Botox injections are often thought of as a cosmetic procedure to keep Hollywood stars looking young, but applying Botox for migraines has helped many people deal with this debilitating, chronic pain.What is Botox?Botox is a neurotoxic protein produced by bacteria known as Botulinum toxin. While it is a toxin, when used precisely in very small doses, Botox can reduce muscle …
A Sphenopalatine ganglion block, or SPG block, is a procedure that can help reduce or eliminate pain in the head and face through the use of a numbing injection to nerves in the face. What is the Sphenopalatine Ganglion?The Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG) is a nerve bundle that lies behind the nose, deep in the face. This bundle of nerves carries …
A spinal cord stimulator (SCS) is a small device, similar to a pacemaker, that uses electrical impulses to relieve chronic pain of the back, arms, and legs. The device masks pain signals before they reach the brain. There are a few types of SCS implants, but each is comprised of three main parts:A battery-powered pulse generator which creates the electrical …
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure designed to reduce or eliminate pain through the application of heat. In this procedure, an electrical current is used to burn problematic nerves, preventing them from sending pain signals. RFA may be used in patients suffering from chronic pain.Who can benefit from RFA?Conditions causing inflammation, specifically in facet and sacroiliac joints, can …
The Vertiflex Superion implant offers patients suffering from lumbar spinal stenosis a minimally invasive alternative to other, more intense surgical options, such as a laminectomy or spinal fusion.What is lumbar spinal stenosis?Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a narrowing of the spinal passage caused by the natural degeneration of discs, typically as a result of aging. This condition may also appear …
A pain pump, also known as an intrathecal pump implant, offer patients medication directly at the source of pain. A small pump about the size of a hockey puck is implanted under the skin and stops pain signals from reaching the brain. Pain receptors in the vicinity of the spinal cord are able to interrupt any pain signal trying to …
Facet joints are pairs of joints that are present down the length of the spine. They are similar to hip or knee joints in that they are made up of a joint capsule, a nerve supply, and articular cartilage. Like the other joints in the body, facet joints can become painful and inflamed. Two common causes of facet joint pain …
Lumbar Transforaminal Steroid InjectionsLumbar transforaminal steroid injections are injections administered directly into the epidural area of the spine. This is a non-surgical method of treatment to reduce swelling and pain in the spine. The injection may also contain a mixture of lidocaine to assist with pain associated with inflammation, or a saline solution to flush inflammatory proteins out of the …
Also referred to as radiofrequency rhizotomy, lumbar facet radiofrequency neurotomy is a procedure used to reduce or eliminate pain in damaged facet joints of the lumbar spine. Through the use of radiofrequency energy, pain signals from the damaged nerve are disrupted, preventing the lumbar branch nerve from transmitting pain signals to the brain. Lumbar facet radiofrequency neurotomy can be used …
Medial Branch BlocksMedial branch blocks are a type of injection used to numb pain originating from the medial branch nerves that supply the facet joints. Due to the temporary nature of the medial branch block, it is often used to determine the potential efficacy of other, more permanent treatments. A medial branch block can be performed in either the cervical …