Other Treatment
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
TENS uses low-voltage electrical currents applied through electrodes taped to the skin. This may keep pain signals from reaching the brain.
Injections
Nerve Blocks
An anesthetic is injected to numb nerves in the painful area.
Trigger Point Injections
An anesthetic is injected into painful knots of muscle, normally in the back, neck or shoulder.
Epidural Steroid Injections
Steroids are injected into the space just outside the spinal cord. This relieves pain and inflammation.
Corticosteroid Injections
Corticosteroids may be injected into painful joints two to three times a year to help relieve arthritis pain.
Other Procedures
Spinal Stimulation
An implanted electronic device sends signals to the spine. It may help block pain by replacing it with a more pleasant feeling.
Implanted Spinal Pump
This implanted pump contains pain medication. You control the does within a range set by your doctor.
Neurotomy
Heat, cold, or chemicals are used to destroy nerves near a painful area. This prevents some pain signals from traveling to the brain.