Garden State Pain Management

The Use of Lumbar Radiofrequency Ablation for the Alleviation of Lower Back Pain

There are many causes of chronic lower back pain. Although many types of pain management exist for this condition, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has become a good choice for alleviating chronic lower back pain.

Oftentimes, this type of pain is caused by an injured lumbar facet joint, either in the cartilage in the joint or in the ligaments surrounding it.  RFA treats this pain by preventing the lumbar medial branch nerve from sending pain signals to the brain. RFA also lasts longer than other treatment solutions, like epidural injections.

• How Lumbar Radiofrequency Ablation Works

During the procedure, the doctor will insert a needle near the facet joint and position it using a type of x-ray. He will stimulate the nerve to make sure the needle is placed correctly.  Next, the area will be numbed, and radiofrequency energy, which uses the heat energy of an electromagnetic wave, will be used to disrupt the function of the medial branch nerve. This allows the doctor to precisely target the nerve that’s causing the pain.

• Following the Procedure

Afterwards, you’ll be monitored by the doctor for 30 minutes, and then you can go home. Your doctor may ask you to keep a pain diary to evaluate the results of the procedure. You may feel sore for a few days, and you may experience slightly odd sensations (numbness, weakness, and itchiness) for the first few weeks. Full pain relief should occur in two to three weeks. As your doctor can explain, nerves do regenerate after an RFA, and with those nerves, the pain may or may not return. Another RFA can be performed if the pain does return.

Garden State Pain Management offers a wide variety of treatments for back pain. We work with you to find the best option to treat your specific condition. Call us at (888) 481-6521 to schedule a consultation today.

Why You Should Not Wait to See a Specialist about Your Pain

Whether it’s acute or chronic, pain is a symptom that should not be ignored. However, many people are often reluctant to speak to a specialist about their pain, because they feel that pain is simply weakness and that they should “tough it out.” Unfortunately, failing to treat pain and its causes can have devastating results. Here are a few of the reasons why you shouldn’t wait to see a specialist about your pain.

• Needless Suffering

Pain should not prevent you from moving or performing your normal activities. Today, there are a wide range of treatments for chronic and acute pain conditions. Treatments like physical therapy can help you overcome the pain and return to your normal life. Other forms of pain management, like acupuncture or medication, may relieve the pain to help you stay active.

• Trial and Error

The default method of pain management for your condition may not be effective for you. Although you may think that you must suffer through your pain after receiving ineffective pain management, it’s likely that a different treatment could relieve your pain more effectively.

• Worsening of Pain

Pain is a sign that something is wrong. Failure to treat the pain and its causes may result in a worsening of the pain over time, which is why it’s always important to seek treatment as soon as possible.

• Psychological Consequences

Often, people neglect to realize the psychological consequences of pain. Anxiety and depression can result from prolonged pain, along with loss of appetite and poor sleeping habits. All of these conditions will leave you feeling uncomfortable and may also further extend your recovery time.

A pain management doctor has the necessary expertise to help you combat your pain. Garden State Pain Management offers many pain treatments, including epidural injections and physical therapy, to help you on your road to recovery. Call us at (888) 481-6521 to schedule an appointment.

Physical Therapy Techniques for a Bulging Disc

Have you recently reached forward and felt pain in your back? Did this pain move from your back to down your leg? If so, you may have a bulging disk.

In this video, you’ll learn some techniques for relieving the pain of this condition. Since bulging discs often result from a flexion of the spine, sometimes extensions can be effective in correcting the problem. This means if reaching forward caused your pain, moving backward may help relieve it. This video shows you one exercise to try.

For help with bulging disks, contact Garden State Pain Management at (888) 481-6521. With 15 years of experience treating a variety of acute and chronic back pain, we can help you to find the right treatments for you.

The Important Role of Physical Therapy in the Healing Process

After a major injury, illness, or surgery, your body may have a hard time going back to its old way of moving. In some cases, going back to previous routines can be painful or even harmful to your health. This is why physical therapy is so important. They’re an essential part of the healing and pain management process, as they strive to get you back to your daily activities and prevent future issues:

• Getting Back to Daily Activities: Physical therapists work on a variety of issues. Some focus on tendons and ligaments, some specialize in respiratory issues, and some treat back pain. Whatever their area of expertise, physical therapists strive to get their patients back to their daily activities.Most physical therapists teach patients exercises that may increase strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance. Depending on your particular medical condition, one or more of these areas may be stressed over the others. In addition to the training you do with your physical therapist, you’ll probably be assigned exercises to do on your own.

• Preventing Future Issues: Physical therapists also strive to prevent future issues. After an injury, it’s tempting to take shortcuts when you’re moving or to avoid moving the injured body part at all. Unfortunately, this can create even more damage. Physical therapists will help you train your body to avoid bad habits that could cause further injury. Physical therapists can also help you correct issues that may put you at risk for another accident. For example, if you’re recovering from a fall, a physical therapist can show you exercises to build balance and coordination to help you avoid injury in the future.

Garden State Pain Management believes that physical therapy plays a key role in the healing process. We find that physical therapy is an effective treatment for back pain. We also offer other services, including epidural injections and acupuncture. Call our office at (888) 481-6521 to learn more.

A Basic Guide to Minimally Invasive Spinal Therapies

When it comes to back pain and related conditions, it’s wise to begin treating your symptoms with minimally invasive treatments. Here are several popular minimally invasive spinal therapies that could help you combat back pain:

• Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: Advances in surgical techniques make spinal surgery much less invasive than in the past. These techniques utilize cutting-edge technology to avoid large incisions or stress on surrounding tissues. This means that you’ll have a quicker recovery, less scarring and pain, and reduced blood loss.

• Physical Therapy: Physical therapy is not only helpful after a minimally invasive spinal surgery, but it can also be useful on its own in the treatment of back pain. Physical therapists can teach you exercises to strengthen your back muscles, as well as supporting muscles like your abs, which can help you reduce your risk for further pain and injury.

• Chiropractic Manipulation: Chiropractic manipulation is a classic treatment for spinal problems and lower back pain. Focusing on adjusting the spine manually, chiropractic manipulation can help ease pain and increase range of motion.

• Epidural Injections: Epidural injections seek to reduce pain and inflammation by providing anti-inflammatory medications, steroids, and anesthetics directly to the affected area in the back. They’re used to treat several conditions, including spinal stenosis, a herniated disk, and post-operative pain.

• Acupuncture: A traditional treatment in Chinese medicine, acupuncture involves the placement of thin needles into various parts of the body. Although there are claims about its effectiveness for infertility and preventing illness, Western medicine generally accepts it for its ability to relieve pain. It’s become a popular treatment for back pain.

At Garden State Pain Management, we strive to consider all minimally invasive spinal therapies before resorting to invasive surgeries. We understand that back and lower back pain can have a devastating impact on your life, so we try to find the best treatments to promote your wellbeing. Contact us at (888) 481-6521 to learn more.