ therapy is an advanced spinal cord stimulation treatment for chronic back and leg pain designed to provide long-lasting relief without the tingling or buzzing sensations commonly associated with traditional spinal cord stimulators.

Nevro’s high-frequency HF10™ therapy works by calming the nerves that carry pain signals to the brain and has been clinically demonstrated to provide significant relief for chronic back and leg pain.

Benefits of Nevro® HF10™ therapy may include:

• Paresthesia-free pain relief
• Improved comfort during treatment
• Long-term chronic pain management
• Better sleep and functional improvement
• Reduced reliance on pain medications
• Continued therapy even while sleeping or driving

Patient Experiences with HF10™ Therapy

Many patients using HF10™ therapy report meaningful improvements in pain levels, mobility, and overall quality of life after struggling with chronic pain for years. Patients have described returning to activities such as walking, traveling, exercising, woodworking, gardening, and spending more time with family after treatment.

Clinical studies evaluating HF10™ therapy demonstrated superior relief of chronic back and leg pain compared to traditional low-frequency spinal cord stimulation systems.

What to Expect During the Trial Procedure

The spinal cord stimulator trial is typically performed using fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance in a minimally invasive outpatient setting.

During the procedure:

• The treatment area is cleaned and prepared
• Local anesthetic is used to improve comfort
• Temporary leads are carefully positioned near the spinal cord
• The device is programmed and adjusted based on your symptoms

Most patients return home the same day and continue trial therapy for several days before follow-up evaluation.

Comprehensive Chronic Pain Care

Spinal cord stimulation is often combined with other therapies as part of a comprehensive chronic pain treatment plan.

Additional treatment options may include:

Interventional Pain Management

• Epidural steroid injections
• Nerve blocks
• Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
• Trigger point injections
• Peripheral nerve stimulation
• Ketamine infusion therapy

Supportive & Integrative Therapies

• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Pain psychology and stress management
• Acupuncture and integrative therapies
• Red light therapy
• Lifestyle and wellness support

Our goal is to help reduce chronic pain, improve function, and restore quality of life using evidence-based, minimally invasive treatment options whenever possible.

If chronic nerve pain or post-surgical spine pain is affecting your quality of life, contact Alpenglow Pain & Wellness today to schedule a consultation and learn more about spinal cord stimulator evaluation and trial options.