Nonsurgical Treatment Options

shutterstock_9031771_LR The spine is a masterpiece of design, absorbing nearly every bump, jolt and shock while also providing an incredible amount of agility and flexibility.

The spine has three natural curves: in the neck, upper back and lower back. These curves help absorb the impact of movement. The lower back bears most of the body's weight and is the most vulnerable to injury.

Managing Your Pain
The Pain Center at GW Hospital was established to help people living with acute, subacute or chronic pain, especially pain related to the total spine. The Center offers evaluation, treatment and follow-up for a wide range of pain conditions.

Treatment Options
Treatment options at the GW Pain Center include use of pain control medications, nerve blocks and stimulation techniques.

Nerve Blockades and Other Anesthesia Injections

Patients may be treated with any of several types of regional anesthetic techniques, including facet blocks, epidural blocks, trigger point injections, botulinum toxin injections, nerve blocks and neurolytic blocks. Some procedures may be performed under x-ray guidance.

Specific Pain Treatment Options: Injections

Stimulators and Implantable Devices

Patients may be treated by using implantable devices for pain control. These include dorsal column stimulators and implantable devices such as intrathecal pumps.

Specific Pain Treatment Options: Stimulators and Implants

Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a major component of rehabilitating chronic back and neck pain. The GW Outpatient Rehab Center, conveniently located next door to the Pain Management Center, provides comprehensive physical therapy. Physical therapy works to strengthen muscles, improve joint flexibility and range of motion and increase endurance through aerobic activities.

Interactive Spine Animations

Learn about nonsurgical and surgical spinal treatment options through interactive animations.

Schedule an Appointment

To schedule an appointment with the GW Spine Center, please call: 1-888-4GW-DOCS

Pain Treatment Options

Injections

Stimulators and Implants

Spine Center

Spine Center Main Page

Nonsurgical Treatment Options

Surgical Treatment Options

Spine Center Surgeons

Ask a Spine Question

May Lin Chin, MD

Co-director, GW Pain Center

Mehul J. Desai, MD, MPH

Co-director, GW Pain Center

Serious Pain Signals

Consult your physician immediately if you are experiencing any of the following:

Pain with no obvious cause
Pain that increases in severity or lasts more than three weeks
Pain associated with numbness or extreme weakness in an arm or leg
Pain unrelieved by rest
Pain for which you can find no comfortable position
Pain accompanied by sickness, fever, chills, sweats, loss of appetite, nausea, weight loss, kidney or bladder problems, constipation, diarrhea or incontinence

Note: The information on this Web site is provided as general health guidelines and may not be applicable to your particular health condition. Your individual health status and any required medical treatments can only be properly addressed by a professional healthcare provider of your choice. Remember: There is no adequate substitution for a personal consultation with your physician. Neither The George Washington University Hospital, or any of their affiliates, nor any contributors shall have any liability for the content or any errors or omissions in the information provided by this Web site.

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