Conditions & Nonsurgical Treatments | Texas Pain Associates

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. For more persistent or complex low back pain, a range of interventional treatments are available.

Treatment options: Anti-inflammatory medications • Epidural steroid injections • Trigger point injections • Lumbar facet injections • Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) • PRP therapy

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.

Treatment options: Cervical epidural steroid injections • Cervical facet injections • Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) • Trigger point injections • PRP therapy

The sacroiliac joints connect the base of the spine to the pelvis and can become a significant source of low back and buttock pain, particularly with inflammation or dysfunction. SI joint injections, performed under fluoroscopic guidance, deliver anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medication directly to the joint to provide both diagnostic confirmation and therapeutic relief.

Treatment options: SI joint injections (fluoroscopic guidance) • Anti-inflammatory medications • PRP therapy

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.

Treatment options: Corticosteroid injections • Viscosupplementation injections • Ultrasound-guided injections • Fluoroscopic-guided injections • PRP therapy

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.

Treatment options: Occipital nerve blocks • Trigger point injections • Preventive Botox injections • Medication management

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.

Treatment options: Epidural steroid injections • Anti-inflammatory medications • PRP therapy

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.

Treatment options: Facet injections (fluoroscopic guidance) • Medial branch blocks • Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) • Rhizotomy • PRP therapy

PRP therapy is a regenerative treatment that uses a concentration of a patient’s own platelets to promote healing of injured tendons, ligaments, joints, and soft tissue. Because PRP is derived from the patient’s own blood, it is a natural option that harnesses the body’s own healing mechanisms. PRP injections may be beneficial for patients with chronic joint pain, tendon injuries, and other musculoskeletal conditions who have not found adequate relief through other treatments.

Conditions commonly treated with PRP: Chronic joint pain • Tendon injuries • Ligament injuries • Disc-related back pain • SI joint pain • Facet joint pain • Musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries