Congratulations to Dana’s sister and her family!!  

Our practice manager, Dana, was the Maid of Honor last month at her sister’s wedding. She and her daughter Jaelyn had an amazing time celebrating with their family!

As our practice manager, Dana is responsible for the day to day operations of our 5 locations. She has over 12 years of experience in the medical field and has been a loyal and dedicated member of the SPINE team for over a decade.

Dana has a strong moral compass and is always direct, honest and respectful with Dr. Sakai, our staff, and our patients. She has proven to be a great manager who leads by example and is highly respected by Dr. Sakai and her peers.

Outside of work, Dana enjoys being with friends and family. The summer season is her favorite, when the majority of her free time can be spent at cookouts, the beach, or road trips on the motorcycle with her boyfriend and their closest friends. And as the picture shows, Dana is a proud mom and has raised a smart, well-mannered, independent, and confident young lady who truly looks up to her mom as an exceptional role model.

The post Congratulations Dana! first appeared on Spine & Pain Institute of New England.

What happens when someone starts choking in a restaurant?  

Earlier this month, Liz, one of our experienced medical staff, was in a restaurant when a woman began to choke on some food.  The woman’s husband tried to give her the Heimlich maneuver but was unsuccessful. Luckily, Liz was there and was able to step in and perform the Heimlich maneuver successfully.  The piece of food was completely dislodged allowing the woman to get much needed oxygen to her lungs and brain.  Liz saved her life!

Great job Liz! We are so proud of you!!!

Liz has over 10 years of experience in the medical field. She has an excellent reputation when it comes to patient care which is no surprise because Liz is so passionate about helping people while always being very open and honest with our patients. We also find that our patients really connect with Liz because, like many of our patients, she has suffered from chronic back pain throughout her life and can really understand and relate to what our patients are going through.

Outside of work, Liz is an avid reader and enjoys various outdoor activities, especially camping and hiking. She is also a proud mom and loves to make costumes for her son’s theater group. We are so lucky to have her as part of the SPINE Family!

The post Spine Team Member Saves A Life Outside Of Work first appeared on Spine & Pain Institute of New England.

Radiofrequency Lesioning for Chronic Back and Neck Pain

Radiofrequency Lesioning (RFL), also known as Radiofrequency Ablation or Radiofrequency Degeneration is a minimally invasive procedure performed to reduce and eliminate back pain and neck pain that is caused by degeneration of the facet joints (Arthritis and Osteoarthritis).

RFL is the third and final step to a three part procedure and is only recommended after a patient has undergone and had two positive responses (50%+ reduction in pain over a 24 hour period) to Diagnostic Medial Branch Block procedures – which are performed first to confirm that the pain is coming from the area suspected: small joints called Facet Joints.

In a nut shell- Radiofrequency Lesioning is the action of degenerating/cauterizing the nerves (Medial Branch Nerves) that correlate and send signals (pain) to and from the facet joints. RFL works by stopping the communication between these nerves and joints using cauterization and the formation of scar tissue. Both X-ray guidance and a highly specialized piece of equipment are used to help the doctor accurately locate the nerves utilizing gentle electrostimulation. Local anesthetic is used so discomfort is rare. However, it is not uncommon for patients to experience slight twitching to the area being treated during this time. Each nerve will then be cauterized by delivering 90 seconds of heat produced by our specialized equipment.

Results are generally noticed by patients within two to four weeks depending on the amount of time it takes your body to heal/form scar tissue. Results also vary. On average, RFL provides six months to two years reduction/elimination of pain. The variation of results are vast because they depend on the amount of time it takes the cauterized nerves to regenerate (nerve regeneration begins between six and twenty four months – each individual patient is different).

Just like most of the other services offered at the Spine and Pain Institute – RFL is covered by most insurers with a Prior Authorization and conveniently performed in our on-site procedure suite with the assistance of fluoroscopic guidance and with little to no discomfort.  Risks and complications are minimal and most patients are able to return to their daily activities the next day.

The post Radiofrequency Lesioning – What is it? first appeared on Spine & Pain Institute of New England.

Regenerative Medicine: Stem Cell Therapy & Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy

Stem Cell Therapy and Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP) are treatment options that have the potential to repair cells and help relieve pain. These procedures are alternative solutions to surgery for patients who are suffering from conditions like, osteoarthritis, meniscus tears, arthritis, labral tears, tendonitis, torn rotator cuff, chronic neck and back pain, wrist, elbow and ankle pain.

As we age or are involved in an injury, our bodies cannot get enough stem cells to the needed area. Stem cells are responsible for healing our bodies and helping assist in the healing of damaged tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bone and tissues. At The Spine and Pain Institute of New England, we utilize advanced imaging guidance to ensure the stem cells and/or PRP are accurately delivered to the specific area to get optimal results. Dr. Sakai will also create a customized personal rehabilitation program for recovery.

The success of the procedure will depend on the severity of your condition and your body’s response to stem cell therapy. Also the need for surgery can be reduced greatly by having this treatment. If you are interested in Stem Cell or PRP therapy please call us to learn more and find out if you could be a good candidate.

The post NEW! Regenerative Medicine: Stem Cell Therapy & Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy first appeared on Spine & Pain Institute of New England.

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome & Alternatives to Surgery

Failed back surgery syndrome is a generalized term to describe recurrent pain after spine surgery whether the pain is worse, unchanged or even slightly improved.

Depending on the condition, there are various options with managing pain after surgery.  The most common treatment option is utilizing minimally invasive treatments such as epidural steroid injections, facet injections, or radiofrequency ablations.  Dr. Sakai will pair the injections with physical therapy or other conservative treatments to help improve pain levels and quality of life.

Dr. Sakai may also recommend Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) to deliver low voltage electricity to the spinal cord. With SCS, patients are able to try the system before a permanent implantation. The electricity delivered will interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain making it easier to manage the pain.

If you are looking for treatment options for failed back surgery syndrome or considering alternatives to surgery please call us and our highly trained staff will be more than happy to help you.

The post Failed Back Surgery Syndrome & Alternatives to Surgery first appeared on Spine & Pain Institute of New England.

“Can Stress Cause Neck Pain?”

Cindy responds:

Yes, one of the most common sites in the body where the effects of stress can be felt is in the neck. From the base of the skull to the top of your shoulders, your neck can become a center of pain and tension.

The initial neck pain may be caused by an injury that strains the muscle in the neck, but the pain continues for days, weeks or even longer due to the stress.  We can treat this pain with a Trigger Point Injection to relax the muscles and reduce the inflammation.

The post Can Stress Cause Neck Pain? first appeared on Spine & Pain Institute of New England.

“Trouble sleeping with sciatica?”

Sandy responds:

Poor sleep quality can exacerbate back pain and it’s common to have trouble sleeping if you have sciatica. Unfortunately, there is little proven research on the best sleeping positions for chronic sciatic pain.

However, there are recommendations that are worth a try.  To relieve pain while you are trying to sleep it is vital to position yourself specifically to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve.  For those who sleep on their side, bring the top knee up toward your head and place a pillow underneath to alleviate the pressure on the sciatic nerve. For those who sleep on your back, place a firm pillow under your knees.  There are also a few recommendations to try before sleeping like: taking a warm shower, icing the site, and stretching.  At the Spine and Pain Institute of New England we dedicate our time and effort to help treat and educate our patients for the best quality of care.

The post Trouble sleeping with Sciatica? first appeared on Spine & Pain Institute of New England.

“What is a Caudal Steroid Injection?”

Cindy responds:

A caudal steroid injection is an injection into the lowest portion of the spine in the epidural space. This injection can help reduce lower back and leg pain caused by sciatica, herniated discs, bone spurs or other back problems.

You have nerves that run from your spinal cord out to your back and legs. When one of those nerve roots gets irritated and inflamed due to a damaged disc or other condition, it can cause back or leg pain. We use a steroid called Kenalog that can help reduce the inflammation and reduce the pain. It’s injected into the area between the membrane that contains the spinal fluid and the thickest ligament between your vertebra.

The post What is a Caudal steroid Injection? first appeared on Spine & Pain Institute of New England.

“Can You Help My Arthritis Pain?”

Sandy responds:

There are many types of arthritis, but the most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis.  Symptoms include pain, swelling, stiffness and decreased range of motion. With these symptoms it is hard to stay active and maintain a healthy lifestyle.  Even though symptoms may dissipate, or just occur periodically, it is important to understand all of the available treatment options and discuss the benefits and risks of each of them with your doctor.  Together, you can come up with an individualized treatment plan that will achieve the best results for you.  The ultimate goal for treating arthritis is to control pain, minimize joint damage, and improve activity of daily living.  And with the right treatment plan, it’s definitely possible. Under Dr. Sakai’s care, I have seen great success with lots of our patients living with arthritis.

The post Can You Help My Arthritis Pain? first appeared on Spine & Pain Institute of New England.

“What other types of pain do you treat besides spine related pain?”

Dana responds:

With ABMS board certification in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation as well as board certification in the sub specialties of Pain Medicine and Sports Medicine, Dr. Sakai has expertise in treating a wide array of pain conditions.  Although many of our patients commonly present with back or neck pain we are not limited to treating spine related issues here at the Spine and Pain Institute. We also offer treatment for Fibromyalgia, RSD, Carpal tunnel syndrome, migraine headaches, arthritic pain from the joints such as (but not limited to) knees, shoulders, hips, ankles and elbows- along with other injuries resulting from sports, motor vehicle accidents and work. Last but not least we also offer Stem cell and PRP therapy to repair and regenerate damaged cells.

The post WHAT OTHER TYPES OF PAIN DO YOU TREAT BESIDES SPINE RELATED PAIN? first appeared on Spine & Pain Institute of New England.