Structures forming the posterior part of the spine are responsible for most traumatic back pains. Each of these post-traumatic conditions can cause a painful set of symptoms that disrupt the patient’s ability to function normally and affect their quality of life.
Proper therapeutic management is different for each person. Prolonged pain can lead some patients, who desperately desire relief, to make hasty decisions regarding the course of treatment or pain management methods without proper diagnosis. There are also those who, despite the pain, continue normal activities until late complications and irreversible deficits occur.
Interventional pain management is a medical specialty that focuses on invasive techniques and technologies. These state-of-the-art techniques are usually minimally invasive, most often utilizing needles and cannulas to treat structural abnormalities to relieve pain. Due to advances in technology and medicine, many problems that previously required surgery can now be performed using minimally invasive pain management techniques.
And although some patients still require major surgical intervention and must be referred for consultation with a neurosurgeon – most patients will achieve radical pain improvement without major surgery.
Dr. Nasiek prides himself on treating each patient individually. Most patients suffer from numerous pain generators, meaning pain is caused by pathological changes located in multiple places. Treatment algorithms are not the same for all patients. Often, a suitable algorithm for one patient is not good for another patient with similar ailments. Not all procedures and medications work on all patients in the same way. When establishing an appropriate treatment plan, the doctor must consider the patient’s needs and expectations, as well as clinical and diagnostic information.
When determining the etiology of pain, Dr. Nasiek relies on various imaging studies and tests, including MRI, CT SCAN, and EMG – these tests are performed in the office or referred to affiliated centers. However, a thoroughly collected medical history, also known as EPICRISIS, and a physical examination remain paramount. Only then, when all available sources are utilized, can we accurately identify the proper source of pain and formulate an appropriate, individualized treatment plan.
In most cases, a multidisciplinary approach will be used. For example, in the case of muscular neuralgia, physiotherapy, which reduces the patient and strengthens the back muscles, can be an important complement to oral, intramuscular medications, and minimally invasive pain management techniques.
Sometimes the patient will be referred for consultations with other specialists. In addition to close cooperation with other non-invasive disciplines, such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, and doctors specializing in acupuncture, Dr. Nasiek also collaborates with spinal surgeons. Spinal surgeries are performed by both orthopedic surgeons specializing in the spine and neurosurgeons. Dr. Nasiek assists in performing minimally invasive lumbar fusion procedures, endoscopic discectomies, laminectomies, etc. Dr. Nasiek performs these procedures himself where surgical intervention is not necessary.
