The Pain Clinic also offers other treatment procedures, including various nerve blocks. For information on other procedures not listed below, please contact the Pain Clinic at (615) 230-5089.

Epidurals

The epidural space surrounds the nerves as they exit the spinal cord. In some patients the nerves can be compressed and inflamed by a bulging disc or a tight spinal canal (spinal stenosis). At the Pain Clinic, we inject steroids into the epidural space to help reduce swelling and inflammation, which often leads to decreased pain. Epidural steroids may be injected anywhere along the spine, from the neck to the lower back depending upon the location of the pain. Conditions often treated by epidural steroids include:

If effective, we offer a series of three injections, two to three weeks apart to decrease pain. After the initial series, we generally wait at least three months before considering a repeat injection.

The Pain Clinic provides the following epidurals:

Herpes Zoster (Acute Shingles Pain)

Herpes zoster is a viral disease, also referred to as shingles, caused by the same virus as chicken pox. It usually begins with pain and paresthesias, followed a few days later with a blister-like rash.

Quicker treatment will decrease your chances of developing postherpetic neuralgia. The Pain Clinic treats herpes zoster by:

Postherpetic Neuralgia

Fifteen percent of those with herpes zoster (shingles) will develop postherpetic neuralgia, which is pain remaining after the shingles rash has healed. The duration of postherpetic neuralgia is unpredictable, lasting from months to sometimes years and is characterized by constant aching, burning pain and spontaneous episodes of sharp stabbing pain. There may also be decreased sensations to touch and temperature due to skin changes.

Postherpetic neuralgia may require frequent local infiltration and injections of the affected area. Results are best if the patient has experienced symptoms for less than a year.

Sacroiliac Joint Injections

The sacroiliac joint connects the low back and tailbone (sacrum) to the pelvic bone (ilium) which forms half of the hip joint. Normally, this joint experiences very little motion. When the joint becomes inflamed or unstable, low back and/or hip and pelvis pain may result. Injection of this joint with local anesthetics and steroids can provide diagnostic information and reduce pain. Indications that you may need sacroiliac joint injections include lower back, buttock, hip or leg pain.

Trigger Point Injections

Trigger points are the areas of muscle sensitive to touch and can cause pain with movement. Usually the muscle containing these trigger points feels like a tight band or knot. Reproduction of pain often occurs and local anesthetic with steroid is injected into the sore area. Muscle pain, muscle spasms, stiffness or nerve irritation are some of the common problems treated by trigger point injections.

Pain Clinic
555 Hartsville Pike
Gallatin, TN 37066
(615) 230-5089

Our staff includes:
Mark Carter, M.D. 
Rob Taylor, M.D.