The Major Insurances That Cover Back Pain Injections
If you’re wondering ‘does insurance cover back pain injections?’ then we can help you. Our Ivy League doctors at the VIP Medical Group understand the difficulties experienced by patients who experience both chronic pain and back pain due to injury/other medical conditions. They also advocate having a consultation with a pain management physician to accurately assess and diagnose back pain problems. That’s why the VIP Medical Group accepts all major insurances, including medicare. The VIP Medical group is a non-participating provider with BCBS, Empire, Aetna, GHI, Cigna, BCBS Horizon, Oxford, United Healthcare and Magnacare. We will work with you to ensure you do not receive any surprise bills. You can always contact us by leaving your information and insurance details to schedule an appointment with one of our expert pain physicians.
Why Should I See A Pain Doctor?
Back pain can be debilitating and severely affect your quality of life. That’s why our Ivy League pain management physicians believe in the importance of seeking medical advice from a Board Certified pain doctor.
Pain doctors are leaders in the field of pain medicine and interventional pain management. They have access to the latest minimally invasive techniques in regenerative medicine to accurately assess, diagnose and target pain. Nowadays, many orthopedic surgeons are quick to suggest invasive and risky surgeries that require long recovery periods and the use of narcotics. It is no secret that the U.S. is currently facing an opioid epidemic. Research is also beginning to highlight the negative consequences of being on long-term pain medication.
The great news is that the VIP Medical Group offers the latest minimally invasive back pain injections to target pain and get you back to full health. Let’s take a look at some of the leading back pain treatments.
Epidural Steroid Injection
An epidural steroid injection is a popular and effective way to target back pain and leg pain. It can be completed in under 30 minutes and is highly effective.
During this procedure, the patient remains awake to provide feedback to the pain doctor. The patient lies face-down on the X-Ray table. The pain doctor then applies a local anesthetic to numb the area and increase comfort. This ensures the patient experiences minimal discomfort during the procedure. Next, the pain doctor uses a needle to get through the skin to the vertebrae and then further into the epidural space using a fluoroscope. The fluoroscope is an excellent X-Ray device that allows the pain doctor to guide the needle in real time. This ensures the steroid medicine is applied to the correct nerve root using high levels of accuracy. It is natural that the patient may feel a pressure sensation when this is being completed.
Some patients report immediate pain relief after this procedure. Other patients may need to return a couple of weeks later to feel the full benefit. An epidural steroid injection is a great way to receive same-day pain relief due to the successful application of anti-inflammatory steroid medicine directly into the epidural space.
Facet Joint Injections
Facet joint injections provide immediate pain relief and can be performed many times if necessary. This procedure is when a pain doctor injects local anesthetic into one or more of the vertebrae along the spine to target pain directly. Facet joint injections can also be used to help determine the causes of back pain.
During this procedure, the patient lies on their abdomen on the X-Ray table. A pain doctor will then insert needles along the spine using the X-Ray guidance system. After this, the pain doctor injects a local anesthetic into the joint nerves to provide immediate pain relief.
Facet joint injections are an excellent treatment choice because they are minimally invasive, target pain directly and can be completed in an hour. Patients can also have a few appointments with a pain doctor to have this procedure over a few occasions.
Why Do I Have Back Pain?
The human spine has a complex anatomy. The spine is composed of many different muscles, tissues, ligaments, bones, nerves and discs. When one of these becomes aggravated or is out of place, patients can feel a range of sensations. These sensations can range from a ‘pinched’ nerve feeling, to debilitating levels of lower lumbar pain.
Due to the multi-faceted nature of back pain, it is important you seek medical attention from a Board Certified pain doctor. Let’s take a look at some of the leading causes of back pain:
Lumbar Herniated Disc
Disc herniation can occur anywhere along the spine, however, it is most common in the lower back. Along the spine, there are discs that help to ensure spacing between each vertebrae. These discs have a tough outer layer and a soft, jelly-like interior. If a disc herniates, it can cause the jelly-like substance inside the disc to leak out, causing nerve pain which can sometimes be severe. Disc herniation is usually associated with wear and tear over time, however, it can also occur due to injury.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease occurs when age-related wear and tear of the spine causes the disc in the spine to break down or deteriorate. This can lead to an eventual disc herniation and disc rupturing.
Spondylothesis
Spondylothesis describes when a bone in the spine slips out of position. It is one of the most common causes of low back pain, but can also occur in the mid and upper spinal regions. It is not to be confused with disc herniation, which is when a disc slips out of place.
Spinal Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis affects the cartilage at the end of bones where bones meet to create a joint. As osteoarthritis progresses and gets worse, the cartilage on the bones breaks down. This means it is difficult for the bones to glide against one another due to the lack of a smooth, slippery cartilage surface. As a result, pain, soreness, stiffness and swelling occur at joints.
There are lots of reasons you might be struggling with back pain. That’s why it is important to consider visiting a Board Certified pain doctor. Pain doctors are leaders in the field of pain medicine and have access to the latest techniques that will get you back to full health with minimal risks.
At the VIP Medical Group, our pain doctors look beyond the issue that is causing you pain to establish important patient-doctor relationships. From the moment you step into our state-of-the-art facilities, you will be greeted by our helpful and friendly staff who will answer any concerns that you may have.