ahhhh, my dear comrade in arms......you do bring up some VERY valid points.

This is coming from a 'lead' person (percutaneous that is, not as in 'leader')
If you are confident in your doctor and know his techniques to be very reputable, then IMO that's a good sign. My Dr (similar to what yours sounds like) is so good at what he does that he actually crosses the barrier of 'regular confident doctor' over into outright COCKY! And in the beginning of our relationship i was a bit irked by this, but in hindsight it actually brings a sense of 'security' because his track record proves he is certainly worthy of his over-the-top confidence....... you may want to put your Peabody Award in a locked case......i wouldn't put it past him to feel HE is worthy of having it.

I asked him questions similar to what you are, and he said that he uses 'anchors' in strategic areas and also knows the 'exact' amount of 'give' in the leads so as not to be too vulnerable to stretching and pulling.....
And sent me on my way saying 'get out of here, go live your life'.

Your body will tell you where to draw the line as far as activities go.
However, there are always the unforeseen unmentionables, such as taking a fall, slipping on ice, etc.....which could render us back to the drawing board.
I have 7 horses. Would LOVE to ride. But I don't see me doing that in the near future (5 months out from surgery) and healed up wonderfully, except that I do have some lower back pain issues which more than likely are a matter of the muscles needing strengthened.
Now, down the road a way, I would like to think I'd be able to ride again, but I would want to make sure I'm on a very well-behaved older mare. I don't want to put myself in any higher of a risk bracket.....but anything can happen....with or without horseback riding in the mix.
I also enjoyed riding dirtbikes with my teenage boys (yeah, go ahead and laugh at the visual - a 40-something mom on a dirtbike) But here also, I'm putting that one on the backburner as well.

I'm curious to find out what the 'very good technique' your doctor uses per what the nurse told you. Ask him point blank. Ask him if he uses anchors. Ask about the 'give' allowance..... Let him know your concerns and make damn sure he gives you answers. Make sure he's talking to your eyeballs and not leafing thru your chart and whatnot.

I don't advocate one way or another on what approach is better. It basically boils down to the doctor/patient/SCS Rep communication.

I've heard some people say they were told they'd never ride again.
I've also heard that horseback riding is the best way to strengthen lower back muscles because it doesn't require bending.
Now when I say 'horseback riding'......I'm thinking in terms of riding blissfully along a prairie.....not barrel racing or bronco competing.
And yes, what if a snake lurks in the grass and makes my horse spook?
Well, that's one out of 1,549 scenerios that could possibly happen, just as easily as I could slip on a pebble on my way into a bingo parlor.....

We're a Godfearing Faithfilled bunch of ButtBuzz Prayer Warriors.
Go with what your heart desires and have good communication with doc.

But at the same time, if you've got any red flags lurking somewhere within, don't ignore those.
Ask, pester, inquire, confirm, question everything until you feel satisfied you know what's goin on....... our Drs get paid VERY well for implanting these units...soooooo

God Bless