Relieving Your
By Casey W. Muir, MD
Neck and Back Pain Is back pain keeping you from doing things you enjoy? You’re not alone, and there are solutions. Back pain is one of the most common chronic pain issues. Chronic pain is a term to describe pain that is present for longer than six months. Many factors contribute to chronic back pain, but arthritis of the spine (spondylosis) is a very common cause. One of the most effective treatments of arthritis of the spine, including the neck and low back, is a minimally invasive procedure called Radiofrequency Ablation. This procedure can improve arthritis back pain and get you back to doing the things you enjoy. Conservative treatments for back pain are tried before Radiofrequency Ablation. There is a common saying in sports that “the best defense is a good offense.” Arthritis develops in everyone over time, but regular stretching and strengthening of back muscles can help support the spine to keep it as healthy as possible. There are many free online resources for spine stretches and exercises. One example found on the internet is Mayo Clinic’s “Back Exercises in 15 Minutes a Day.” For those who want guidance or are beginning to notice more significant pain, physical therapists help to find and establish individualized exercises for your needs.
About the Author Dr. Casey Muir attended the University of Nevada School of Medicine. He did his residency training in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he also completed a pain medicine fellowship. He served as Chief Resident during his final year of residency. Dr. Muir is dedicated to providing compassionate care to his patients and helping them maximize their quality of life. He uses his extensive training to treat acute and chronic pain conditions. When he is not working, Dr. Muir enjoys being with his wife and three daughters. He loves being outdoors and especially enjoys golf, soccer, and snowboarding.
20 www.saintgeorgewellness.com
Pain in the neck or back that persists despite appropriate physical therapy can still have answers. Arthritis pain in the spine commonly comes from facet (zygapophyseal) joints that are present between each of the many individual vertebrae (bones) that form the spine. There is a small nerve (the medial branch of the dorsal rami) that sends the pain signal to your brain when these small joints hurt. Many research studies have proven that by targeting these small nerves, the pain signal from arthritic joints can be stopped, relieving the pain. This is initially done with a local numbing medication that temporarily blocks that pain signal, showing how much of your pain comes from arthritic facet joints. If temporary numbing helps your pain, Radiofrequency Ablation is performed to provide lasting relief.
Radiofrequency Ablation is an outpatient procedure with light sedation. Using x-ray guidance, a special needle is placed along the small nerve that sends the pain signal from the facet joints. The tip of the needle heats up the surrounding tissue, burning the nerve that sends the signal from the arthritic joints. The nerve then can’t send the pain signal, relieving your pain. The nerve eventually grows back, generally after about twelve months. Then the procedure can be repeated if the pain returns. This procedure has a very low complication rate and no significant recovery time.
There are many causes of neck and back pain, but pain from these small joints is common and has this effective and proven treatment option. This procedure can give the pain relief from spine arthritis to get you back to doing what you enjoy. To schedule an appointment with Southwest Spine & Pain Center, visit the website at www.swsp.com or call 435-656-2424.
