If you have bulging discs, pain management is probably a significant priority for you. Any pain can be debilitating, but back pain can be especially difficult to manage. It can affect a patient’s ability to work and even rest. Our experienced team at Right Path Pain and Spine Centers is proud to help our patients improve their comfort levels from our Davenport, FL, office.
How Can You Manage Pain From Bulging Discs?
A Discectomy
We offer a range of pain management options for bulging discs. One of them is a surgery known as a discectomy. If you have a herniated disc that’s putting pressure on your nerves, that can cause a range of painful symptoms. A discectomy will remove a portion of the herniated disc, which can help relieve that pressure and provide relief for the patient.
How Is the Surgery Done?
The approach to this treatment can vary depending on the patient’s needs. It can often be carried out as a microdiscectomy, which helps it be as minimally invasive as possible. In that case, a microscope can be used to view the damaged disc and surrounding nerves. This will allow high levels of precision and smaller incisions.
During the surgery, a small amount of bone material may be removed from the vertebra if needed. This slight adjustment can help us see the disc more clearly. That process is either called a laminectomy or a laminotomy.
Am I a Candidate for This Treatment?
This is a question we’ll only be able to answer after we’ve talked with you, and taken a look at your health needs. That said, many patients seek out this treatment as a way to improve the movement and function of their backs, and to decrease pain and feelings of pressure.
Patients who are good candidates often have back or leg pain that doesn’t respond to alternative treatments. They may also experience weakness due to the pressure on their nerves. If this weakness, leg pain, or loss of motion doesn’t get better after six weeks of alternative treatment, it might be time to consider surgery.
Stem Cell Therapy
We offer MSC therapy, also known as mesenchymal stem cell therapy. This can help reduce painful symptoms and improve joint mobility at the same time. We offer free consultations so we can walk you through the process, and discuss whether it could be a good fit for you.
Stem cell therapy represents a significant advancement in modern pain medicine. Stem cells are found throughout the body, hidden away in various tissues. These unique cells have the ability to renew themselves, and even change into different cell types. This gives them the powerful ability to repair areas such as:
- Tissues
- Tendons
- Ligaments
- Bone
- Cartilage
Can the Body Use Stem Cells on Its Own?
While stem cells are naturally occurring in the body, the body isn’t always able to deliver enough stem cells to the site of an injury. This is where we come in. By carefully harvesting stem cells from your bone marrow, we can concentrate them and apply them directly to the area of need.
What Can I Expect From Treatment?
This treatment doesn’t require any incisions, stitches, or a hospital stay. You can expect it to take between two to four hours of your time. The flexibility of this treatment allows it to be paired with other treatments as well, such as PRP injections. This can help “boost” the effectiveness.
The results from stem cell therapy should include improved mobility and comfort. It can help our patients comfortably resume their favorite activities.
What Does Stem Cell Therapy Treat?
Since stem cells themselves are very resourceful, they can be used to treat a wide range of conditions. Some of the issues stem cells can address include:
- Bulging discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Chronic lung disease
- Ligament injuries
- Multiple sclerosis
- Nerve injury
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
PRP Injections
PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, is another naturally-sourced treatment that can help relieve inflammation and provide pain relief. PRP is created from a sample of the patient’s blood, which is processed to separate the blood into various layers. This process concentrates a layer of blood that contains a high level of platelets, nutrients, and growth factors. The newly-created PRP can then be delivered directly to an area that could benefit from its powerful support and tissue-healing abilities.
PRP is often used for joint pain and various injuries. It’s even been used for cosmetic reasons, as it’s able to help regenerate skin cells and improve hair growth.
Epidural Steroid Injections
With this treatment, we’re able to deliver a steroid to the spine, which helps relieve inflammation and pain. During this time, we can also help diagnose your back pain with an anesthetic. This method helps us find where your pain is coming from.
Nerve Block Injections
This treatment can be used for the back, as well as facet joints, the face, knees, elbows, and more. Our extensive knowledge of the nervous system gives us the information we need to administer nerve-blocking treatment. This involves the introduction of a numbing solution to your nerve bundles. While an excellent pain management option, it’s also a great diagnostic tool.
Spinal Cord Stimulator
This treatment involves cutting-edge technology and helps “override” the pain signals from your nerves. Electrical leads can be placed along your spine, close to the areas where you are experiencing the most pain. A safe, painless flow of electricity will then be delivered to the area, which helps silence irritated nerves and provides relief. Basically, this treatment is able to “shut off” back pain.
When Should I Consider This Treatment?
This treatment may be considered if other options such as injections haven’t provided enough relief on their own. This treatment can actually be used with other treatments as well, to help improve the chances of success. It can help improve a patient’s ability to sleep and may decrease their dependence on pain medicine.
How Does It Work?
There will be a trial period in which we will test the treatment for you and adjust it as needed. Then we’ll be able to implant the device.
Spinal cord stimulators have three main parts. The electrodes are thin wires that are placed between the vertebrae and the spinal cord using highly specialized imaging equipment. A small generator, similar to a pacemaker, is placed under the skin. Finally, there’s a remote. When patients feel pain, they’ll be able to use the remote to send impulses and “cancel” the pain signals.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is one of the most important tools available to help patients manage pain from bulging discs. Physical therapists can craft a personalized treatment plan with you. This will help you move, stretch, and exercise in ways that protect your back, improve posture, and manage pain levels.
Many patients with herniated discs find physical therapy central in their journey to heal and improve their symptoms. It can give you the knowledge and tools you need to help prevent or lessen future back and neck pain. Physical therapy is almost always a good idea when it comes to herniated discs, and will often be recommended along with other pain management treatments. Attending physical therapy can make a big difference in how quickly you’re able to recover.
Why Can’t I Do This on My Own?
Physical therapists will be able to show you how to stretch and exercise safely. You will learn techniques that you’ll be able to apply at home. These techniques are important, as patients who have injuries may risk hurting themselves further if they stretch or exercise in a way that accidentally aggravates their condition.
Exercising safely, however, can strengthen your spinal muscles. This can help lessen the pressure on your discs, prevent future issues, and ease your pain.
What Can I Do on My Own?
There are some things you can start right away to help relieve pressure if you have herniated discs. As you wait for treatment and personalized advice, we recommend avoiding high heels. Don’t stand or sit for long periods of time, and avoid sleeping on your stomach. While lifting, try to keep your back straight. Repetitive reaching or bending can be harmful, so avoid that if you can. Good posture can also be very helpful.
Learn More About Your Pain Management Options
Reading about different pain management options can be helpful, but an in-person consultation is the best way to explore which treatments may be a good fit for your needs. Our team will go over your symptoms and condition as we help guide you along your welfare journey. Reach out to us at Right Path Pain and Spine Centers in Davenport, FL, today to schedule your consultation.
