Back pain gone in 20 minutes

Help through radiofrequency ablation (RFA)

In minimally invasive pain therapy, tiny needles are inserted into the painful area while high-frequency current is applied. This interrupts the pain signals from the nerves, activating blood circulation and the body's self-healing mechanisms.

Katja Karl (55) suffered from sharp pain in her lower back for over two years, which restricted her movement. After a 20-minute treatment, she is completely pain-free.

Eliminate chronic back pain in minutes

Katja Karl (55) from Weißenfeld in Bavaria suffered from severe lower back pain for more than two years: "I could barely move, I felt like an ancient woman," she says. "The stabbing pain radiated down into my hip and leg." She had to give up her beloved ballet and Zumba classes because they were too painful and her entire lower back felt completely blocked. "As a self-employed businesswoman, I could only manage long car journeys with frequent breaks and cruise control," she says. Katja tried massages, ultrasound therapy, and at times took strong painkillers. "Then the pain was gone, but I felt like I was drunk from the medication!" For a long time, she thought, "I'll just have to live with this pain!" But in April, her brother told her about the Munich-East Spine Center. Katja made an appointment.

Dr. med. Samer Ismail

✉ info@wz-muenchenost.de

☎ +49 89 420 45 017

Since 2012, we have been certified as a highly specialized spine center throughout Germany and at the WZMO we treat all acute and chronic diseases and pain conditions of the spine.

The solution:
Munich East Spine Center

Neurosurgeon and spine expert Dr. Samer Ismail specializes in treating patients with chronic back pain and explains: "Ever since humans began walking upright, the lumbar spine has been under extreme strain: it connects the upper and lower body and demands maximum stability." However, frequent sitting and repetitive strain injuries cause muscles and ligaments to atrophy, the intervertebral discs to lose height and elasticity, and nerve endings to become irritated. "Because the spinal cord and thousands of nerve fibers run through our spine, it is particularly painful there," says Dr. Ismail.

Radiofrequency ablation for a pain-free future

A gentle and low-risk method he frequently uses is radiofrequency ablation (RFA): "We use high-frequency electrical current to heat the tissue while simultaneously cooling it gently," says the expert. "This not only calms the nerve signals, but also reduces the risk of nerve damage through tiny micro-injuries."
Oxygen saturation in the blood increases again. The body's self-healing powers are activated, and inflammation subsides.“ During the treatment, Katja lies on her stomach. Dr. Ismail numbs the lumbar spine with a quick injection before using tiny needles to puncture the painful areas, three to five centimeters deep in the tissue. „I simultaneously monitor the X-ray image to see where the needle is,“ explains the neurosurgeon. „The goal is to target the small, movable facet joints of the spine because tiny nerves are often pinched there, causing the chronic pain.“

The treatment takes less than 20 minutes. "It didn't hurt," says Katja. "And once the tingling from the anesthetic wore off, I was actually pain-free after just one treatment!" For Dr. Ismail, the most important effect of the treatment: "Through
"With freedom from pain, patients can move out of their protective postures, move more freely, and thus lead a more active life again, which is beneficial for the back in the long term!" Katja is doing just that: "I can finally dance again! It feels so good; I love keeping my whole body moving to classical or pop music!" Katja now goes back to exercising two to three times a week. "With this active lifestyle, Ms. Karl has a good chance that the treatment won't need to be repeated," says Dr. Ismail. "In about half of the patients, RFA has to be repeated after a year because the small, painful nerve branches can regenerate." Some statutory health insurance companies cover the treatment; self-paying patients pay 550 euros.

Three gentle home tips for back pain from Dr. Ismail

1. Heat:

Heat is beneficial for back pain because it relaxes tense areas and stimulates blood circulation. Instead of heat sources that only affect one spot, Dr. Samer Ismail recommends using hot water bottles or cherry pit pillows and moving them across the back. A warm bath can also help.

2. Isometric exercises:

Strength exercises where muscles are tensed without movement gently strengthen the back muscles. One example is the forearm plank. To do this: first lie on your stomach like a board, then raise your forearms and toes, support your entire body weight on them, and hold for 30 seconds.

3. Stretching sports:

Whether it's yoga, ballet, or stretching exercises – when there's no acute pain, sports that stretch the muscles, ligaments, and tendons are particularly beneficial for the spine. An exercise for acute pain: hang from a bar and let yourself hang there to gently stretch the entire spine.

Acute back pain? Need advice? We're ready!

Are you already suffering from severe back pain and suspect something more serious? Then don't wait too long, contact us as soon as possible. Book your appointment online or call us during our office hours.

You have no acute symptoms, but occasionally need a specialist in spinal medicine? We would be happy to accept you as a new patient and conduct an initial consultation so that we already know each other in case of an emergency and can treat you immediately.

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