Selective Injections
Some Injections we offer include:
- Trigger Point Injections
- Myobloc/Botox Injections
- Nerve Block Injections
- Epidural Steroid Injections
- Joint Injections (Sacroiliac, Lumbar Facet, Shoulder, Hip, Knee)
- Radio Frequency Ablation
- Spinal Cord Stimulator
- Kyphoplasty/Vertebroplasty
Trigger Point Injections
Trigger point injections (TPI) for pain management is an option for a lot of patients. TPI's treat painful areas of muscle that contain trigger points or knots of muscle that can form if muscles do not relax. Referred pain, or pain that is felt from another part of the body, may occur when these knots irritate surrounding nerves.
Process
A small needle containing a local anesthetic will be inserted into the trigger point area. From this, the trigger point is made inactive and pain is alleviated. These injections will only take a few minutes. Several injection sites can be done during one visit and if you are allergic to a certain drug then we can consider using a dry-needle technique where no medication is used.
Candidates
Many muscle groups can be treated using trigger point injections. Common areas include the neck, arms, lower back, and legs. Trigger point injections can treat:
- Fibromyalgia
- Tension Headaches
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome (that does not respond to other treatments)
During your visit we will discuss how trigger point injections can relieve your muscle pain and determine what other treatment options there are available so you can make an educated decision on what is best for you.
Nerve Block Injections
A nerve block is when an injection with a nerve-numbing substance is used so pain that is being caused by a specific body region or organ is blocked from sending pain signals to the brain.
Nerve blocks help control pain. The part of your body where you are experiencing pain will determine what type of block will be used. For example, pain on the neck and back will need a cervical epidural, thoracic epidural, or lumbar epidural block while those who suffer from pain on the shoulder or upper neck will need a cervical plexus or cervical paravertebral block.
Candidates for Therapeutic Nerve Blocks
We will discuss the pain you are experiencing to determine if nerve blocks are right for you. Those suffering from disc herniations or peripheral neuropathy find relief with therapeutic nerve blocks. Your current state of health and medical history will be taken into consideration to ensure this is an ideal treatment for you. Therapeutic nerve blocks only relieve symptoms temporarily and are not considered to be long-term treatment.
Epidural Steroid Injections
We will give you an epidural injection to reduce inflammation in your spine, reducing pain and allowing time for your condition to heal.
The spine consists of boney vertebrae stacked one on the other, shock absorbing intervertebral discs lying between the vertebrae, ligaments and muscles connecting the bones, and the spinal cord with its branching spinal nerves. The spinal cord is bathed in cerebral spinal fluid and surrounded by a protective membrane called the dura. Just outside this membrane is the epidural space. Each intervertebral disc consists of a tough outer layer called the annulus fibrosis and a spongy inner material called the nucleus pulposus. From aging or injury, the annulus fibrosis may weaken or degenerate, as a result the disc may bulge into the surrounding neuro and vascular structures causing inflammation and pain. If the annulus completely breaks down, the nucleus may ooze through causing a disc herniation. The resulting inflammation and swelling may irritate one of the spinal nerves nearby resulting in a condition known as Radiculopathy.
What it treats
Disc herniations in the lower or lumbar region of the back tend to produce shooting pain down the leg, a condition known as sciatica. If a disc herniates in the neck, the pain radiates into the arm. Another condition that can cause pain and inflammation in the area of the spinal nerves is Osteoarthritis, which may cause excess bone growth at the joints of the spine resulting in compression of the nearby spinal nerves.
How it works
An epidural steroid injection is a minimally invasive procedure. To begin, your doctor will numb the skin on your back with a local anesthetic. Using an X-ray image for guidance, your doctor will insert a needle between the bones and through the ligaments of your spine until it reaches the epidural space at the level of the inflammation. Once the needle has been inserted into the epidural space, your doctor will inject the steroid solution. After your procedure, you may apply ice to the injection area for pain relief and take over-the-counter pain medications.
Botox Injections
If you suffer from chronic back and neck pain, you may also suffer from headaches or migraines. Pain in the neck or back can be the primary cause of headaches and migraines. In other case the nerves outside your skull may be the source of your headaches and migraines. In each case Botox injections may help manage your pain. The theory behind using Botox is to interrupt the signals between the nerve and muscles while increasing your range of motion. Botox must be administered through a licensed medical doctor. Botox helps relax the muscles and decrease the pressure on the nerve(s) that cause you pain.
Advantages
Using Botox for headaches and migraines over oral medication is beneficial because the effects of the solution are local and do not cause side effects that other medications tend to have, such as dizziness, fatigue, and sedation. If you suffer from chronic headaches or migraines we will work with you to develop a treatment plan that will give you results you're looking for.