Spine & Pain Management

Using radio frequencies, selective regions of nervous tissue can be targeted and heated to deliver pain relief. Guided with X-rays, a microelectrode is introduced to a specified region via a needle. The desired tissue is heat to block pain signals from that region.

A corticosteroid with or without an anesthetic is injected in the region of the occipital nerves. The location is just above the neck, at the back of the head. This procedure offers patients temporary relief from neuralgia in this region.

In a spinal biopsy a small sample of boney vertebrae is taken out and examined for any abnormalities. This is done with the insertion of a needle after being given a local anesthetic. Intravenous medications can also be given to relieve pain.

This is a diagnostic method to determine which vertebral discs may be degenerated or damaged. Contrast is injected into the discs and an x-ray is used to visualize whether the discs have tears, fissures or are damaged. These damaged disks maybe the cause of the back pain.

An anesthetic and/or corticosteroid is injected into the area where the pelvic bone (Ilium) joins the spine (sacrum). Bilaterally, these joints help transfer the upper body weight into the hip and legs. X-rays are used to locate the proper site for administration. This procedure is both therapeutic and diagnostic. Pain from sacroiliac joint dysfunction can be significantly reduced with this treatment option.

This is an anesthetic injection that is delivered around the facet joint of the spine where small nerve branches reside. It is done to temporarily block pain signals at a specific facet joint. The facet joints are the connecting points between the boney prominences (spines) of the vertebra. X-rays are used to locate the proper site for administration. This procedure is both therapeutic and diagnostic. If the medial branch is identified as a target for more permanent pain relief, a neurotomy can be offered to provide long lasting pain relief.

An Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI) is one method of reliving pain and pressure on the spinal cord via an injection into the space around the spinal cord and nerve roots. The injection involves both a local anesthetic, for more immediate pain relief, and a corticosteroid, for strong anti-inflammatory effects. X-rays are used to locate the proper site for administration. Epidural Steroid injections are offered when other non-surgical options have not proved beneficial to the patient.

Neurostimulation (also called spinal cord stimulation, or SCS) is a proven therapeutic approach for managing chronic pain that is not effectively controlled with conventional treatments. This therapy uses an implantable medical device, similar to a pacemaker, to interrupt pain signals from reaching the brain. Neurostimulation therapy has enhanced the lives of people with chronic pain, some of who have been able to reduce, or even eliminate the use of pain medications