Finding Relief Without Surgery: Interventional Spine Care Explained - Dr Naveen MA

Back pain has quietly become one of India’s most common health problems. In cities, it affects office workers who sit for long hours. In small towns, it troubles people who lift, bend, and travel on bad roads.

Most live with it until the pain becomes too much. Tablets and rest help for a while, but when the ache keeps returning, the question comes up — is surgery the only way out?

Not always.

Between basic medicines and spine surgery, there’s a growing space for something called interventional spine care — targeted treatments that relieve pain, reduce swelling, and help people move again without going under the knife.

A Middle Path in Spine Treatment:

For years, back or neck pain often followed a predictable path — painkillers, physiotherapy, and then, if nothing worked, surgery. But now, many doctors prefer a step-by-step approach. The idea is to treat the source of pain, not just the symptom.

In interventional spine care, small injections or targeted therapies are used to calm irritated nerves or joints. These procedures are usually done under local anaesthesia and don’t require hospital stays. Patients go home the same day and can return to normal work soon after.

When Injections Can Help:

Doctors usually suggest injections when medicines and exercise haven’t helped for several weeks. The goal is to break the pain cycle so the spine can heal naturally.

Epidural Steroid Injections:

These are given in the lower back to reduce inflammation around the nerves. They’re often used for sciatica — pain that travels from the back down the leg.

Facet Joint Injections:

These target the small joints that help the spine bend and twist. When these joints become inflamed, pain can be sharp and constant.

Nerve Root Blocks:

If a single nerve is trapped or irritated, a nerve block can both confirm the diagnosis and provide relief.

Each injection is guided by imaging to make sure the medicine reaches the exact spot. Relief may last months — sometimes longer — and allows patients to continue physiotherapy more effectively.

The Role of Radiofrequency Therapy:

One newer method becoming popular in Indian pain clinics is radiofrequency ablation. It uses heat from controlled radio waves to numb the tiny nerves that send pain signals from damaged joints. The procedure takes less than an hour and can offer relief that lasts six months or more.

Doctors often combine this with physiotherapy or posture correction to get longer-term results. It’s not a cure, but it gives the body time to recover and helps patients stay active without depending on heavy painkillers.

When to Consider Surgery:

Not every case can be managed this way. When nerve compression is severe — for example, if a patient has leg weakness, loss of bladder control, or pain that never eases — surgery becomes necessary.

Doctors usually order an MRI before deciding. If the scan shows a slipped disc pressing hard on a nerve or spinal canal narrowing that threatens mobility, surgery may be the safer option. The goal then is to protect the spinal cord and prevent permanent damage.

What matters most is timing. Waiting too long after serious symptoms appear can reduce the chances of full recovery.

Access and Awareness in India:

Interventional pain care is still new in many parts of India. Big city hospitals have specialists and imaging support. Smaller towns are catching up slowly. The good news is that many of these procedures don’t need large operating theatres. They can be done in day-care pain clinics with proper equipment and trained staff.

The cost, while higher than routine injections, is still much lower than surgery — and recovery is far quicker. More doctors are now being trained in these methods through pain medicine fellowships.

Taking Charge Early:

People often reach a pain clinic late, after trying months of home remedies. Early medical advice makes a big difference. Simple lifestyle changes — sitting straight, regular stretching, and avoiding long drives without breaks — can prevent many cases of chronic back pain.

Doctors stress that interventional procedures work best when paired with movement therapy. Staying active helps prevent recurrence.

 A Balanced Way Forward:

Spine care no longer needs to swing between pills and the operating table. Interventional therapy offers a practical middle ground — effective, safe, and increasingly available in India.

Surgery still has its place, especially when the spinal cord or nerves are at risk. But for many, targeted injections or radiofrequency therapy can provide real relief without the fear of surgery.

The key is not to wait until pain takes over daily life. The earlier it’s addressed, the better the chance of recovery — and of walking tall again, without fear or pain.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of the author and not of Health Dialogues. The Editorial/Content team of Health Dialogues has not contributed to the writing/editing/packaging of this article.