when we fight pain, we make it personal. · of different sensations and allow you to switch back...
TRANSCRIPT
Discover Your Path to Pain Relief.
When We Fight Pain, We MakeIt Personal.
SCS PATIENTS (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP): Karen M., Mary M., Kira T., Neil D., Chris B., Gregory G.
Chronic pain can affect you in profoundly
personal ways. From abandoned hobbies
to strained relationships to career-ending
limitations, it can steal much of what makes
you you. On top of that, many common
pain treatments are “one-size-fits-all”
solutions — therapies that routinely fail
to provide deep and lasting relief.
At Boston Scientific, we offer something
different. In fact, it’s different for every
patient. We provide a proven, drug-free
pain management therapy called Spinal
Cord Stimulation that can be personalized
to treat your unique pain.
What Makes SCS Unique?
Spinal Cord Stimulation (or SCS) is a safe,
drug-free, FDA-approved pain management
treatment that’s been used by hundreds of
thousands of people worldwide.
Boston Scientific’s SCS systems have
been clinically proven to help reduce
chronic pain — in part because they’re
so personalized to your unique needs.
After all, no two people feel pain in the
same way. So it’s no surprise that the more
we customize SCS therapy, the more likely you
are to experience lasting pain relief.
Before SCS, Karen’s pain kept her bound to a recliner. See how she reclaimed her life –and
her passion for cooking– at ControlYourPain.com.
“To be able to live life again and
not be stopped by pain, I truly
feel is a miracle. And I don’t use
that word lightly.”
How Does SCS Work?
You feel pain when nerves send pain signals
through your spinal cord to your brain. SCS is
designed to interrupt these signals so you
don’t perceive them as pain.
View our “How SCS Works” video at ControlYourPain.com/SCS.
StimulatorA small device called a stimulator
is implanted under the skin.
LeadsThin, flexible “leads” are connected to
the stimulator and placed near specific
nerves along the spinal cord.
PulsesThe stimulator sends mild pulses
through the leads to the nerves.
PainThe pulses interrupt the pain signals
en route to the brain.
What Does SCS Feel Like?
Most SCS systems replace the feeling of
pain with a soothing, massage-like sensation
called “paresthesia.” Some SCS systems
treat pain without paresthesia, using a type
of stimulation you can’t feel. There’s no way
to know which type of stimulation will work
best for you without trying them — which is
why Boston Scientific gives you both
options in a single device.*
In fact, our SCS systems offer a wide range
of different sensations and allow you to switch
back and forth between them. You can even
target different areas of your body with different
sensations at the same time. This flexibility
gives you the best chance of finding the right
therapy for your pain.
*Paresthesia-free stimulation has been demonstrated to be safe and effective in patients who have been treated successfully with conventional, paresthesia-inducing stimulation for at least six months.
A bone-shattering fall brought an end to Gregory’s
home improvement hobby. See what he’s up to today at
ControlYourPain.com.
“I like that there are a lot of
adjustments I can make on my own.
I don’t use the paresthesia setting
much in the daytime, but I do at
night when I’m lying down.”
Will SCS Work for Me?
There’s an easy way to find out. Before
making a commitment, you can “test-drive”
Boston Scientific’s SCS therapy with a
temporary trial system. During this time,
a Boston Scientific representative will work
with you and your doctor to personalize
your therapy. By the end, you’ll know how
SCS works for you.
THE TRIAL PROCESSTHE TRIAL PROCESS
Your doctor places the leads with a simple
procedure similar to an epidural injection.1
The leads are connected to an external trial
stimulator that’s usually worn on your waist.2
For the next 3-7 days, you can go about your
life experiencing the benefits of SCS.3
Gardening is just one of the activities Mary got back with SCS. Hear her tell her story at ControlYourPain.com.
“After the second day of
my trial, we stopped and scheduled
the implant. My success was
that phenomenal.”
Why Choose Boston Scientific? Personalized Therapy.
*Paresthesia-free stimulation has been demonstrated to be safe and effective in patients who have been treated successfully with conventional, paresthesia-inducing stimulation for at least six months.
MULTIPLE THERAPIES. ONE DEVICE.The first SCS systems to be FDA-approved to deliver both
paresthesia and paresthesia-free therapy at the same time.
Paresthesia
Paresthesia-free
Both combined
SCS Therapy
If you have pain in more than one part of your body,
Boston Scientific’s SCS systems can deliver different
types of stimulation to different areas all at once.
RELIEF WHERE YOU NEED IT
While some other SCS systems rely on a single type
of stimulation, Boston Scientific lets you choose your
stimulation by providing multiple therapies in one device. In
fact, our SCS systems are the first to be FDA-approved to
deliver both paresthesia and paresthesia-free therapy
at the same time.* Clinical research shows that patients
who have this choice achieve better overall pain
relief.1 And with multiple therapy options, your treatment
can adapt to changes in your pain over time.
Why Choose Boston Scientific? Proven Results.
WORLDWIDE USETens of thousands of patients across
the globe rely on Boston Scientific’s SCS
systems for long-term pain relief.
In a major clinical study, back pain patients reported a
nearly 6-point drop in pain score, even after two years.3
SUCCESSFUL TRIALSMore than 90% of Boston Scientific
SCS patients reported a successful trial
experience and chose to have the
permanent implant.2
PATIENT SATISFACTIONIn a clinical study, more than 96% of
Boston Scientific SCS patients said they
were satisfied with their therapy and
that they would recommend it to others
with chronic pain.2
96%
2.96
8.6
PAIN
SCO
RE
(0-1
0)
PRE-SCS AFTER 2 YEARS
DRAMATIC LONG-TERM RELIEF
The Trial Worked. Now What?
After a successful trial, the next step is to
have a full (or “permanent”) implant. This is
when the stimulator is implanted under the
skin — usually near your buttocks or low back.
The procedure is completely reversible
and much less invasive than traditional
back surgeries. Generally, patients go home
a few hours after surgery and report only minor
discomfort that goes away in a couple of days.
Of course, as with any surgical procedure,
there are risks with Spinal Cord Stimulation.
Talk to your doctor to make sure you fully
understand both the risks and the benefits.
Thanks to SCS, Chris is more active than ever. See how he conquered his severe pain at ControlYourPain.com.
“People sometimes are looking
for a magic pill, and I don’t know
that there is such a thing. But SCS
is the closest thing I have found
to a magic switch.”
How Do I Control My Relief?
After the implant, you’ll be able to control
your device using a small, wireless remote.
It’s easy to operate; your doctor and your
Boston Scientific rep will show you how.
Your doctor will also help you choose between
our rechargeable and non-rechargeable stimulators.
In general, rechargeable stimulators last longer
and so provide more therapy options. Charging
the device is a simple process and can be done
while reading, watching TV, or even walking
around the block.
Neil’s pain robbed him of his active life. See how SCS helped him get it back at ControlYourPain.com.
“The pain in my left foot
is much worse than my right.
The beauty of my Boston Scientific
stimulator is that I can have more
stimulation in my left foot.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Kira Trexler, RN & Clinical Specialist Hear Kira’s professional (and personal) responses to common SCS questions. Watch her video at ControlYourPain.com/SCS.
Is SCS a cure?
SCS is not a cure, but rather a long-term pain management solution
that can allow you to cut back on medication and resume some of
the activities you used to enjoy.
Is SCS covered by insurance?
Yes, SCS is covered by Medicare and most commercial insurance
and workers’ compensation plans. Your doctor can help you collect
the necessary documentation.
Are there travel or other restrictions?
Our SCS systems won’t prevent you from going through airport security or
getting X-rays, CT scans, PET scans, or ultrasounds.
Can I get an MRI with a stimulator?
Yes, Boston Scientific offers stimulators that allow for full-body MRIs.
Talk to your doctor about which device is right for you.
Is the implant procedure reversible?
Yes. Both the trial system and the implant are reversible.
Where can I learn more?
Visit ControlYourPain.com for informational videos and stories
or to locate a Pain Management Specialist near you.
If you already have a specialist, make an appointment to discuss
Spinal Cord Stimulation.
You can also talk to a volunteer Patient Ambassador about their personal
experience with SCS. Call 1-800-819-4727 to schedule a conversation
with one of these patients. Or speak to a Boston Scientific Care
Specialist at 1-833-724-7311.
Helpful Terms
External Trial Stimulator (ETS): A temporary SCS stimulator worn
outside of the body during the trial.
Implant: The full (or “permanent”) SCS procedure, during which the
stimulator is placed under the skin.
Leads: The part of the SCS system that connects to the stimulator
and carries pulses to spinal cord nerves.
Multiple Therapies: The ability to deliver multiple types of
stimulation– including paresthesia and paresthesia-free.*
Pain Management Physician: A doctor who specializes in
treating chronic pain.
Pain Score: The amount of pain you feel on a scale of 0 to 10.
Paresthesia: A soothing sensation created by many SCS systems to
mask pain.
Paresthesia-free: A type of stimulation that produces no sensation,
also known as “sub-perception.”
SCS System: All of the SCS treatment components, including the
stimulator, leads, remote control, and any charging accessories.
Stimulator: The part of the SCS system that generates electrical
pulses, also known as an Implantable Pulse Generator, or IPG.
Trial System: A temporary SCS system that allows patients to try
out the therapy.
* Paresthesia-free stimulation has been demonstrated to be safe and effective in
patients who have been treated successfully with conventional, paresthesia-inducing
stimulation for at least six months.
ControlYourPain.com
References:1 North, James, MD. WHISPER: A Multicenter, Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating Subperception SCS at ≤ 1.2 kHz. Presentation at North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS), Las Vegas, NV, January 11-14, 2018.
2 Thomson, S. J., Kruglov, D. and Duarte, R. V. (2017), A Spinal Cord Stimulation Service Review From a Single Centre Using a Single Manufacturer Over a 7.5 Year Follow-Up Period. Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface, 20: 589-599. doi:10.1111/ner.12587.
3 Elias Veizi, MD, PhD, et al. “Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) with Anatomically Guided (3D) Neural Targeting Shows Superior Chronic Axial Low Back Pain Relief Compared to Traditional SCS --LUMINA Study.” Pain Medicine 2017; 0: 1-15.
Indications for Use: The Boston Scientific Spinal Cord Stimulator Systems are indicated as an aid in the management of chronic intractable pain of the trunk and/or limbs including unilateral or bilateral pain associated with the following: failed back surgery syndrome, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Types I and II, intractable low back pain and leg pain. Associated conditions and etiologies may be: radicular pain syndrome, radiculopathies resulting in pain secondary to failed back syndrome or herniated disc, epidural fibrosis, degenerative disc disease (herniated disc pain refractory to conservative and surgical interventions), arachnoiditis, multiple back surgeries.
Contraindications: The Spinal Cord Stimulator systems are not for patients who are unable to operate the system, have failed trial stimulation by failing to receive effective pain relief, are poor surgical risks, or are pregnant.
Patients implanted with the Precision Montage™ MRI, Precision Spectra™, or Spectra WaveWriter™ Spinal Cord Stimulator System with ImageReady™ MRI Technology are “MR Conditional” only when exposed to the MRI environment under the specific conditions defined in the ImageReady MRI Full Body Guidelines for Precision Montage MRI Spinal Cord Stimulator System and ImageReady MRI Guidelines for Precision Spectra or Spectra WaveWriter Spinal Cord Stimulator System Manuals (Head Only MRI scans). The Precision Montage MRI SCS System provides safe access to Full-Body MRI Scans only when used with the Avista MRI Leads and exposed to the MRI environment under the specific conditions defined in the ImageReady MRI Full Body Guidelines for Precision Montage MRI Spinal Cord Stimulator System.
Warnings: Patients implanted with Boston Scientific Spinal Cord Stimulator Systems without ImageReady MRI Technology should not be exposed to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Exposure to MRI may result in dislodgement of the stimulator or leads, heating of the stimulator, severe damage to the stimulator electronics and an uncomfortable or jolting sensation. As a Spinal Cord Stimulation patient, you should not have diathermy as either a treatment for a medical condition or as part of a surgical procedure. Strong electromagnetic fields, such as power generators or theft detection systems, can potentially turn the stimulator off, or cause uncomfortable jolting stimulation. The system should not be charged while sleeping. The Spinal Cord Stimulator system may interfere with the operation of implanted sensing stimulators such as pacemakers or implanted cardiac defibrillators. Advise your physician that you have a Spinal Cord Stimulator before going through with other implantable device therapies so that medical decisions can be made and appropriate safety measures taken. Patients should not operate motorized vehicles or potentially dangerous machinery with therapeutic stimulation switched “on.” Your doctor may be able to provide additional information on the Boston Scientific Spinal Cord Stimulator systems. For complete indications for use, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and side effects, call 866.360.4747 or visit ControlYourPain.com.
Caution: U.S. Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.
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Learn more about SCS at ControlYourPain.com, and make an appointment to talk to your doctor. The only thing you have to lose is your pain.
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