Pain management doctors in South Bay

Whether you need pain relief from chronic back pain or migraines, we are here for you at Good Samaritan Hospital. Our pain management experts and anesthesiologists are trained to provide advanced therapeutic approaches, including anesthesia and epidural injections to help patients manage their pain levels.

To learn more about the pain management services we provide, call our Consult-A-Nurse® line at (888) 724-2362.

Pain management services

Patients at our hospital have access to our pain management services, so they can manage pain associated with surgery or a chronic condition. We offer many types of injections to help treat pain when other methods have proven unsuccessful.

Epidurals for back pain relief

If you experience back pain, an epidural injection may provide the pain relief you need. An epidural can help decrease inflammation associated with conditions, such as spinal stenosis, disc herniation or degenerative disc disease. The effects of an epidural injection tend to be temporary, lasting one week to a year.

Generally, a patient is limited to three epidural injections a year. Three may not always be necessary if one or two resolve your pain.

Benefits of epidural injections

For pain relief, injections can be more effective than an oral medication because they deliver medication directly to the location generating the pain. Typically, a steroid medication is injected to reduce inflammation and pain. It can also be used to help determine specifically which structure in the back is generating pain.

Sacroiliac (SI) joint block

SI joint blocks are injections primarily used to diagnose and treat low back pain associated with sacroiliac joint dysfunction. The SI joint lies next to the spine and connects the sacrum (bottom of the spine) with the pelvis (hip).

During an SI joint block injection, a physician uses fluoroscopic guidance (live X-ray) to insert a needle into the SI joint. Lidocaine (a numbing agent) and a steroid are then injected into the joint.

You may receive an SI joint block injection up to three times per year. For the treatment to be successful, the injection should be followed by physical therapy and/or chiropractic adjustments to help with range of motion and mobility.

Selective nerve root block (SNRB)

SNRBs are primarily used to determine the specific source of nerve root pain. It can also be used to treat low back pain or leg pain. It helps reduce inflammation around the nerve root.

Before the injection, a local anesthetic is used to numb the skin at the injection site. Once anesthesia has been administered, fluoroscopic guidance is used to precisely place the needle in the correct position for the injection. SNRBs are generally limited to three times a year.

Anesthesia services we offer

We always have at least one of our board-certified anesthesiologists on-site, so our patients have access to the care they need 24/7. Our anesthesiologists provide care in the following areas:

Anesthesiology services can help patients deal with chronic pain caused by:

  • Arthritis
  • Back injuries
  • Cancer
  • Complex regional pain syndrome
  • Incorrectly treated postoperative pain
  • Migraines
  • Neck injuries
  • Shingles
  • Spinal cord injuries

Our individualized approach

We work closely with surgeons, obstetricians and other staff to identify the safest, most effective anesthesia options for you during surgery. Anesthesiologists are also a valuable resource regarding postoperative pain management. They provide treatment options for patients experiencing chronic pain and help care for patients in our intensive care units (ICUs).