When it comes to managing neck and back pain, one of the most commonly used and successful types of procedures is known as interventional pain management. These procedures aim to target the underlying causes of pain, providing both short-term and long-term relief. Some of the most commonly used pain management procedures include:

- Epidural Steroid Injections: These injections deliver corticosteroids directly into the epidural space around the spinal cord, reducing inflammation and alleviating pain caused by conditions such as herniated discs or spinal stenosis.

- Trigger Point Injections: Trigger points are tight knots of muscle that can cause localized or referred pain. Trigger point injections involve the injection of anesthetics or corticosteroids directly into these knots, providing relief from muscle-related pain.

- Facet Thermal Ablation: This procedure involves the use of radiofrequency energy to disrupt the nerves responsible for transmitting pain signals from the facet joints in the spine. By numbing these nerves, facet thermal ablation can offer long-lasting pain relief.

- Nerve Block Injections: Nerve block injections involve the injection of anesthetics or anti-inflammatory medications near specific nerves or nerve groups to interrupt the transmission of pain signals. They can provide targeted pain relief for conditions such as sciatica or radiculopathy.

The Difference between Pain Management and Interventional Pain Management:

While both pain management and interventional pain management share the goal of relieving pain, there is a subtle difference between the two. Pain management typically involves a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses various non-invasive or minimally invasive techniques, such as physical therapy, medication management, and lifestyle modifications. On the other hand, interventional pain management specifically focuses on procedures that directly target the source of pain, providing more targeted and immediate relief.

Interventional pain management procedures offer distinct advantages by delivering medications or interventions directly to the affected area, maximizing their effectiveness. These procedures are typically performed by pain management specialists, such as interventional pain physicians, who possess the expertise and experience in performing these precise techniques.

Additional Interventional Pain Management Procedures:

Interventional pain management encompasses a wide range of procedures beyond those mentioned earlier. Some additional procedures that can help address neck and back pain include:

- Radiofrequency Ablation: This procedure uses heat generated by radiofrequency energy to disable the nerves responsible for transmitting pain signals, offering relief from chronic back or neck pain.

- Spinal Cord Stimulation: Spinal cord stimulation involves the implantation of a small device that delivers mild electrical impulses to the spinal cord, interrupting pain signals and replacing them with a gentle tingling sensation.

- Intradiscal Procedures: These procedures, such as intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) or intradiscal biologic injections, target damaged discs in the spine to relieve pain and promote healing.

Interventional pain management procedures provide a valuable option for individuals suffering from neck and back pain. By directly targeting the source of pain, these procedures offer effective and long-lasting relief, allowing individuals to regain control of their life. If you're in pain and are potentially interested in IPM or other procedures to reduce or eliminate your symptoms, our team is standing by to answer any of your questions. Give us a call at (321) 499-4646