Back Pain Treatments

Over 80% of the population will have back pain in their lifetime. Finding the source of back pain can be a frustrating journey.

Excessive load, stress, or an injury can cause inflammation or damage that can cause back pain. Also, normal degenerative changes, disc dehydration, and disc bulges, arthritis, bone conditions, muscle strains, or injuries to the back could all be involved. Dr. Verma can help you identify the most likely cause for your back pain is, and help alleviate various degrees of back pain through effective pain management methods.

Treating back pain early, with a well-rounded, specific plan is paramount to aiding in the pain. Once your pain is brought under control, Dr. Verma can begin to address the cause of the problem.

Dr. Verma will help guide you to deal with your back pain using a multifactorial approach including exercise therapy, massage therapy, physical therapy, pain journals, pain resources, and various procedures such as trigger point injections, nerve blocks, or minimally invasive procedures to help you get back to living a more functional life.

More information on Treatment Options for Back Pain

Treatment Options for Back Pain

CornerLoc™ SI Joint Stabilization System

The CornerLoc™ fusion procedure is a minimally-invasive technique used to treat SI Joint Pain. It’s performed through two small incisions in the lower back, taking advantage of the most direct access to the SI Joint. This procedure results in less surgical trauma, reduced blood loss, and shorter recovery time.

Causes of SI Joint Instability and Pain

  • Prior injury or accident
  • Postpartum pelvic girdle pain
  • Ligamentous loosening due to pregnancy
  • Arthritis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Low back instability or prior low back surgery

Common Symptoms of Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

As with other joints in the body, the SI joint can become damaged, can suffer from wear and tear, or the ligaments supporting the joint may be stretched or injured. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction and the associated pain can be caused by a specific traumatic event (disruption) or can develop over time (degeneration).

  • Low back pain
  • Pelvis/buttock pain
  • Lower extremity pain
  • Hip/groin pain
  • Problems sitting, sleeping, or walking

The CornerLoc™ SI Joint Stabilization System may be the right solution for you. This system has been specifically designed to achieve optimal stabilization and fusion potential, with minimal surgical invasiveness. After careful preparation of the SI joint, two CornerLoc™ grafts are placed orthogonally within the SI joint, effectively creating immediate joint stability and an ideal environment for fusion.

Kyphoplasty

Kyphoplasty treats compression fractures in the spine. It’s most commonly done under general anesthesia. The procedure is performed using a balloon catheter injected into the vertebrae. When the balloon inflates, it helps restore the collapsed vertebrae affected by the compression fracture. When the balloon is completely inflated, it is removed, and the space is filled with bone cement (called polymethylmethacrylate). The cement then hardens and helps correct the height of the vertebrae.

Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection

This injection procedure is used to reduce lower back pain. It involves injecting a local anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medication – a steroid or corticosteroid – into the epidural space in the spine. The medication affects the nerves that are causing pain and works to decrease swelling and inflammation.

Lumbar Facet Injection

A lumbar facet joint injection is when a numbing medicine (local anesthetic) and anti-inflammatory medication like a steroid. It is injected directly into the facet joint, which sits alongside the vertebrae in the lower back. A lumbar facet joint injection can be used to diagnose or manage pain caused by conditions like degenerative disc disease and general wear and tear.

Lumbar Medial Branch Block

Medial branch blocks are diagnostic tests used to help verify, or rule out, a facet joint as a source of pain. The medial branch refers to the nerves that carry pain signals from the spinal facet joints to the brain. A medial branch block is an injection of chemicals that temporarily block the sending of signals. The block is placed in much the same location as a facet joint injection. This can help confirm the joint is the cause of the patient’s pain and leads to a radiofrequency ablation procedure for chronic pain relief.

You will need to make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your level of pain relief after the injection.

Radiofrequency Ablation

Radiofrequency ablation – or RFA – is a minimally-invasive procedure that uses heat from radio waves to destroy damaged nerves or tissues that send pain signals to the brain. It is used most frequently in chronic neck, knee, pelvic, and neuropathy patients. Radiofrequency ablation is also used for those with arthritis pain or degenerative disc disease.

Sacroiliac Joint Injection

Sacroiliac Joint (SI joint) pain occurs in the low back and buttocks when there is damage or injury in the joint between the hips and spine. It is often mistaken for a herniated disc or hip condition. The damage causes inflammation and is treated with anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, or lifestyle modifications. When more traditional treatments fail to reduce pain effectively, SI Joint injections are used. These injections provide temporary relief and can put off any invasive procedures.

Spinal Cord Stimulator

A spinal cord stimulator is an implanted device that aids with chronic pain. The procedure involves thin electrical wires and a small battery pack. The electrical wires (or electrodes) are placed in the epidural space (below the bony vertebra but above the spinal cord. The spinal cord stimulator sends impulses to alter the signals of pain received by your brain and body. Though there are implanted devices, the control is all done from external sources. You will have an opportunity for a 7 to 10-day trial with an external electrode and battery pack. If you’ve tried conservative care options but your chronic pain symptoms persist or are looking for a non-opioid, minimally invasive treatment option, you may be a candidate for spinal cord simulators.

mild® Procedure

The mild® Procedure – minimally invasive lumbar decompression – reduces pressure on the spine. This outpatient procedure is used to treat spinal stenosis and unlike other treatment options, it does not require a large incision, stitches, anesthesia, or even an implant.

Minuteman®

The Minuteman® procedure is an inter-spinous spacer and fusion device to help stabilize and fuse the throacic, lumbar, and sacral spine. It is intended for patients who suffer from spine degeneration due to aging, trauma, or spondylolisthesis. Weakness and instability of the spine can cause severe pain in the legs and buttocks area.

Our Services

We offer a variety of evidence-based, innovative, non-surgical treatment and/or minimally invasive procedures.

Conditions Treated

We aim to provide unique pain solutions for injuries and conditions that cause pain, nerve discomfort, and headaches.

Patient Testimonials

Please read what others are saying about Dr. Nikhil Verma, and as always, we would love to collect your feedback.