Interventional Pain Medicine: An Effective Strategy to Relieve Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most common—and debilitating—medical conditions affecting people worldwide. While traditional treatments like physical therapy, medications, or even surgery can help, they don’t always provide lasting relief. That’s where interventional pain medicine comes in. 

This specialized field focuses on pinpointing the source of pain and using targeted, minimally invasive techniques to alleviate it. For many patients, interventional pain medicine offers an effective and transformative strategy to manage chronic back pain and reclaim a better quality of life.

Here, Dr. Akhil Shori with Riverside Orthopedic Specialists, offers helpful information surrounding interventional pain medicine and why it is so beneficial. 

Different Types of Low Back Pain

Low back pain is a broad term, but its causes can stem from various anatomical structures around the lower back. For instance, the sacroiliac (SI) joint—where the spine connects to the pelvis—can become a source of pain, especially in patients who have undergone back, hip, or knee surgeries that alter gait and weight distribution. 

Other potential pain generators include the facet joints in the lower spine, the piriformis muscle beneath the gluteal muscles—often irritated by gait dysfunction—and the greater trochanter area of the hip, where inflammation of the bursa can cause discomfort. Understanding the specific origin of pain is key to effective treatment.

“There could be six or seven different anatomical structures around the lower back area which could manifest as low back pain, but weeding them out is super important,” states Dr. Shori. 

Why Does Back Pain Develop—And How Can People Mitigate It?

As we age—especially after 30—our bones gradually lose density and our muscles begin to lose mass. To maintain musculoskeletal health, it’s essential to stay active, focus on good posture, and engage in regular exercise. 

Physical therapy can be particularly helpful in keeping muscles strong and posture aligned. For those with sedentary jobs, poor posture can easily lead to muscle irritation, such as in the piriformis muscle, highlighting the importance of daily movement and proper ergonomics.

“If you're not doing stretches in between your work, you're just sitting all day, your muscles will get really, really tight,” cautions Dr. Shori. “So, stretching those muscles, taking breaks in between, going for walks, and even using a standing desk is great if you're working at a computer for a long time. Those things can really help delay this process and keep you in check.”

When Should You See a Doctor for the Pain?

If back pain lasts more than a couple of weeks, doesn’t improve with over-the-counter medications like Tylenol or ibuprofen, and starts to affect your quality of life—such as preventing you from activities like running or fishing—it’s time to see a healthcare professional. A proper evaluation can help identify the source of the pain and guide appropriate treatment.

“If you have any pain that is affecting your quality of life and that pain is lingering on more than two to three weeks, that’s when it is the ideal time to see a professional to mitigate and manage the pain,” encourages Dr. Shori. 

Interventional Pain Medicine Treatment Options

Interventional pain medicine focuses on minimally invasive techniques to help patients regain their quality of life. Common treatments include image-guided injections, such as steroid injections into the sacroiliac joint or the piriformis muscle, performed under X-ray guidance to ensure precision and safety. 

“The big cornerstone for all these modalities is to get you some pain relief so you can participate with physical therapy. We want those muscles to get stronger so they can offload the joint around the SI,” shares Dr. Shori. “That's where the physical therapy piece of it comes in. If you continue doing the exercises, making those muscles stronger, and we take away your pain, it goes a long, long way.”

If an interventional pain medicine strategy still doesn’t provide relief, there are additional options. Dr. Shori notes that Riverside takes a collaborative and comprehensive approach to care with access to neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, and podiatrists. 

“If the pain is bothering you significantly and affecting your quality of life, it's time to see a professional to get it checked and find out what the right solution is for your needs,” he adds.