Back pain affects most people at some time in their lifetime — sometimes mild and temporary to disabling. Most causes of back pain can be treated non-invasively, although there are some instances where surgery may be required.
The lumbar spine works best when all the structures are working together: the disc between each vertebra, the articulating joints facet joints and the muscles. In most instances, back or neck pain starts when one of the above structures cannot handle the load/stress of daily activity. Most people tend to ignore the early signs of trouble and by the time they seek medical help all three structures (disc, facet joint, muscle) are involved.
If the disc is the main cause of the problem, intra-disc injection to “rejuvenate” can be done with one of the new biological substances (Wharton’s Jelly, to mesenchymal stem cells, exosome and others). Since 2012, these injections have proven to provide relief. The disc has very little blood supply so when injections are made into the disc, hyperbaric oxygen may need to be added to help these biologics survive.
If the facet joints are the main cause of back/neck pain after identifying which ones they can be treated with radiofrequency ablation or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from your own body.
If the paraspinal muscles are involved then regenerative injection like PRP, prolotherapy, class IV robotic laser therapy, shock therapy and physical therapy are done.
In addition to identifying the structures responsible for the back/neck pain, it is necessary to determine if there is underlying inflammation or muscle wasting responsible for accelerated degeneration of the spine. Labs can be useful to determine some of these issues. Addressing these issues will help the spine be able to handle more stress/activity and arrest or slow down the aging of the spine.
At New Life Medical Group, we take a comprehensive approach to help patients get the most of their spine and body. Injections of the disc require expertise; in the state of Tennessee, only certain specialties are allowed to perform them. Dr. Schmidt has been performing these procedures for decades using fluoroscopy or ultrasound and by combining treatments and protocols has been able to help a lot of patients with back and neck pain.
Intra-Disc Injection — Wharton's Jelly, Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Exosome
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
Radiofrequency Ablation
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
Prolotherapy
Class IV Robotic Laser Therapy
Shock Therapy
Physical Therapy
HBOT, is a type of treatment used to speed up healing of carbon monoxide poisoning, gangrene, stubborn wounds, and infections in which tissues are starved for oxygen.
Stem cells are cells with the potential to develop into many different types of cells in the body. They serve as a repair system for the body.
The Multiwave Locked System® (MLS) is a unique type of Class IV laser technology that utilizes a patented emission system to precisely synchronize simultaneous wavelengths to ease pain, reduce inflammation, and stimulate wound healing with optimal clinical effectiveness.
Hormone Therapy is recommended for people who experience perimenopause with symptoms that negatively affect quality of life.