SCS For Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome Type 1

This deeply personal talk explores over a decade of work in advancing 10 kHz spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for patients with chronic axial low back pain who have never had surgery (“virgin backs”). Highlighting the limitations of opioids, gabapentinoids, and spinal fusion, Dr. Adnan Al-Kaisy presents compelling long-term outcomes showing significant pain reduction, opioid tapering, and return-to-work rates. He reviews multiple global RCTs supporting SCS efficacy, critiques flawed placebo trials, and introduces a rigorous, double-blind sham-controlled UK study (now paused due to funding). The talk calls for changing treatment algorithms, placing SCS earlier in care and prioritizing evidence-driven patient-centered pain management.