What is nerve burning?
Nerve burning is a medical procedure that uses heat to generate specific responses from the peripheral nervous system. It is often used to treat chronic pain, diagnose the source of the pain, and assess nerve functioning. Nerve burning is a safe and effective way to treat various painful conditions.
Nerve burning is a lesioning of certain sites in the peripheral nervous system. It is also known as radiofrequency ablation and is typically used in conjunction with imaging studies. During the procedure, a needle is inserted into the skin and guided with an image guidance system to reach the exact nerve to be burned. Heat is then applied with an electrode or a laser to burn a certain amount of the nerve without damaging the surrounding tissue.
Once the nerve is burned, the site is monitored to determine if the procedure was successful. If you report relief from the pain after some time, the nerve burning may be considered a successful treatment. Nerve burning can be beneficial in treating chronic pain in areas such as the back and neck since it does not require surgery or pain medications. Although nerve burning may sound painful, the procedure is quite comfortable.
Nerve burning does not produce pain upon application; you may feel a tingling or a pressure sensation. In most cases, nerve burning is complete within 15 minutes, although more complex procedures may take up to an hour. Nerve burning is a safe and effective way to treat various painful conditions. However, it is best performed by an experienced back pain doctor who can accurately identify and target the correct nerve.
New Jersey Back Center is a group of state-of-the-art back centers led by board-certified back pain doctors who can diagnose and treat the root cause of chronic back pain. Our back centers in New Jersey are in Woodland Park, West Orange, Paramus, or Clifton. If you’re in or around Clifton, visit our back center at 1117 US-46, Suite 205, just past the Ford dealership on route 46-E. Please schedule an appointment to explore your back pain treatments.
What are the pros and cons of nerve burning?
Nerve burning is a medical procedure that alleviates certain chronic nerve pain. It involves burning a nerve to prevent it from sending pain signals to the brain. Despite the potential benefits of nerve burning, there are also potential risks and side effects. Below are some of the pros and cons of nerve burning.
Pros of Nerve Burning
One of the biggest benefits of nerve burning is chronic, nerve-related pain reduction. Many individuals who suffer from pain associated with sciatica or trigeminal neuralgia may find relief from nerve burning. While results are not guaranteed, some people have reported long-term pain relief after radiofrequency ablation. Nerve burning is a minimally invasive procedure, so you don’t need to stay in the hospital overnight. Instead, the procedure can be performed in the back pain doctor’s office in less than an hour with local anesthesia.
Cons of Nerve Burning
The potential risks of nerve burning include bleeding, infection, and nerve damage. Additionally, nerve burning is associated with postoperative pain, whether transient or long-term. This is due to the injury caused by the burning of the nerve. Nerve burning is not a cure-all, and results may vary from person to person. In some cases, the procedure may only provide temporary relief from the pain. Even if the nerve burning is effective, the pain may return if the underlying condition that caused the pain is not treated.
Ultimately, nerve burning is a decision that should be made between a patient and their back pain doctor. Before the procedure, you should discuss any concerns or questions to make an informed decision. Furthermore, you must work with highly skilled, board-certified interventional back pain specialists who can accurately identify and target inflamed nerves to prevent unwanted side effects and complications. Working with a skilled back pain doctor can avoid most of the risks of nerve burning.
What are other minimally invasive treatments for chronic back pain?
It’s no secret that chronic back pain can be incredibly difficult to treat. Minimally invasive treatments may be the answer if you’re looking for alternatives to prescription medications and surgery. Radiofrequency ablation, also known as nerve burning, is an effective treatment for back pain, but it’s not the only one. Let’s discuss some of the most common minimally invasive treatments for chronic back pain.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs contain medications, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and celecoxib, that can help reduce inflammation and relieve inflammation. This treatment is often used as the first line of defense against chronic back pain and may be enough to alleviate discomfort and reduce inflammation. Sometimes, a doctor may also prescribe a muscle relaxant or a nerve medication to help reduce pain.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can also be a great way to reduce chronic back pain. Stretches, strengthening exercises, and targeted massage can help to reduce tension in the muscles and improve mobility. Physical therapy can also help teach you how to maintain good posture and use correct body mechanics to avoid further stress or tension in the back.
Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections
Lumbar epidural steroid injections may be recommended if the other treatments are not providing relief or if you are dealing with a particularly painful episode. In this treatment, a steroid is injected directly into the spine’s epidural space. This helps to reduce inflammation and provide temporary pain relief. In some cases, temporary sciatica nerve blocks may also be used to diagnose the source of the pain.
Overall, there are several different treatments available for chronic back pain. The best course of action depends on the nature and severity of your symptoms. Consult your back pain doctor and find the best treatment for your needs.