Sponsored content by SEVA Healthcare
Top 5 Pain Procedures Doctors Recommend
When pills and physical therapy aren’t enough, these minimally invasive treatments are among the most widely used options in pain medicine — explained in plain English.
This article is general health information written by our editors from the sources listed below. It has not yet been medically reviewed — see our medical review policy. It is not advice for your situation.
If you’ve lived with back, neck or joint pain for a while, you’ve probably heard the same advice over and over: rest, take something for it, try physical therapy. For many people, that works.
But when it doesn’t, the next step is not necessarily surgery. Interventional pain medicine offers a range of minimally invasive procedures that target the source of pain directly — usually through a needle, often in under an hour, and typically with the patient going home the same day.
Here are five that pain specialists use widely, and what you should know about each.
1Epidural steroid injection (ESI)
What it is: An injection of anti-inflammatory medication (a corticosteroid, often with a numbing agent) into the epidural space — the area around the spinal nerves.
Who it may help: People with pain that radiates from the spine into an arm or leg, such as sciatica, often caused by a herniated disc or spinal stenosis.
What to expect: The procedure is done with imaging guidance and usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes. Some people notice relief within days; for others it takes longer, and how long relief lasts varies. ESIs are often used to calm inflammation enough for physical therapy to work.
Read more about epidural steroid injections on SEVApedia →
2Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
What it is: A procedure that uses heat from radio waves to interrupt the small nerves that carry pain signals from an irritated joint — most often the facet joints of the spine.
Who it may help: People with long-lasting neck or lower back pain from arthritis in the spine’s facet joints. It’s also used for some knee and sacroiliac (SI) joint pain.
What to expect: Doctors usually confirm the target first with diagnostic nerve blocks. If those bring clear relief, RFA may follow. Relief can last many months or longer, but nerves can regrow, so the procedure is sometimes repeated.
Read more about radiofrequency ablation on SEVApedia →
3Nerve blocks
What it is: An injection of numbing medication — sometimes with a steroid — near a specific nerve or group of nerves.
Who it may help: Nerve blocks do two jobs. As a diagnostic tool, they help pinpoint where pain is coming from (for example, medial branch blocks before RFA). As a treatment, they can relieve certain types of pain, such as occipital nerve blocks for some headaches.
What to expect: These are quick outpatient procedures. Relief from a diagnostic block may last only hours — that’s expected, and it gives your doctor valuable information.
Read more about nerve blocks on SEVApedia →
4Spinal cord stimulation (SCS)
What it is: A small implanted device that sends mild electrical pulses to the spinal cord, changing how pain signals reach the brain.
Who it may help: People with chronic pain that hasn’t responded to other treatments — for example, ongoing back or leg pain after spine surgery, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) or painful diabetic neuropathy.
What to expect: One of the biggest advantages of SCS is that you can try it first. A temporary trial typically lasts several days. If it meaningfully reduces your pain, a permanent system may be implanted in a minor outpatient procedure.
Read more about spinal cord stimulation on SEVApedia →
5Kyphoplasty
What it is: A procedure to treat painful compression fractures in the vertebrae (the bones of the spine). A small balloon is used to create space in the fractured bone, which is then filled with bone cement to stabilize it.
Who it may help: Most often, people with vertebral compression fractures caused by osteoporosis, and some fractures related to injury or cancer.
What to expect: Kyphoplasty is minimally invasive and many patients go home the same day. It aims to reduce fracture pain and stabilize the spine; your doctor will discuss whether it fits your situation and what results are realistic.
Read more about kyphoplasty on SEVApedia →
Frequently asked questions
Are pain procedures painful?
Most are done with local numbing medication, and some patients receive light sedation. Many people describe pressure or brief discomfort rather than significant pain. Soreness at the site for a few days is common.
Are these procedures covered by insurance?
Many are covered when they meet your plan’s criteria, but most require prior authorization. Coverage varies by plan, so our team can help you check before treatment.
Which procedure is right for me?
That depends on what’s causing your pain. A pain specialist will take your history, examine you and review any imaging before recommending a treatment — and not everyone is a candidate for a procedure.
Are there risks?
Every procedure carries some risk, such as infection, bleeding, nerve irritation or a temporary increase in pain. Your doctor should walk you through the specific risks and benefits before you decide.
This article is sponsored content by SEVA Healthcare and is for general information only — it is not medical or legal advice. Treatment options depend on an individual evaluation, and results vary from person to person. In an emergency, call 911. Spotted an error? See our corrections policy.
