65 million Americans suffer from back pain at any given time. Many people go through life thinking that having back pain is ‘normal’ and they just have to accept it. Severe back pain can cause problems for several days to months. Chronic back pain is defined as pain that carries on for more than three months or more. Back pain can result in discomfort, reduced quality of life and missed time from work.

One form of non-surgical treatment for chronic back pain are spinal injections. Read on to find out more about this procedure and how we can help you avoid spine surgery.

Common Causes of Low Back Pain

Most low back pain happens due to an injury. This could be a muscle sprain caused by sudden movements or poor body posture when lifting heavy objects.

This type of low back pain can also stem from certain diseases including:

Ruptured or herniated discs
Cervical spine disc pain
Slipped discs

Sciatica
Arthritis

The Benefits of Spine Injections

Spine specialists like Dr. Shounuck Patel, DO use spinal injections for patients with different types of spine and back pain. The aim of the injection is to help reduce pain as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation program that will help toward a more successful recovery. This treatment is useful for patients suffering from acute episodes of back pain because it lets patients carry on with stretching and exercise as part of their treatment plan, involves less risk of complications and requires little downtime.

Different Types of Injections

Dr. Shounuck Patel views spine injections as an integral part of non-surgical treatments for sciatica and low back pain.

Epidural Cortisone Injections

Epidural cortisone injections work on pain which begins at the spine. A doctor might carry these injections in an isolated nerve to alleviate the precise source of the pain. These spinal injections have been carried for many years and many physicians use them as an integral part of temporary relief for sciatica and lower back pain.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections

Ultrasound guidance is commonly used to inject PRP into the appropriate tendon, ligament or joint that is being targeted. Injections are performed under image guidance to assure precise placement of PRP. The number of injections varies based on each patient’s individualized condition but typically range anywhere from two to six injections done over time. Patients typically experience significant reduction in pain after the first or second injection.

Cell Therapy Injections

Why You Should Consider Spinal Injections in Los Angeles

Spinal injections work well to relieve pain in the neck and spine region. Dr. Patel is a spine specialize and uses ultrasound guided technology to inject PRP and cell therapy treatments director into the pain area to address the source of the pain.

Alternative therapies like oral steroids or painkillers will not have the same impact and may cause unwanted side effects. Complications from injections tend to be mild. They can include things like headaches and muscle weakness for a few days after the injection treatment.

Clinical trials indicate that up to 80% of patients experienced a better than 50% improvement in sciatica pain after spine injection treatment. Pain relief lasted an average of 3 months up to a year.

We’re There to Help You

Avoid spine surgery and get back to doing the things you love. Dr. Shounuck Patel, DO and his team at The Patel Center for Functional Regeneration are available to treat your spine and back pain issues. Contact our patient concierge to schedule a consultation today.