Living with Pain is Not Living

VERTIFLEX PROCEDURE What is the Vertiflex Procedure? Vertiflex Procedure is a surgical treatment for moderate cases of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. It is a minimally invasive and stand-alone implant that is placed inside the spine to help prevent reduction of the space when standing or walking. This type of treatment is also known as an interspinous process decompression. It provides relief by lifting pressure off the nerves to alleviate leg and back pain symptoms that often accompany the condition. The spacer is a device that gives a durable, long-term relief of complaints of intermittent neurogenic claudication for individuals having moderate issue of lumbar spinal stenosis. The device or spacer is typically made of titanium alloy. Developed with patient safety and comfort in mind, this FDA-approved, outpatient treatment aims to give those with lumbar spinal stenosis the freedom to get on with their daily lives, as it offers a significant reduction in symptoms and improves physical func...

SACROILIAC JOINT BLOCK Sacroiliac joint block is also known as sacroiliac joint injections. They are injections of local anesthetic and a steroid medication used to treat or diagnose sciatica symptoms and low back pain linked with sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Where Is The Sacroiliac Joint? It is situated next to your spinal cord. It connects the sacrum (the large triangular bone at the base of the spine) with the hip bones on both sides. Any inflammation or infection at this joint will cause pain. When Is This Procedure Required? Sacroiliac joint block helps diagnose and treat lower back pain. Sometimes, the two may be separated, and a patient may undergo a diagnostic injection and then a therapeutic injection. Other times, the two injections are combined. If you experience pain in your sacroiliac joint(s), it means you need this procedure for: 1. Diagnosis: Diagnostic injections are used to detect the specific structural abnormality that is causing the symptoms of...

Medial Branch Block A medial branch block is an injection of a strong local anaesthetic on the medial branch nerves that supply the facet joints, and is often used as part of a two-step diagnostic process. If the patient experiences the appropriate amount of pain relief after the injection, then the facet joint is determined to be the primary source of pain and the patient can then be considered a candidate for a subsequent treatment that will provide longer term pain relief. The facet joints, also known as the zygapophysial joints, are part of the framework of the spine. They are small projections from one vertebra meeting with similar bony projections from the vertebra above or below. Sometimes, due to a variety of acute and chronic conditions, the facet joints can become inflamed. For lower back (lumbar) facet joints, the pattern of pain is usually an achiness in the low back, radiating across the lower back and slightly down the back of the buttocks and upper thighs. Usually, stand...

Why You Need an Osteoarthritis Program for Knee and Shoulder Pain by Robert J Brownsberger, MD; Dorian Lange PharmD, of Northern Arizona Pain Institutes A revolutionary new, nonsurgical treatment called viscosupplementation therapy is providing hope and relief for many knee- and shoulder-pain sufferers.  Viscosupplementation therapy is a procedure involving the injection of gel-like substances (hyaluronates) into a joint to supplement the viscous properties of synovial fluid. This procedure has been shown to be 86 percent successful in alleviating pain associated with osteoarthritis and is covered by most major medical insurance providers and Medicare.   Viscosupplementation therapy with hyaluronic acid (Supartz) for osteoarthritis of the shoulder. We offer this minimally invasive procedure that requires no surgery, can provide immediate results, and has little-to-no recovery time. Why Our Program is So Successful At our clinic, we offer a unique approa...

Northern Arizona Pain Institutes Introduces New Licensed Acupuncturist to Treat Pain & Other Symptoms Meet Northern Arizona Pain Institutes’ Acupuncturist, Tiberiu Fulop Lac, however, his patients call him “Ted” for ease.  Ted is a Diplomate of Acupuncture and Licensed Acupuncturist that has recently moved to the Prescott area from Burridge, IL (the suburbs of Chicago). He is originally from the western part of Romania (Transylvania). Ted graduated Summa Cum Laude from Illinois Medical in 1991 with a specialty in Cardio Pulmonary. He has completed coursework and extensive clinical training in Acupuncture and oriental medicine from the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine as a diplomate. Ted is also licensed in Respiratory Therapy, by the National Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners and is a member of the National Hypnotherapist Guild. Ted offers a multi-dimensional approach providing a unique framework of health services. He began his career as an army m...

Knee pain is a very common complaint that affects people of all ages. Knee pain may be of different types and arise from a number of different causes. Knee pain can be caused by injuries, mechanical problems, types of arthritis and other problems. The location and severity of knee pain may vary depending on the cause of the problem. Some common causes of Knee pain include: It may be the result of an injury, such as a ruptured ligament or torn cartilage. Some of the more common knee injuries include:  An ACL injury is the tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), common in sports players and athletes. The bones of the knee, including the kneecap (patella), can be fractured during motor vehicle collisions or falls.  Dislocated kneecap occurs when the triangular bone (patella) that covers the front of your knee slips out of place.  When you have hip or foot pain, it may cause you to change the way you walk to spare these painful joints. But this alter...

Northern Arizona Pain Institutes’ Robert J. Brownsberger M.D. leads Pain Management Efforts in Prescott, Flagstaff and Show Low, Arizona We’ve all felt it: a twist here, a pull there, or a twinge when moving too quickly, too forcefully, or too awkwardly. This troubling pinch in the back, shoulder, neck, arm, or leg could progress toward a lengthening battle with debilitating pain. That’s when your primary care physician can refer you to Northern Arizona Pain Institutes (NAPI) to get your life back.       Leading pain management efforts at NAPI’s Prescott, Flagstaff and Show Low offices is Robert J. Brownsberger M.D., whose pioneering therapies reintroduce suffering patients to an activity-based lifestyle. Trained in physical medicine and rehabilitation, and board certified in pain medicine, Dr. Brownsberger realized during his medical residency 37 years ago that his professional talents would best serve patients besieged by chronic pain. “Pat...