Spinal Pain Mapping

What is Pain Mapping

It is the advanced procedures are performed by highly qualified pain specialists. This is to pinpoint and then isolate the precise source of pain in neck and back. This provides nearly instantaneous, temporary pain relief that allows a spine surgeon to accurately establish the cause of the patient’s ongoing pain.

There are several different pain mapping procedures that can be performed, including:

  • Selective Nerve Root Blocks
  • Piriformis Injections
  • Occipital Nerve Blocks
  • Sciatic (Peripheral) Nerve Blocks
  • Sacroilac Joint Injections/Blocks
  • Cervical/Thoracic/Lumbar Medial Branch Blocks
  • Discography
  • And Many More

Advantages

  • Isolates specific source and location of the pain
  • Enables surgeons to treat specific area in least invasive way possible
  • Customized procedures based on each patients needs

How does it work?

The process may differ depending on which pain mapping procedure you’re undergoing, but will typically follow the following steps:

  • The physician will inject a luminescent medication into the back and then use an X-ray to pinpoint the exact nerves potentially associated with your discomfort. This process is called nerve blocking.
  • We can then apply a highly targeted dose of numbing medication to a suspected irritated nerve, which can significantly reduce or even eliminate pain stemming from the nerve in question. A steroid medication may be added to further reduce swelling or irritation around a compressed or pinched nerve.
  • Nerve root blocks are usually done in succession, one after the other, to determine exactly which nerves are causing your pain and then provide temporary relief to each.
  • The numbing medication typically wears off in a few hours, with the end goal being the ability to design a pinpointed, customized course of treatment to solve the root issues and lessen the pain.

Our Microspine team and Dr. T will gather all the data including as to whether you have any relief of the symptoms to determine the best next step for you.

Our focus on state-of-the-art minimally invasive options means that patients typically see shortened recovery times and the ability to return to their daily activities sooner than later.

REQUEST APPOINTMENT

If you are suffering from low-back pain, neck pain, herniated disc, sciatica, pinched nerve and have been researching minimally invasive spine surgery as well as laser spine surgery, schedule an appointment to speak to Dr. T and Microspine Team today.

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