Medication: typically, we may harness the body’s potential to heal itself with the use of cortisone injections. Delivered via fine hair-like needles, which are guided with utmost precision using x-rays, cortisone is a hormone injected into the spine to deliver powerful anti-inflammatory and healing relief to the nerves, discs and joints. The patient is sedated under the care of our skilled anaesthetist to ensure the procedure is itself pain-free, and recovery rapid. Most patients are ready for discharge within an hour after their injections.

Orthodox therapies like Acupuncture: is the use needles inserted under the skin and in muscles to stimulate nerves. This action releases natural pain-relieving endorphins. Chinese in origin, acupuncture is based on a teaching that there are life forces, or meridians, that flow through the body. Needles are placed in key locations where these lie in the body.

Counselling and support from medical practitioners: some patients find it beneficial to talk through their experience of pain as this can help them regain some sense of control or perhaps to change their perspective of pain.

Physiotherapy or Chiropractic therapy: these involve the hands-on manipulation of the joints in the body. Physiotherapy uses movement and exercises to keep the joints and muscles supple. The latter involves realignment of the musculoskeletal frame to promote healing by way of restoring balance and posture. Both can reduce the risk of further deterioration and help restore physical health.

In a case where patients don’t respond to pain management as a treatment, we may carry out other tests to assess whether the source of pain is resulting from some problem other than in the spine. Depending on the results, we may try other options such as Ozone therapy, which can be more potent in bringing relief than cortisone, or as a last resort, surgery.