Advanced Pain Solutions: SCS and DRG Therapy
December 9, 2025
Chronic nerve pain can feel relentless — especially when conservative treatments no longer bring the relief you need. Today’s interventional pain medicine offers advanced neuromodulation options that go far beyond medication and physical therapy. Two breakthrough treatments, Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) and Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) Therapy, are transforming outcomes for patients with severe, life-altering nerve pain.
If you’re searching for advanced pain solutions that target the true source of your pain, here’s how these exciting therapies work and who they’re helping.
What Is Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)?
Spinal Cord Stimulation uses small electrical impulses to interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain. A compact device — similar to a pacemaker — sends these pulses through thin electrodes placed near the spinal cord.
Unlike medication, SCS does not mask pain. Instead, it changes how the nervous system processes pain altogether.
SCS Can Help With:
- Chronic back and leg pain
- Neuropathic pain after spine surgery (failed back surgery syndrome)
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Radicular pain from nerve injury
Why Patients Choose SCS
- Personalized, adjustable therapy
- Often reduces or eliminates opioid use
- Minimally invasive outpatient procedure
- Includes a “trial phase” to test relief before implantation
What Is Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) Therapy?
DRG Therapy is a more targeted form of neuromodulation that focuses on the dorsal root ganglion — clusters of nerve cells that act as gateways for pain signals in specific regions of the body.
Because DRG stimulation can pinpoint incredibly precise pain locations, it is especially effective for patients with focal, localized pain that hasn’t responded to other therapies.
DRG Therapy Is Ideal For:
- CRPS of the foot, knee, or groin
- Post-surgical neuropathic pain
- Localized nerve injuries
- Pelvic or groin pain
- Post-hernia repair neuralgia
Why DRG Therapy Stands Out
- Provides highly targeted stimulation
- Effective for challenging, region-specific pain
- Designed for patients who haven’t responded to traditional SCS
SCS vs. DRG Therapy: Understanding the Difference
| Feature | SCS | DRG Therapy |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Widespread or radiating pain | Localized, specific-area pain |
| Technology | Leads placed over spinal cord | Leads placed at dorsal root ganglion |
| Typical conditions | Back/leg pain, neuropathy | CRPS, groin/knee/foot pain |
| Precision | Moderate | Extremely high |
Who Is a Candidate?
You may be a strong candidate if you have:
- Chronic nerve pain lasting six months or longer
- Pain that hasn’t improved with traditional treatments
- Pain that limits work, mobility, or daily activities
- CRPS, neuropathy, or post-surgical nerve pain
- A desire to reduce dependence on medications
Both therapies begin with a temporary trial, giving you the chance to experience relief before moving forward with long-term implantation.
Why These Advanced Pain Solutions Are Changing Lives
- Significant reductions in daily pain
- Improved mobility and confidence
- Better sleep and emotional well-being
- Return to daily activities and hobbies
- Reduced reliance on medications
For many patients, SCS or DRG Therapy marks a major turning point in their recovery journey.
Final Thoughts
If chronic nerve pain has disrupted your life, advanced pain solutions like SCS and DRG Therapy may offer the long-lasting relief you’ve been seeking. These innovative treatments work with your nervous system to calm overactive pain pathways, restore function, and help you reclaim your quality of life.
A brighter, more comfortable future may be closer than you think.