NON-SURGICAL PAIN PROCEDURES

The field of pain management uses a wide variety of techniques to address pain and painful disorders. There are a wide variety of non-surgical options for pain treatment. The more common treatment approaches include:

Pain medication (Pharmacological):

Typical pain medications used to treat the lower back pain include acetaminophen, NSAIDs, oral steroids, narcotic drugs, muscle relaxants, and anti-depressants. Each type of medication has strengths, limitations, and risks, and the patient’s particular problem in the lower back and overall health will determine which pain reliever, if any, is indicated.

Epidural Steroid Injections:

Direct delivery of steroids and/or anesthetic to into the epidural space in the spine can help provide relief of low back pain. While the pain relief is usually temporary, it can be useful to help the patient feel comfortable enough to start an exercise and rehabilitation program. Epidural injections are effective in providing significant pain relief about 50% of the time, and are generally limited to not more than three per year.

Spinal Decompression Therapy:

Nonsurgical spinal decompression is a type of motorized traction that may help relieve back pain. Spinal decompression works by gently stretchingthe spine. That changes the force and position of the spine. This change takes pressure off the spinal disks, which are gel-like cushions between the bones in your spine, by creating negative pressure in the disc. As a result, bulging or herniated disks may retract, taking pressure off nerves and other structures in your spine. This in turn, helps promote movement of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluids into the disks so they can heal.

TO KNOW HOW EFFECTIVE IT REALLY IS, OUR DOCTORS COMPARE SPINAL DECOMPRESSION WITH OTHER ALTERNATIVES TO SURGERY. THESE INCLUDE:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Physical therapy
• Exercise
• Limited rest
• Steroid injections
• Bracing
• Chiropractic

MOST COMMON TREATMENTS & PROCEDURES AVAILABLE AT ADVANCED PAIN CARE: