Have you noticed that your chronic pain is compromising your everyday activities? If so, you might have attempted more conservative procedures, such as medicine and rehabilitation exercises to manage your pain. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all in pain management. Thus, while most people will find relief in these conservative treatments, they are not always effective. However, just because you do not achieve the desired outcomes does not imply that you should put up with your pain; interventional medicine could be the answer you seek. Dr. Jay Shah and his expert staff at Livingston Samwell Institute for Pain Management have the right experience and knowledge to help. Continue reading to learn more.
What Exactly Is Interventional Medicine, And How Does It Work?
Interventional therapy is a collaborative approach to pain management that utilizes pain-obstructing techniques to relieve discomfort, improve everyday activities, and enhance life quality. This approach to pain is often employed when conservative treatments, including physical therapy and prescription medicine, have not provided the degree of relief you require.
There is a range of therapies available with interventional medicine, each with a different level of intrusiveness and suited to your unique pain management requirements. Typical procedures Dr. Shah and his team provide include:
- Injections
Whether you want an epidural steroid, trigger point, or facet joint injections, Dr. Shah can help. Every injection relieves discomfort in a separate area and often involves a steroid and numbing agent.
- Infusions
Infusions are injected directly into your body, often for lasting relief. Intrathecal infusions go straight to the brain, while epidural infusions go straight to the spine.
- Nerve Blocks
Nerve blocks, also known as numbing drugs, alleviate discomfort in various body regions. From diagnostic and preventative nerve blocks to rehabilitative nerve blocks, various forms of nerve blocks serve different sections of the body. The intrusiveness of your nerve blocks varies greatly and is typically determined by your demands.
- Spinal Cord Stimulation
The power of your brain to detect pain is suppressed by spinal cord stimulation. This therapy entails using a generator and electrical leads to transmit electrical impulses to your spine to inhibit pain receptors.
- Peripheral Nerve Manipulation
Peripheral nerve stimulation works in a similar fashion to spinal cord stimulation, except it is focused on specific areas of the body where you are experiencing pain. Electrical leads are also used, and the procedure is similar to spinal cord stimulation.
- Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation is commonly used to address arthritis-related discomfort in the knees, neck, and lower back. This procedure uses radio waves to generate an electrical current that heats nerve tissue and inhibits pain receptors.
What Can Interventional Medicine Do For You?
Regardless of the pain you are experiencing, and where it is emancipating from, one or more of the procedures listed above can help. During your appointment, Dr. Shah evaluates your discomfort, informs you about the care options available, and then works with you to develop the best treatment solution.
Some interventional pain management techniques are only temporary; hence, you may need repeated procedures to enjoy the relief you want. On the other end, some procedures offer more lasting relief but are often more intrusive. What’s more, by resorting to interventional medicine, you can avoid the worries and complications associated with surgery.
Now that you understand all that interventional pain management involves, it is time to get rid of your pain and restore your life quality. At Samwell Institute for Pain Management, you will access expert diagnosis and a plethora of cutting-edge treatments, all tailored to meet your unique concerns. Call the Livingston or Colonia, NJ office or use the online booking tool to schedule an initial consultation today.
