Back Pain Specialist

Why is back pain so common?

Year after year, back pain is a leading reason for days missed from work and visits to the doctor’s office. In fact, about 90% of adults in this country suffer from back pain at some point in their life. The back is a complex structure of muscles, ligaments, nerves, and 24 vertebrae separated by flat rubbery discs that provide cushioning between these small bones. Strain or injury to any of these components can cause back pain that is always uncomfortable and often debilitating.

Is surgery my only option for chronic back pain?

Absolutely not. Surgery is far from the only solution. In fact, many people will have better results from less invasive treatments like targeted injections (including trigger point injections, nerve blocks, corticosteroid injections into the facet joints, transforaminal epidurals, and translaminar epidurals).

For serious spine problems, Dr. Enayati or Dr. Gruver can provide highly advanced treatments such as epidural neurolysis of adhesions, neuromapping and neural flossing, and radiofrequency ablation.

One remarkable alternative to back surgery (specifically to treat discogenic pain) is a series of stem cell injections into the discs of the spine. This procedure is substantially less invasive than back surgery with fewer risks and complications, faster recovery, and a better record of success! Instead of a lumbar fusion or other seriously invasive back surgery that will never leave you feeling 100%, consider seeing Dr. Enayati or Dr. Gruver to discuss the targeted, effective, and less invasive treatments that could change your life.

“This study provides evidence of safety and feasibility in the nonsurgical treatment of [Degenerative Disc Disease] with autologous BMC and indicates an effect of mesenchymal cell concentration on discogenic pain reduction.”

Percutaneous injection of autologous bone marrow concentrate cells significantly reduces lumbar discogenic pain through 12 months. Stem Cells. 2015 Jan;33(1):146-56. doi: 10.1002/stem.1845.

I had back surgery but I am still in pain. Is there anything I can do to stop the pain?

Pain after back surgery is very common. So common that “failed back surgery” is a recognized medical condition. Dr. Enayati and Dr. Gruver are skilled at treating patients who continue to suffer from pain after they have back surgery. The precise treatment will depend on your exact ailment and the condition of your back after surgery, but one helpful treatment for some patients is implantation of a spinal cord stimulator.