5 Non-Surgical Back Pain Treatments for Back Pain
Back pain can bring your daily life to a halt—but surgery isn’t always the solution. In fact, many patients in Bend, OR are finding relief through non-invasive, interventional treatments, including Non-Surgical Back Pain Treatments, that reduce pain, improve mobility, and help avoid lengthy recoveries.
Epidural Injections and Nerve Blocks:
These procedures involve delivering a combination of numbing medications—sometimes accompanied by anti-inflammatory steroids—near targeted nerves. By doing so, they temporarily “quiet” pain signals traveling from the affected area to the brain. This can offer significant relief, particularly for conditions causing inflammation or nerve irritation, such as herniated discs or sciatica. While the effects may be temporary, they often provide a crucial window during which other treatments, like physical therapy, can be more effective.
Radiofrequency Ablation:
Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive technique that utilizes controlled radio wave-generated heat to selectively disrupt the nerve fibers that transmit pain signals. Frequently used to treat chronic pain arising from spinal facet joints, our team also employs this advanced technology to address pain from newer anatomical targets such as the basivertebral nerve, particularly using the Intracept Procedure. By precisely targeting these pain pathways, long-term pain reduction can often be achieved without extensive surgery.
Spinal Cord Stimulation and Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (SCS & PNS):
These advanced treatments involve the placement of tiny electrodes near the spinal cord or around specific peripheral nerves. The implanted device emits mild electrical impulses that modify or block pain messages before they reach the brain. Patients control the stimulation themselves with a remote, finding the right balance to reduce their discomfort. This approach can be a game-changer for those with chronic pain who have found little relief from other therapies.
Kyphoplasty:
Kyphoplasty is a specialized, minimally invasive procedure designed to rapidly treat vertebral compression fractures, which most commonly result from osteoporosis or cancer affecting the spine. The procedure stabilizes the fractured vertebra and restores some lost height using a special bone cement. Quick intervention is important to relieve severe pain, restore mobility, and help prevent serious secondary complications such as pneumonia, blood clots, or worsening overall health due to immobility.
Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD):
MILD procedures are outpatient treatments specifically aimed at alleviating lumbar spinal stenosis—a condition where the spinal canal narrows and compresses nerves in the lower back. Our interventionalists are specially trained to perform these procedures, which are designed to quickly relieve pain and restore function. Compared to open surgery, the minimally invasive approach reduces downtime and helps patients resume their daily activities far sooner.
Sacroiliac Joint Fusion:
Chronic instability or dysfunction of the sacroiliac (SI) joint—which connects the lower spine to the pelvis—can be a persistent source of lower back and buttock pain. Sacroiliac joint fusion provides permanent stabilization by fusing the joint, eliminating abnormal movement and its associated discomfort. Our team is proficient in both lateral and posterior minimally invasive techniques, allowing us to tailor the treatment to your needs and significantly improve quality of life for those suffering from persistent SI joint pain.
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Every patient’s situation is unique. At our Bend, OR clinic, we specialize in identifying the root cause of your pain and recommending the least invasive, most effective treatment plan possible. Learn more about our Interventional Orthopedics and Spine Care options and schedule your consultation today.