There are various causes of chronic pain, including spinal osteoarthritis, neuropathy, and annular tears. Individuals experiencing persistent pain can benefit from working with specialized pain management services, as many conditions require a unique intervention strategy. Here are several treatment options to help patients manage chronic pain:

Spinal Cord Stimulation

Patients suffering from chronic back and arm or leg pain can rely on spinal cord stimulation (SCS). This pain management intervention treats chronic pain resulting from specific nerves in the back or limbs. A specialist providing pain management services places a spinal cord stimulator, an implantable device, close to those nerves. The device delivers electrical currents to the spine, blocking pain signals from reaching the brain. Spinal cord stimulation is ideal for managing chronic pain caused by conditions like neuropathy and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation

Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) treats chronic pain from all over the body without targeting the spinal canal. The procedure involves placing a wire-like electrode next to the peripheral nerves causing the pain. This device sends electrical pulses to the nerves to disrupt pain signals. PNS works much like SCS, except that the former sends electrical currents to the nerves outside of your spinal cord. During pain alleviation services, a pain specialist will target peripheral nerves that run from the spinal cord to your limbs or other body organs. Peripheral nerve stimulation helps in managing pain resulting from peripheral neuropathy and CRPS.

Radiofrequency Ablation

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a nonsurgical pain management procedure targeting pain from facet joints. It can be used to manage chronic lower back pain. The procedure involves delivering radiofrequency waves to the affected nerves to block pain signals from reaching the brain. Before conducting the procedure, specialists use anesthetic medication to identify the affected nerves. RFA can be an effective alternative to cortisone injections. It’s ideal for arthritis, chronic neck or back pain, and sacroiliac joint pain.

Facet Injections

Patients suffering from facet joint pain require a specialized treatment option to diagnose and manage the pain. Facet joint injections help treat pain emanating from facet joints along the entire spine. A specialist will use X-ray guidance to locate the joints and visualize the needle as it goes into the joint. The purpose of the needle is to deliver the medication to the joints, alleviating chronic back and neck pain. Facet joint injections help manage conditions like spondylosis and inflammation.

Epidural Steroid Injections

Healthcare providers use epidural steroid injections as a treatment option for inflammation in the spinal canal. This treatment is ideal for alleviating back, neck, leg, and arm pain. A specialist providing pain control services will use the injection to deliver anti-inflammatory steroid medication directly to the epidural space. They use X-rays to locate the epidural space that is generating pain and monitor the injection for accuracy. Epidural steroid injections can be effective for managing conditions like disc herniation, radiculopathy, and spinal stenosis.

Find Professional Pain Management Services

If severe enough, chronic pain can prevent individuals from performing their daily activities. Whether a patient has spinal osteoarthritis, spondylitis, or a herniated disc, there are effective treatment options to help manage the pain. A pain management specialist will diagnose the root cause and use a suitable therapy to address the condition. Contact a professional healthcare provider today to learn more about their pain management services.