5 Interventional Back Pain Treatments
Treating pain can be tricky as there are so many factors that can cause pain symptoms, it can be difficult to decipher where the pain generators are coming from and then the best option for course of treatment. Luckily, there are several interventional treatments that can target pain generators at the source using a minimally invasive approach. One of the more common conditions people experience throughout their lifetime and often times a difficult one to treat is back pain.
Interventional treatments for back pain focus on targeting the root causes of pain with minimally invasive techniques, aiming to provide longer-lasting relief than medications alone. There are a few more common treatments that can provide lasting relief and are performed in and office, out-patient setting, with no anesthesia or any type of surgery involved.
5 of these interventional back pain treatments include:
Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI): This involves injecting a corticosteroid into the epidural space around the spinal cord, reducing inflammation and relieving pain from conditions like herniated discs or spinal stenosis.
Facet Joint Injections: Facet joints are small joints in the spine that can become inflamed and painful. Injections of anesthetic and steroid medication into these joints can provide significant pain relief, particularly for arthritis-related back pain.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): This technique uses heat generated by radiofrequency waves to target and disrupt specific nerves that are transmitting pain signals from the spine, offering relief for patients with chronic pain.
Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS): SCS involves implanting a device that sends electrical signals to the spinal cord to interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain. This method is often used for patients with severe, chronic back pain that has not responded to other treatments.
Nerve Blocks: These involve injecting anesthetic agents directly into or near the nerves responsible for transmitting pain signals, providing temporary or even long-term pain relief for various conditions, including sciatica and other nerve-related pain.
These interventional treatments, often performed by pain management specialists, are generally considered safe and can be combined with other therapies to optimize pain relief and improve quality of life. However, they are not suitable for everyone, and treatment plans should be individualized based on the patient's specific diagnosis and overall health.
If you are experiencing back pain or have had a back or spinal injury, consult with a healthcare professional to receive a correct diagnosis and learn about the treatment plans that may be the right fit for you.