Living life in pain is a reality that many people have to face. Depending on its severity and the area it affects, pain can really make it impossible for a person to live a normal life. In extreme cases, it makes it impossible to even get out of bed in the morning. There are many reasons for pain to occur. It is usually a signal your body is sending to let you know that something is wrong.
Our bodies are equipped with an early warning system that uses pain as an indicator of a problem occurring within. Therefore, the only way to treat pain effectively is to find out its cause. At our pain clinic in Hernando County, our medical staff does exactly that – we focus on first diagnosing the source of pain. Only then do we prescribe the patient with the appropriate treatment.
Are you also struggling with pain? Perhaps it has become a constant in your life, and you simply don’t know how to move past it. Know that there are ways to get rid of it and get back to your normal, pain-free life. All you need to do is get professional help. In this article, we will discuss 5 (of many) pain treatment options that we provide in our pain clinic in Spring Hill and Brooksville.
1. Medial Branch Block
This treatment is very effective for patients experiencing back pain. During the procedure, an anesthetic is injected closed to the medial nerves connected to a specific facet joint in the spine. Medial Branch nerves spread out from spinal facet joints and are responsible for carrying pain signals to the brain. The Medial Branch Block is also treated as a diagnostic tool that helps determine whether facet joints are the source of the patient’s back pain (and if so, at which joints). Before the injections, the doctor will usually ask the patient to get a CT scan or an MRI. In many cases, a Medial Branch Block can result in immediate pain relief, but that of course depends on the patient’s condition. If you are experiencing back or neck pain, contact us to make an appointment at our pain clinic in Spring Hill or Brooksville, during which our doctor can determine whether you are a good candidate for a Medial Branch Block.
2. Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency Ablation is a treatment option for patients struggling with back, neck or joint pain. During the procedure, an area around the nerve tissue is heated up by an electrical current produced by a radio wave. A small needle is injected near the affected area in order for the doctor to be able to place the electrode (through which the radiofrequency current is sent to heat the nerve tissue) in the optimal position. It is aimed at decreasing the pain signal from the affected area. Radiofrequency Ablation is usually prescribed for patients suffering from long-term back/neck pain or arthritis. If you are experiencing back, neck or joint pain, contact us to make an appointment at our pain clinic in Hernando County, during which our doctor can determine whether you are a good candidate for a Radiofrequency Ablation.
3. Spinal Cord Stimulator
A Spinal Cord Stimulator is a procedure that aims at masking pain signals before they reach the brain. During the procedure, a small device – a Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) – is placed under the patient’s skin. It then starts to send a mild electric current to the spinal cord that modifies and masks the pain signals on their way to the brain. This can effectively reduce or eliminate pain in the affected area. This treatment option doesn’t eliminate the source of the pain; it simply lessens the symptoms by altering the signals received by the brain. It can be an option for patients who are still suffering from pain despite trying other methods and treatment options.
4. Nerve Block
A Nerve Block is a procedure during which a nerve-numbing substance is injected in the body to reduce pain. There are several different types of nerve blocks, depending on the area affected by the pain:
- Trigeminal nerve blocks (face)
- Ophthalmic nerve block (eyelids and scalp)
- Supraorbital nerve block (forehead)
- Maxillary nerve block (upper jaw)
- Sphenopalatine nerve block (nose and palate)
- Cervical epidural, thoracic epidural, and lumbar epidural block (neck and back)
- Cervical plexus block and cervical paravertebral block (shoulder and upper neck)
- Brachial plexus block, elbow block, and wrist block (shoulder/arm/hand, elbow, and wrist)
- Subarachnoid block and celiac plexus block (abdomen and pelvis)1
A Nerve Block can be very effective in many cases, but prior to making the decision about undergoing the procedure, you need to consult your pain management doctor. Contact us now to make an appointment.
5. Botox Injection
A Botox injection can benefit patients suffering from muscle pain, neck pain, migraines, and/or myofascial pain. During the procedure, Botox is injected into the affected area, thus blocking the release of acetylcholine, a substance that causes the muscles to contract (and therefore cause pain). The Botox injection helps the muscles relax for up to 3 months after the procedure. To determine whether you are a good candidate for a Botox injection, consult our pain management doctor in Hernando County.
Pain management in Brooksville – About Pain Management & Spine Care
Pain Management & Spine Care’s Medical Director, Dr. Eyad Alsabbagh, is a fellowship-trained Interventional Pain Medicine physician, trained and educated to provide the highest quality of service to patients suffering from multiple conditions, including narcotics addiction and back pain. He utilizes state-of-the-art technology at his Pain Management Clinic in Brooksville. If you wish to find out more about the treatments we provide, or schedule an appointment in our facility, have a look at our website or contact us today.