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Spinal Cord Stimulation

Villanueva Institute of Pain and Spine

Spinal Cord Stimulation in Burbank, CA

Spinal cord stimulation, often called SCS, is an advanced treatment for certain types of chronic nerve pain. It is usually considered when pain has continued despite medication, physical therapy, injections, prior surgery, or other appropriate care.

By the time patients ask about spinal cord stimulation, they are often tired of living around pain. They may be planning every walk, drive, workday, family event, or night of sleep around what their body might tolerate. SCS is not for every pain condition, but for the right patient, it can create enough relief to make life feel less restricted and more manageable.

I am Dr. John Villanueva, double board-certified in PM&R and interventional pain management at Villanueva Institute of Pain and Spine (VIPS). I consider spinal cord stimulation carefully because it is a more advanced treatment. Before recommending it, I review your history, imaging, prior treatments, pain pattern, medical needs, and what you hope to do again if your pain is better controlled.

Some patients who come to VIPS have persistent pain after spine surgery. Others have complex regional pain syndrome, painful diabetic neuropathy, chronic back and leg pain, or nerve-related pain that has not responded to more conservative care. My job is to help you understand whether SCS fits your situation, what the trial involves, and what kind of improvement would be meaningful for you.

If you are looking for spinal cord stimulation in Burbank, CA, call VIPS at (818) 669-8895 or request an appointment online. We are located in Burbank and proudly serve patients visiting from Glendale, Pasadena, Van Nuys, Toluca Lake, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, North Hollywood, Sun Valley, La Cañada, La Crescenta, Los Feliz, Atwater Village, Silver Lake, Echo Park, and communities throughout the San Fernando Valley and greater Los Angeles area.

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What Is Spinal Cord Stimulation?

Spinal cord stimulation is a pain management treatment that uses mild electrical impulses to change how pain signals move through the nervous system. A spinal cord stimulator includes thin leads placed near the spinal cord and a small device that powers the stimulation.

The treatment does not remove arthritis, scar tissue, nerve injury, or structural changes in the spine. Instead, it changes the way pain signals get processed. For some patients, that reduction in pain signaling can make walking, sleeping, sitting, working, and daily activity more tolerable.

One of the most important parts of SCS is that you do not start with a permanent implant. You first complete a temporary trial. That trial gives you and me a clearer sense of whether stimulation is likely to help before you make a larger commitment.

How Does Spinal Cord Stimulation Work?

Pain signals travel along nerves and the spinal cord before the brain recognizes them as pain. Spinal cord stimulation delivers controlled electrical pulses near the spinal cord, which can interfere with or modify those pain signals.

Different SCS systems work in different ways. Some forms of stimulation create a gentle tingling sensation in the painful area. Others may work without a noticeable sensation. The settings can often be adjusted so the stimulation better matches your pain pattern and comfort.

I use a device-agnostic approach at VIPS. That means I do not push one device brand on every patient. Different systems have different strengths, and the right choice should depend on your anatomy, pain location, prior surgery, lifestyle, MRI needs, charging preferences, and response during the trial.

What Conditions Can Spinal Cord Stimulation Help?

Spinal cord stimulation is most often used for chronic nerve-related pain that has not improved enough with other treatment. It may be worth discussing if your pain has continued for months or years and still limits your ability to function.

SCS may be considered for:

  • Chronic back and leg pain
  • Persistent spinal pain after surgery
  • Failed back surgery syndrome
  • Complex regional pain syndrome, also called CRPS
  • Painful diabetic neuropathy
  • Chronic nerve pain in the feet, legs, arms, trunk, or back
  • Radicular pain that has not responded enough to other care
  • Neuropathic pain after injury or surgery
  • Certain pain patterns that have not improved with medication, therapy, injections, or other procedures


SCS is not the right answer for every pain problem. If pain is coming from severe compression, instability, infection, an untreated surgical issue, or a pain source that stimulation is unlikely to help, I will explain that. A good SCS outcome starts with choosing the right patient for the right reason.

The SCS Trial, Implant, and Device-Selection Process

Spinal cord stimulation moves forward in stages, starting with a trial before any permanent decision is made, and using a device-agnostic approach to fit the technology to you.

Spinal Cord Stimulation Trial

The SCS trial is the step that makes this treatment different from many other procedures. During the trial, temporary leads are placed near the spinal cord and connected to an external stimulator that you wear for several days, often about a week.

This trial is your opportunity to see whether stimulation changes your real pain during real life. I do not want you to judge the trial only by a number on a pain scale. I want to know whether you can stand longer, walk farther, sleep more comfortably, sit through a meal, drive with less pain, or use less rescue medication.

A successful trial is commonly thought of as at least 50% pain relief, but the full picture matters. If you have meaningful pain reduction and better function, we can talk about a permanent implant. If the trial does not help enough, the temporary leads are removed, and we go back to the larger plan without placing a permanent device.

If the trial is successful, the next step may be permanent implantation. The permanent system includes leads placed near the spinal cord and a small generator implanted under the skin, often in the low back, buttock, or another location chosen for comfort and anatomy.

After the implant, the system is programmed and adjusted over time. This follow-up is important. SCS is not a “set it and forget it” treatment. Your settings may need to be refined as swelling improves, your activity increases, or your pain pattern changes.

A permanent spinal cord stimulator is meant to be a long-term tool for pain control. It still requires realistic expectations, follow-up, and a receptiveness to work with the device as part of your broader care.

Patients sometimes come in having heard about a specific spinal cord stimulator brand. I understand why. Device companies advertise, patients compare stories online, and different technologies can sound very similar from the outside.

At VIPS, I prefer to begin with the patient, not the device. The question is not which brand sounds newest or most recognizable but rather which system fits your pain pattern, anatomy, activity level, ability to use the device, charging preferences, MRI needs, and trial response.

That is what I mean by device-agnostic. I work with leading FDA-approved SCS technologies, but I do not want brand preference to drive the decision. The device should serve your care plan, not the other way around.

Good Candidates for Spinal Cord Stimulation

You may be a good candidate for spinal cord stimulation if your pain has continued despite appropriate care and your symptoms suggest a nerve-related pain pattern that may respond to stimulation.

Many candidates have already tried some combination of medication, physical therapy, injections, nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, surgery, or other pain procedures. Some have pain after spine surgery. Others have CRPS, painful diabetic neuropathy, or chronic nerve pain that has become difficult to manage.

I look at your imaging, medical history, prior procedures, neurological findings, pain distribution, expectations, and ability to participate in follow-up care. A psychological assessment is also part of the process. While this doesn’t mean your pain is “in your head,” chronic pain affects the whole person, so implanted pain devices work best when expectations, coping strategies, and support are addressed honestly.

How I Evaluate You Before Recommending SCS

Before recommending spinal cord stimulation, I want to understand whether the treatment fits your pain and your life. I also want to understand what you have already been through. Many patients considering SCS have a long medical history, and the details matter.

During your consultation, I may review:

  • Where your pain starts and where it travels
  • Whether the pain feels burning, shooting, electric, tingling, numb, aching, or pressure-like
  • Whether symptoms affect your back, legs, feet, arms, trunk, or multiple areas
  • Prior spine surgery, injections, nerve blocks, medications, therapy, or procedures
  • Imaging such as X-rays, MRI, or CT imaging
  • Numbness, weakness, reflex changes, or other neurological findings
  • Whether EMG/NCS testing may help clarify nerve involvement
  • How pain affects walking, sleep, sitting, driving, work, family life, and independence
  • What you would consider a meaningful improvement


Whenever possible, I prefer to review actual imaging, not only the written report. Reports are useful, but the images themselves can show details that affect whether SCS is appropriate or whether another treatment should come first.

Why Choose VIPS for Spinal Cord Stimulation?

Spinal cord stimulation is an advanced treatment. It should be recommended carefully, explained clearly, and followed closely after the trial or implant.

When you choose VIPS, you can expect:

I am double board-certified in PM&R and interventional pain management. My PM&R training helps me understand how pain affects strength, movement, function, rehabilitation, and independence. My interventional training allows me to perform advanced pain procedures when they are appropriate. I am proud to bring the additional expertise of a Certified Life Care Planner to my work. Along with my double-board certifications, this specialized training enables me to assess the long-term medical, rehabilitation, and future care needs of individuals with complex injuries and disabilities.

I review your pain pattern, imaging, prior treatments, medical history, psychological assessment, and functional goals before recommending an SCS trial.

The trial gives you a chance to test stimulation first. If it does not help enough, we do not move forward with permanent implantation.

I do not promote one device brand for every patient. The platform should fit your anatomy, pain pattern, lifestyle, preferences, and clinical needs.

SCS often needs adjustments. I stay involved so your settings, expectations, and following steps remain clear.

If SCS makes sense, I will explain why. If medication management, rehabilitation, injections, radiofrequency ablation, Intracept®, MILD procedure, or a surgical opinion is more appropriate, I will tell you directly.

Many patients come to VIPS after feeling rushed, dismissed, or unsure where to turn. I want you to feel knowledgeable and comfortable asking questions before making a decision about an implanted device.

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What Happens During a Spinal Cord Stimulation Trial?

Before the trial, I review your imaging, medications, medical history, and treatment plan. My team will also go over preparation instructions, activity limits, and what to expect during the trial period.

During the trial procedure, temporary leads are placed near the spinal cord. Those leads connect to an external stimulator, and the device is programmed to cover your pain pattern as closely as possible. You go home with instructions on how to use the trial system and how to track your response.

During that week, it’s important to pay attention to your ordinary life. Can you stand at the sink longer? Walk through the store more comfortably? Sleep with fewer interruptions? Sit in the car with less pain? These details tell us more than a single pain score.

At the end of the trial, the temporary leads are removed. If the trial gave you strong enough relief and better function, we can discuss permanent implantation.

What Happens During Permanent SCS Implantation?

If the trial is successful, permanent implantation may be scheduled. The permanent procedure places the leads near the spinal cord and implants a small generator under the skin.

After surgery, you will receive instructions about incision care, activity restrictions, and follow-up visits. Early healing matters because certain movements may be limited while the leads settle and the incisions heal.

Programming adjustments usually happen after the implant. These visits help improve coverage, improve comfort, and make the device more useful during daily activity.

What Should You Expect After Spinal Cord Stimulation?

After the trial, mild soreness can occur where the temporary leads were placed. After the permanent implant, soreness around the incision sites is expected during early healing.

Pain relief from SCS varies. Some patients feel a clear difference during the trial. Others need programming adjustments before the benefit becomes more obvious. With a permanent system, several follow-up visits may be needed to fine-tune the settings.

SCS is not designed to erase every sensation of pain. A good result usually means pain becomes less dominant, so you can walk farther, sleep better, sit longer, use less medication, participate more in daily life, or feel less trapped by symptoms.

How Long Do Spinal Cord Stimulation Results Last?

Spinal cord stimulation results vary from person to person. Some patients maintain meaningful relief for years. Others have a more limited response, or their pain changes over time.

Several elements can affect results, including the diagnosis, lead placement, programming, activity level, progression of the underlying condition, and how your nervous system responds. One advantage of SCS is that the system can often be reprogrammed if your pain pattern changes.

If the SCS device stops helping, or if your symptoms change significantly, I will promptly reassess your situation. Chronic pain care should respond to what is happening now, not simply repeat the same plan out of habit.

Spinal Cord Stimulation and Your Broader Treatment Plan

SCS can be a major part of a pain management plan, but it is rarely the only part. Depending on your condition, care may also include physical therapy, rehabilitation planning, medication management, EMG/NCS testing, injections, radiofrequency ablation, regenerative medicine, or collaborating with another specialist.

If your pain is nerve-related and has not improved enough with other care, SCS may be useful. However, if pain is coming from a structural problem that needs surgery, severe nerve compression, an unstable spine, or another source, a different option may be better.

At VIPS, I take plenty of time to go over your symptoms, exam findings, imaging, prior treatment response, and daily limitations before recommending advanced care. Spinal cord stimulation should support your ability to function, not simply add another procedure to your medical history.

Spinal Cord Stimulation in Burbank, CA

VIPS is located in Burbank, CA, in the Magnolia Park neighborhood. The office is designed to feel welcoming and personal, with comfortable seating, warm finishes, and original artwork from patients who are working artists.

This is not meant to feel like a cold or rushed pain clinic. I live and work in Burbank, and I care about building a practice where patients become known, not processed. For patients who need a higher level of care, Providence St. Joseph Medical Center is nearby, where I also serve as a staff pain management specialist.

We see patients from Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Van Nuys, Toluca Lake, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, North Hollywood, Sun Valley, La Cañada, La Crescenta, Los Feliz, Atwater Village, Silver Lake, Echo Park, and communities throughout the San Fernando Valley and greater Los Angeles area.

Burbank Spinal Cord Stimulation FAQs

If chronic nerve pain is changing how you walk, sleep, work, sit, drive, or participate in daily life, spinal cord stimulation may be worth discussing.

To schedule a spinal cord stimulation consultation in Burbank, CA, call (818) 669-8895 or contact VIPS online today. The right care may help you spend less time planning around pain and more time living with comfort, confidence, and peace of mind.

Spinal cord stimulation is an advanced pain management treatment that uses mild electrical impulses near the spinal cord to change how pain signals are interpreted. It may be used for certain chronic nerve-related pain conditions when other treatments have not provided enough relief.

The trial is temporary. If the trial provides meaningful relief, you may decide to move forward with a permanent implant. The permanent device is designed for long-term use, but it can be adjusted, reprogrammed, or removed if medically necessary.

The trial period is usually about one week. During that time, you use the temporary system while tracking pain relief, activity tolerance, sleep, medication use, and functional improvement.

A successful trial is commonly considered at least 50% pain relief, especially when that relief comes with better function. I also want to know whether you can do more of what matters to you, such as walking, sitting, sleeping, driving, or completing daily routines with less pain.

A psychological assessment helps evaluate expectations, coping strategies, mood, support, and other factors that can affect outcomes with an implanted pain device. It does not mean your pain is psychological. It is part of a thorough candidacy process.

No. SCS does not cure the underlying condition or remove every sensation of pain. It may reduce pain signals enough to improve comfort, function, and quality of life for properly selected patients.

I use a device-agnostic approach and do not promote one specific brand on the website. The right platform should be selected based on your anatomy, pain pattern, lifestyle, preferences, and clinical needs.

SCS may be considered for certain patients with painful diabetic neuropathy when symptoms are severe, chronic, and not controlled well enough with other treatments. A careful evaluation is needed to determine whether the pain pattern and medical history support a trial.

If the trial does not provide enough relief, the temporary leads are removed and we reconsider the plan. A trial that does not work still gives useful information because it helps avoid a permanent implant that is unlikely to help.

The cost of spinal cord stimulation in Burbank can vary depending on the trial, permanent implant, facility setting, device type, insurance benefits, and authorization requirements. During your consultation, my team can help you understand what information may be needed for scheduling, approval, and cost review.

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