Treatment Overview

Step 5: Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)

When conservative treatments (Steps 1–4) have been tried adequately and have not provided sufficient relief, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) may be an option to consider.

What you should know

  • SCS carries risks of complications — including lead migration, infection, device malfunction, and the possibility of revision surgery
  • Not everyone responds to SCS — some patients do not experience meaningful improvement
  • Multiple clinical trials have reported benefits for chronic low back pain, including in patients who have not had prior spine surgery
  • A trial period allows you to test the therapy before committing to a permanent implant
  • Coverage varies by country and insurer:
    • United States: Most private insurance plans and Medicare cover SCS for approved indications, but prior authorization is typically required
    • United Kingdom: Available through the NHS in selected centers, following NICE guidelines
    • Australia: Covered under Medicare with appropriate referral; private health insurance may also cover it
    • Other countries: Check with your national health system or insurer

For more detail, see Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS).