NON-SURGICAL CARE

Conservative Treatments
NeuroSpine Surgical Consultants is primarily surgical practice. However, our practitioners often see patients in which surgical intervention is not the best initial treatment option. In these circumstances, various conservative treatment alternatives are available to our patients through referrals. These options include, but are not limited to, physical therapy and/or involvement in a pain management program. Our surgeons firmly believe that surgery should always be a last resort after all other treatment options have been exhausted, unless your particular condition warrants more prompt intervention.

Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy is often an effective initial treatment option for patients suffering from neck or back pain. Physical therapists are licensed professionals who specialize in the "hands-on" treatment of pain relief and rehabilitation. They examine each individual and develop a plan using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, decrease swelling, restore function, and prevent disability. Physical therapy encompasses a wide variety of services including range of motion exercises and strengthening exercises, as well. In addition, PTs work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs by developing fitness and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles. The practitioners at NeuroSpine Surgical Consultants utilize numerous facilities in the area, all of which have excellent spine therapy programs and work in conjunction with our staff to maximize the results you obtain.

Pain Management Program
Pain is an extremely complex and misunderstood issue. Thus, our practice relies heavily on local pain management physicians for their assistance in our patients’ preoperative and postoperative pain management needs. In general, pain management specialists are either board certified anesthesiologists or pain management & rehabilitation physicians who dedicate their practice to focus on modalities to decrease a patient's pain level and increase their quality of life.

In addition to traditional prescriptive therapy, pain management physicians offer their patients an array of additional treatment options. The most commonly performed procedures for patients with spinal disorders include epidural steroid injections and facet injections.

Steroid Injections
Epidural steroid injections and facet injections are often given in a series of three and may be repeated every six months. They are a common treatment option for many forms of low back pain and leg pain. These injections are performed under the guidance of specialized x-ray equipment (fluoroscopy) to assure that the painful segment is localized. Once the target location has been verified, a small amount of corticosteroid is injected into the region. These procedures are most commonly performed using local and/or conscious sedation. The goal of the injection is pain relief; at times the injection alone is sufficient to provide relief, addition to the low back (the lumbar region), epidural steroid injections are used to ease pain experienced in the neck (cervical) region and in the mid spine (thoracic) region.