Non-Surgical Treatments
Explore the Non-Surgical Treatments of Medications, Physical Therapy and Injections
Medications
There are many over the counter and prescription medications that can help relieve pain. Two types of over the counter medications, acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are commonly recommended to alleviate pain. At times it may be necessary to take prescription medications such as muscle relaxants and/or narcotic pain medications. Other medications such as anti-seizure or anti-depressants may also be helpful.
Physical Therapy
For many of our patients, physical therapy is a vital component of successful treatment and rehabilitation. Consequently, the Florida Spine Institute offers its own modern physical therapy facility and staff which are both highly trained and experienced. This group is trained in the most up-to-date manual and exercise therapies for treatment of neck and back problems. Each therapy candidate is first thoroughly evaluated by our therapists to enable them to individually tailor the treatment program to each patient's needs, within the framework of the treatment plan prescribed by your physician.
Injections
Trigger Point Injection
Trigger point injection (TPI) is used to treat painful areas of a muscle. A trigger point is a knot of muscle that forms when the muscle fails to relax. The knot often can be felt under the skin and may twitch involuntarily when touched.
Epidural Steroid Injection
Epidural steroid injection (ESI) is an injection that can help relieve pain by providing a long lasting steroid and anesthetic agent to the inflamed area. The medications are delivered through the epidural space and the pain relief effects vary from patient to patient. The duration of the relief may be enough to help you significantly improve your function with less daily pain.
Facet Joint Injection
Commonly, facet joint injections are used to determine what may be causing back pain. If the injection eliminates pain temporarily, then it is very likely that that particular joint is causing your pain.
Nerve Blocks
Nerve blocks relieve your pain by interrupting sensory pathways and preventing them from reaching the brain. A local anesthetic is used to temporarily block the transmission of pain along these pathways. Two types of sensory pathways are sympathetic nerve plexus and somatosensory nerve.
Sacroiliac Joint Injection
Sacroiliac (SI) joint injections are performed with fluoroscopic guidance. Injection of a local anesthetic confirms the specific joint as the source of the pain, while the steroid fuels the pain relief.
Prolotherapy
Prolotherapy involves the injection of a solution into an area where connective tissue has been weakened or damaged. A solution is injected into the joints in which causes the tissue to heal itself and strengthen.
Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation is used to destroy nerves of the facet joints. Radiowaves generated produce heat which then destroys the nerves ability to transmit pain.
Hyaluronic Acid Injection
Hyaluronic acid injections are performed to help relieve knee pain. The Hyaluronic acid bonds with the fluid in the knee to cushion and lubricate the joint.
Joint Injection
Joint injections are used to help relieve pain caused by arthritis or other damage to the joint.
Botox Injections
Botox injections may be recommended for some patients to help reduce certain conditions such as torticolis, myofascial pain syndrome and chronic muscle spasms. Typically a gradual relaxation of the muscle develops one to two weeks following the injection.
Prevention Info
Anatomy
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Diagnostic Tests
Surgical Treatments