New Jersey Pain Management

Reclaim control of your daily life with a personalized, minimally invasive approach to chronic pain relief.

At Home Epidural Nerve Block

Pain Management in New Jersey

Persistent pain can impact every facet of your existence, from diminishing sleep quality to limiting social engagement and preventing you from staying physically active. That's why Dr. Jonathan Stieber, a fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon, has curated a team of top specialists who excel in providing non-invasive or minimally invasive solutions aimed at reducing pain and boosting quality of life.

We invite you to contact our Englewood practice to learn more about how Dr. Stieber's approach to pain management in NJ can ease your discomfort and help you return to a more active lifestyle.

What Is Pain Management?

Pain management is a comprehensive strategy for assessing, diagnosing, and treating both acute and chronic pain. By combining various treatment techniques—ranging from interventional procedures and medication optimization to physical therapy and therapeutic injections—our goal is to not only lessen discomfort in the short term, but also address its root causes.

Effective pain management in New Jersey emphasizes improving day-to-day functioning, restoring mobility, and empowering patients to take part in their own care. Each individualized plan is created with the intention of maximizing comfort, nurturing emotional well-being, and strengthening the capacity to engage in normal routines.

What Back Pain Treatments Are Available?

Discography

Discography is a specialized diagnostic test aimed at pinpointing which intervertebral discs may be causing persistent lower back, groin, hip, or leg pain. After disinfecting the skin, a needle is inserted under live X-ray (fluoroscopy), and contrast dye is injected into particular discs. By pressurizing those discs, your specialist can identify the exact source of pain, thus guiding a targeted treatment plan, including surgery if necessary.

Discography Procedure

Using fluoroscopic imaging to visualize the spine, local anesthetic is first administered to numb the skin and surrounding tissue. A thin needle is then positioned into the center of a disc, and contrast dye is injected. If the patient's familiar pain is reproduced, it indicates that disc is a key contributor to the issue. The entire procedure typically takes 30 to 45 minutes, after which a post-discography CT scan offers more detailed images of the disc's condition.

Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI): Cervical, Lumbar, and Thoracic

Epidural steroid injections (ESIs) are a frequently used technique to combat nerve inflammation from spinal narrowing or disc problems. Guided by X-ray, a specially formulated steroid solution is carefully introduced into the epidural space around the spine. In some instances, a local anesthetic is also included to help mitigate discomfort. Common variations of ESIs include:

Laminar ESI: Targets inflamed nerves in the lower back, often beneficial for disc herniations or spinal stenosis
Caudal: Administered at the end of the spine (sacral hiatus) to address leg and lower back pain tied to sciatica, bone spurs, or herniated discs
Transforaminal: Also referred to as a “nerve block,” it delivers medication near the nerve's exit point from the spinal column, enabling a concentrated effect within the epidural space

How Is an Epidural Steroid Injection Performed?

After numbing the region with local anesthetic, a needle is advanced into the epidural space using fluoroscopic guidance. A contrast dye confirms correct placement, and then steroid medication is gradually injected. Patients usually rest briefly under observation before heading home, frequently noting reduced inflammation and better mobility in subsequent days.

Facet Injections: Cervical, Lumbar, and Thoracic

Facet joints enable you to twist, bend, and rotate. If these joints become inflamed or arthritic, they can cause persistent pain in the neck or back. Facet injections involve delivering local anesthetic and sometimes a corticosteroid directly into or near the joint to alleviate discomfort and enhance motion.

Intra-articular: Medication is injected right into the facet joint
Diagnostic: An anesthetic is administered around the facet joint to confirm whether it's the source of pain
Radiofrequency Ablation: If diagnostic injections show that the facet joint is indeed generating pain, radiofrequency ablation can be employed to dampen pain signals by heating specific nerves

Facet Injection Procedure

Local anesthetic first numbs the skin, followed by a small needle inserted via fluoroscopic guidance into the facet joint or near the targeted nerve. The procedure takes 10 to 30 minutes, with minimal downtime.

Schedule a Consultation

What Leg, Buttock, and Hip Pain Treatments Are Available?

Sacroiliac Joint Injections

The sacroiliac (SI) joint links the sacrum (at the base of the spine) to the iliac portion of the pelvis. When injured or inflamed, it can cause lower back or leg pain. Sacroiliac joint injections can be diagnostic—helping confirm the SI joint as the source of discomfort—or therapeutic, delivering steroids to reduce inflammation.

How Are These Injections Performed?

After sterilizing and numbing the area, a needle is guided into the SI joint using X-ray imaging. Contrast dye confirms correct placement before the steroid is injected.

Piriformis Injections

Situated at the back of the pelvis, the piriformis muscle can aggravate or compress the sciatic nerve, triggering leg or foot numbness or pain. Injections containing cortisone and local anesthetic aim to relax the muscle, reduce inflammation, and pinpoint if the piriformis is the cause of your symptoms.

How Are Piriformis Injections Performed?

Under fluoroscopy, a small needle is accurately placed into the piriformis, where anesthetic and steroid are administered. The entire treatment usually finishes within 10 minutes.

Lumbar Sympathetic Blocks

These specialized injections target the sympathetic nerves in the lower spine to relieve leg or lower back pain from conditions like Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), peripheral neuropathy, or poor circulation. By blocking pain signals at their origin, a lumbar sympathetic block can help ease throbbing, burning, or tingling sensations.

Lumbar Sympathetic Block Procedure

After numbing the skin, a thin needle is guided to the outside of the spine using live X-ray. Once positioned, a mixture of steroid and anesthetic is injected to interrupt pain transmissions. Temporary numbness or heaviness in the leg may occur but usually subsides relatively quickly.

Hip Injections

When degenerative changes or inflammation in the hip joint lead to persistent discomfort, a steroid injection may be used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. This injection can clarify the role of the hip in your pain while also delivering relief if arthritis or bursitis is present.

How Is a Hip Injection Procedure Performed?

Using real-time imaging for precision, a combination of local anesthetic and steroid is introduced into the hip joint, aiming to curb pain and facilitate smoother movement.

What Muscle Pain, Nerve Pain, and Inflammation Treatments Are Available?

Trigger Point Injections

Overly tense or knotted muscles can radiate pain to other parts of the body. Injecting a local anesthetic and medication into these “trigger points” can lessen inflammation, normalize blood flow, and foster healing.

What Is the Trigger Point Injection Procedure?

Once the skin is cleansed, a small needle delivers the anesthetic-medication blend directly to the tight muscle region. The entire session often ends in a few minutes, with minimal downtime.

Bursa Injections

Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that lubricate the motion of muscles against bones. When they become inflamed—commonly seen in bursitis—symptoms often include achiness and limited range of motion. Bursa injections reduce swelling, frequently easing pain related to arthritis or other inflammatory conditions around the hip.

Bursa Injection Procedure

Following a topical anesthetic, fluoroscopy aids accurate needle placement. The steroid and anesthetic medication are administered, and the procedure typically wraps up within 10 to 15 minutes.

Stellate Ganglion Blocks

The stellate ganglion, located near the lower vertebrae of the neck, can trigger persistent pain when damaged by trauma or disease. By injecting anesthetic near these sympathetic nerves, the release of pain-inducing chemicals is reduced, often alleviating chronic discomfort in the arms or upper body.

Stellate Ganglion Block Procedure

Mild IV sedation is provided for comfort. The patient's neck is sterilized, and X-ray guidance helps Dr. Stieber precisely place the needle and deliver medication to the stellate ganglion. The process usually takes about half an hour, followed by a brief monitored recovery.

Spinal Cord Stimulation

For patients whose chronic pain doesn't respond to other strategies, a spinal cord stimulator implanted in the upper buttock can deliver mild electrical pulses to the spinal cord. This technique modifies pain signals before they reach the brain, diminishing the intensity of chronic back, arm, or leg pain.

IV Sedation

Many of these procedures can be performed with optional IV sedation, which can be discussed during your consultation if you have concerns about pain or anxiety.

Why Choose Dr. Stieber for Pain Management in New Jersey?

Selecting Dr. Jonathan Stieber for your pain management in NJ means placing your care in the hands of a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon acknowledged for his expertise and dedication to patient well-being.

Backed by over 18 years of experience and numerous accolades—including recognition from both Castle Connolly and New York Magazine—Dr. Stieber has built a reputation for excellence in patient outcomes.

We encourage you to get in touch with our Englewood office for more details about the treatment options available and to schedule a consultation to begin your path toward lasting pain relief.

Pain Management Frequently Asked Questions

Call our office today to learn more about pain management in New Jersey and begin your journey toward a life with less pain.

What conditions can benefit from pain management?

Many chronic conditions—like persistent back pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, or migraines—improve with a coordinated pain management plan.

What are the goals of pain management treatment?

Primary objectives include reducing pain levels, improving physical function, and helping patients actively engage in daily life while minimizing reliance on medications.

What types of pain management treatments are available?

Treatments can include interventional procedures (like injections or ablation), medication management, physical therapy, and even integrative approaches like acupuncture or counseling.

How can pain management help improve daily functioning?

By controlling pain and addressing its underlying causes, patients often see better mobility, higher energy levels, and increased participation in routine tasks.

What role does medication management play in pain management?

Appropriate use of medications can alleviate discomfort while minimizing side effects and addiction risks, especially when combined with other non-pharmacological therapies.

How can interventional procedures help manage pain?

Techniques like epidural injections, nerve blocks, or radiofrequency ablation focus on specific pain generators, offering more direct, sustained relief.

What are the benefits of physical therapy in pain management?

Physical therapy addresses muscular imbalances, stiffness, and movement patterns, reducing stress on vulnerable areas and enhancing overall function.

Can psychological counseling be beneficial for pain management?

Yes. Counseling helps individuals adopt coping strategies, deal with stress, and reduce the emotional toll of living with ongoing pain.

How can lifestyle modifications contribute to pain management?

Adopting healthy habits like exercise, nutritious eating, and stress reduction fosters better overall health, which can significantly influence pain perception.

How can I determine the best approach for managing my pain?

Guided by Dr. Stieber's expertise, our specialized team will perform a thorough evaluation and craft a personalized plan that targets your unique needs. We're dedicated to combining compassionate care with advanced treatments, ensuring you have every opportunity for improved comfort and functionality.