8 Treatments a Back Specialist in NY Should Use Before Surgery
July 07, 2020
Pause Before You Agree to Spine Surgery
Some back specialists in NY are also spine surgeons. They’re trained in traditional pain remedies like narcotic prescriptions, spine surgery, and symptom-based medication. But many are not trained in interventional pain medicine, an innovative pain management field with substantial benefits over surgery. Before you book an appointment with a spine surgeon or agree to a surgical procedure, visit the award-winning, Harvard-trained team at Pain Treatment Specialists to learn about better solutions. Here are 8 of the non-invasive treatments we use to relieve back pain more effectively.
Back Doctors Should Favor Gentle Procedures Including These 8
1. Lumbar Radiofrequency Ablation
Dealing with chronic lower back pain? Ask your back specialist about Lumbar Radiofrequency Ablation. The facet joints located in pairs along the spine are sometimes prone to inflammation or arthritis. This treatment uses a generator that operates at high frequencies to deliver electromagnetic heat waves at the speed of light directly to the nerve endings triggering pain in the facet joints. Your doctor will place a cannula, or insulated needle, next to the nerves, guided by fluoroscopy (X-ray) to test the location. They will then anesthetize the area and heat the cannula for 90 seconds to direct heat at the nerve. Two distinct advantages to this procedure are the lack of steroids involved and the brevity of the procedure which provides relief for 6 to 8 months.
2. Lumbar Epidural
A Lumbar Epidural, or Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI), combines corticosteroids with anesthetics for a powerful antidote to pain and inflammation. Used for multiple forms of back and leg pain, this treatment is quick and effective, and can be combined with a rehabilitation program for additional benefits. Lumbar Epidurals are performed while awake with local anesthetics and a low dose sedative if desired. Using an intravenous catheter, a Tuohy needle, or a hypodermic needle, your doctor gently punctures the sacrococcygeal membrane to deliver relief with guided fluoroscopy to the inflamed nerve root.
3. Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection
In addition to Lumbar Epidurals, interventional back specialists in NY can inject corticosteroids or anesthetics into irritated nerves in the cervical space of your spine for upper back pain that extends into your neck, shoulders, and arms. The pain, swelling, and inflammation can disappear within minutes, restoring a full range of movement.
4. Sacroiliac Joint Injection
If you suffer from frustrating sciatic pain, SI Joint Injections provide welcome relief. Also known as a Sacroiliac Joint Block, this method both diagnoses and treats sciatica symptoms caused by sacroiliac joint dysfunction, which causes pain in the low back, buttocks, groin, and legs. The sacroiliac joints connect the spine to the sacrum, pelvic bones, and hips on each side. Guided by fluoroscopy, your doctor injects anesthetic into the joint to diagnose and relieve your pain. Corticosteroids can then be injected to relieve inflammation and pain for extensive time periods.
5. Lumbar Facet Injection
Also known as a Lumbar Facet Joint Block, this procedure injects a local anesthetic or steroid medicine into one or more of the small joints on each side of the vertebrae in the lower spine. Commonly used for arthritic changes and mechanical back pain that restricts movement, these injections can safely be used multiple times and can help patients tolerate physical therapy. This quick procedure helps doctors both pinpoint and relieve the specific location of your pain.
6. Cervical Facet Block Injection
Like the Lumbar Facet Block, your doctor targets certain facet joints in the cervical area of your spine with a tiny amount of anesthetic or steroid with fluoroscopic guidance. Typically only one or two injections are needed to eradicate the pain.
7. Trigger Point Injections
Trigger points are sensitive areas often deep within connective tissues or muscles that hurt when you touch them or overuse them. They cause knotting and bands of tension when muscles can’t relax. Located in your neck, back, shoulders, and head, they can be deactivated with Trigger Point Injections. A tiny needle deposits anesthetics and corticosteroids to eliminate pain without side effects. It’s a quick procedure, even when multiple areas require injections.
Our Treatment Options Provide Superior Patient Care
At Pain Treatment Specialists in NY, we offer all of the latest interventional spine treatments to help you avoid invasive spine surgery. Whether your back or neck pain is acute or chronic, we have the latest tools to eliminate your pain safely, gently, and swiftly. With updated visitor options like telemedicine and remote assistance, we make back pain relief simple and convenient. Our back pain clinic in NY is easy to find, right near the Empire State Building.
Spinal Stenosis to Herniated Discs: Back Conditions We Treat
Our world-renowned team of doctors is board certified in multiple fields, including interventional pain medicine. Each of our physicians is a highly reputed back specialist in NY with extensive experience identifying and gently relieving pain. Here are some of the common back pain conditions we treat.
- Chrоnіс spinal раіn
- Sроndуlоѕіѕ (ѕріnаl arthritis)
- Whiplash
- Post-ѕurgical spinal pain
- Nеurораthіс раіn соndіtіоnѕ
- Pеrірhеrаl nerve еntrарmеnt ѕуndrоmеѕ
- Cоmрlеx Rеgіоnаl Pаіn Sуndrоmе (CRPS or RSD)
- Sciatic pain
- Arthritis
- Spinal stenosis
- Herniated discs
- Radiating or chronic pain from sacroiliac joints
- Facet joint dysfunction
- Physical therapy intolerance
- Pain that is difficult to diagnose
- Degenerative disc disease
- Pinched nerve
- Spondylolisthesis
- Muscle and ligament strains, sprains, or tears
- Injury
- Breaks and fractures
- Deformity
- Scoliosis
If you’re suffering with back pain, contact the most renowned interventional back specialist in NY- Pain Treatment Specialists. We offer safe, affordable, gentle procedures for relief within minutes. Contact us to learn more!
Book a Consultation
Scheduling a consultation with one of our pain treatment specialists is one of the best ways to determine the proper solution for pain relief.
Meet our Harvard trained team
Dr. George Hanna
Harvard Medical School | NY & NJ Pain Specialist
Dr. Hanna received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He completed anesthesiology residency at Massachusetts General Hospital – Harvard Medical School and a pain management fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital – Harvard Medical School. Dr. Hanna was then appointed Clinical Instructor of Anesthesia at Harvard Medical School – training new graduates for over 3 years in anesthesiology and pain management techniques at Massachusetts General Hospital.
