Helping You Find Relief Without Surgery
At Texas Pain Associates, Dr. Nara Pravat takes a comprehensive, nonsurgical approach to diagnosing and treating pain. Below are some of the most common conditions we treat and the interventional therapies available.
Low Back Pain & Muscle Strains
Many acute cases of low back pain (lasting less than 3–6 months) are caused by strains or sprains of the muscles or ligaments. These tend to be self-limited and improve over time. Anti-inflammatory medications and analgesics can help manage symptoms while the inflammation resolves.
Facet Joint Pain & Radiofrequency Ablation
Between adjacent vertebrae, there is an intervertebral disc and two facet joints. These joints can become a source of pain due to arthritis and inflammation. Facet injections — performed under fluoroscopic (live X-ray) guidance — deliver anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medication directly to the joint, providing both diagnostic clarity and therapeutic relief. If the facet joints are confirmed as a significant pain source, the medial branch nerves can be treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or rhizotomy for longer-lasting pain relief.
Sciatica & Lumbar Radiculopathy
The sciatic nerve originates from the L4–S3 nerve roots and runs down the back of the leg. When a nerve root in the low back becomes irritated or compressed — often by a disc herniation or degenerative spinal changes — it can cause pain, weakness, and sensory changes in the lower extremity. Epidural steroid injections (ESI), guided by fluoroscopy, deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly to the affected nerve root to reduce pain and inflammation. Spinal stenosis — a narrowing of the spinal canal — can also cause similar radiating symptoms and may similarly benefit from ESIs.
Disc Herniation, Degeneration & Tears
The intervertebral discs between vertebrae contain pain-sensing nerves in their outer layers. Disc tears can be painful on their own, and when inner disc material leaks out, it can irritate surrounding nerves and cause inflammation or physical nerve compression — leading to pain, weakness, and sensory changes. Epidural steroid injections can help reduce symptoms and support recovery.
Neck Pain & Cervical Radiculopathy
Neck pain is one of the most common conditions Dr. Pravat treats, and it can arise from a variety of causes including muscle strain, cervical disc herniation, cervical discogenic pain, facet joint arthritis, or nerve compression. When a cervical nerve root becomes irritated or compressed — often due to a herniated disc or degenerative changes — it can cause pain, numbness, or weakness radiating into the shoulder, arm, or hand, a condition known as cervical radiculopathy. Cervical epidural steroid injections, performed under fluoroscopic guidance, deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly to the affected area to reduce pain and promote healing. Cervical facet injections and radiofrequency ablation are also effective options when the facet joints are identified as the primary pain source.
Joint Pain
Arthritis, injury, and inflammation can cause significant pain in the shoulders, hips, knees, and other joints, limiting mobility and quality of life. Dr. Pravat offers targeted joint injections — including corticosteroid and viscosupplementation injections — often performed with ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance for precision. These treatments can reduce inflammation, restore function, and help patients return to the activities they enjoy.
Headaches & Migraines
Chronic headaches and migraines can be debilitating, significantly impacting daily life. Dr. Pravat evaluates the underlying contributors to headache disorders and offers interventional options including occipital nerve blocks, trigger point injections, and preventive Botox injections to help reduce headache frequency and severity. A comprehensive, individualized treatment plan is developed for each patient.
Texas Pain Associates, Dr. Nara Pravat 