Book an Appointment
Interventional Pain Management in Jacksonville, FL
- Two Jacksonville Locations
- Customized Treatments
- Coordinated Injury Care
- Physical Therapy, Medical Care, Pain Management, Electrodiagnostics, Concussion Care, Auto Accidents, Workers' Comp, DOL, LHWCA, OWCP, Longshore
Interventional pain management uses targeted injections and minimally invasive procedures to treat a specific source of pain, such as an irritated spinal nerve root, a painful facet joint or a vertebral compression fracture. At East Coast Injury Clinic, these procedures are offered through our visiting interventional pain management physician as one part of an injury care plan. Most plans start with conservative care, and a procedure is considered when pain continues despite it.
This page explains each procedure in plain language. For the full picture of how we treat injury pain, including chiropractic care, physical therapy and medical management, see our pain management page.
Interventional pain management at a glance
- Interventional procedures at East Coast Injury Clinic are performed by a visiting interventional pain management physician, not by our chiropractors.
- A medial branch block is often used as a diagnostic step before radiofrequency ablation.
- A spinal cord stimulator starts with a temporary trial before a permanent device is considered.
- In Florida workers’ compensation, procedures costing more than $1,000 need express carrier authorization, except in an emergency (F.S. 440.13(3)).
- Under Florida PIP, medical benefits above $2,500 require an Emergency Medical Condition determination by an MD, DO, physician assistant, APRN or dentist (F.S. 627.736(1)(a)3).
Where interventional procedures fit in injury care
After a car crash or a work injury, most pain improves with time and active care. A typical plan at our clinic looks like this:
- Evaluation first. Our physicians and advanced practice nurses take your history, examine you, screen for red flags and review or order imaging. When nerve involvement is suspected, our electrodiagnostic team can perform EMG and nerve conduction testing.
- Conservative care. Physical therapy, chiropractic care and exercise aim to restore motion, strength and function.
- A procedure, when it makes sense. If pain continues, or the exam points to a specific source that a procedure can target, our visiting interventional pain management physician may evaluate you.
- Back to rehab. A procedure is usually paired with continued therapy. When pain eases, it can be easier to do the exercises that support longer-term recovery.
Everyone works from one record, so your chiropractor, physical therapist and physicians see the same history and results.
Procedures our visiting pain physician may offer
Whether a procedure is appropriate depends on your exam, imaging, other health conditions and how you have responded to conservative care. Your physician will explain the goals, risks, alternatives, and where and how a procedure is done before you decide.
Epidural steroid injection (ESI)
A corticosteroid is placed in the epidural space near an irritated spinal nerve root, usually with imaging guidance. An ESI may be considered for radiating arm or leg pain (radiculopathy), such as sciatica from a herniated disc. The goal is to calm inflammation around the nerve. Some people notice relief for weeks or months, some notice short-term relief, and some notice little or none.
Facet joint injections and medial branch blocks
The facet joints are the small paired joints at the back of each spinal level. A facet joint injection places medicine in or near the joint. A medial branch block numbs the small nerves that carry pain signals from a facet joint. Because it tests whether those nerves are a pain source, a medial branch block is often used as a diagnostic step before radiofrequency ablation.
Nerve blocks
An anesthetic, sometimes with a steroid, is placed near a specific nerve. A nerve block may reduce pain, and it can also help confirm which nerve is involved.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
Radiofrequency ablation uses heat to interrupt the nerves that carry pain signals from a targeted spinal joint. It is usually considered after medial branch blocks point to those nerves. Relief, when it happens, may last months, and the nerves can recover over time.
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS)
A spinal cord stimulator delivers mild electrical signals to the spinal cord to change how pain is felt. It is reserved for selected patients with long-lasting pain after other options. A temporary trial comes first, so you and your physician can see whether stimulation helps before a permanent device is considered.
Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty
Both procedures stabilize a painful vertebral compression fracture with bone cement. In kyphoplasty, a small balloon first creates space in the collapsed bone. These procedures are considered for selected compression fractures confirmed on imaging, and they are not a treatment for ordinary back strain.
When a procedure may not be appropriate
An injection is not the right first step for everyone. A procedure may be postponed or not recommended if you have:
- an active infection, or a skin infection near the treatment site
- a bleeding problem, or blood thinners that cannot be safely paused
- diabetes that is not well controlled, since steroids can raise blood sugar
- pregnancy or a possible pregnancy
- pain that has not yet had a fair trial of active, conservative care
Tell us about every medicine you take, including blood thinners, and any allergies before a procedure is scheduled.
Go to the ER or call 911 for new loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, rapidly worsening leg weakness, or back pain with fever. These can be signs of a problem that needs urgent evaluation, not an office procedure.
Candidly, procedures help some people a great deal and others very little. If your exam suggests a problem that needs a surgeon, we will refer you to one.
Paying for interventional procedures
Procedures often need approval before they are scheduled, and the rules depend on how you were hurt:
- Car crash (Florida PIP): PIP pays 80% of reasonable charges when initial care started within 14 days of the crash. Benefits above $2,500 require an Emergency Medical Condition determination by an MD, DO, PA, APRN or dentist (how the 14-day rule works).
- Florida workers’ compensation: the carrier must authorize care before treatment, and procedures costing more than $1,000 need express authorization (workers’ comp care).
- Federal workers (OWCP): procedures need prior authorization from OWCP (federal workers’ comp care).
- Longshore: specialist care and procedures need authorization within the claim (Longshore injury care).
Most injury care at East Coast Injury Clinic is covered through one of four paths: auto insurance PIP after a car accident, a personal injury attorney’s Letter of Protection, state workers’ compensation for a work injury, or federal workers’ compensation (OWCP or Longshore) if you are a federal or maritime employee. We also see patients under Medicare, Tricare, VA Community Care, and a limited number of private plans. Our front desk verifies coverage before your first visit and explains exactly what is and is not covered for your specific case, so there are no surprises. Call 904-513-3954 or visit eastcoastinjury.com to start.
Insurance and claim information here is general. For legal questions about your claim, talk with an attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Interventional pain management treats a specific source of pain with targeted injections or minimally invasive procedures, such as epidural steroid injections, medial branch blocks and radiofrequency ablation. At East Coast Injury Clinic it is one part of an injury care plan that usually starts with conservative care.
Procedures are performed by our visiting interventional pain management physician, who works with our in-house team of physicians, advanced practice nurses, chiropractic physicians and physical therapists. Your physician will explain where and how a procedure is done before you decide.
A medial branch block temporarily numbs the small nerves that serve a facet joint, which helps show whether those nerves are a pain source. Radiofrequency ablation uses heat to interrupt those nerves, and it is usually considered only after medial branch blocks point to them. Relief from RFA, when it happens, may last months.
It varies. Some people notice relief for weeks or months, some notice short-term relief, and some notice little or none. An injection is usually one part of a plan that also includes physical therapy and exercise.
Both procedures stabilize a painful vertebral compression fracture with bone cement. Kyphoplasty first uses a small balloon to create space in the collapsed bone. They are considered for selected fractures confirmed on imaging, not for ordinary back strain.
Not at first. A temporary trial comes first, so you and your physician can see whether stimulation helps your pain. A permanent device is considered only if the trial helps, and spinal cord stimulation is reserved for selected patients with long-lasting pain.
Often, yes. Many plans start with physical therapy and chiropractic care, and many carriers expect a trial of conservative care before approving a procedure. Your physician may recommend an earlier procedure in some situations.
Most injury care at East Coast Injury Clinic is covered through one of four paths: auto insurance PIP after a car accident, a personal injury attorney’s Letter of Protection, state workers’ compensation for a work injury, or federal workers’ compensation (OWCP or Longshore) if you are a federal or maritime employee. We also see patients under Medicare, Tricare, VA Community Care, and a limited number of private plans. Our front desk verifies coverage before your first visit and explains exactly what is and is not covered for your specific case, so there are no surprises. Call 904-513-3954 or visit eastcoastinjury.com to start. Procedures often need carrier or OWCP authorization first, and our front desk requests it.
Schedule a pain management evaluation
Call (904) 513-3954 or contact us online. Tell us how you were hurt, and our front desk will check your coverage, request any authorization your carrier requires and book your evaluation. Our visiting pain physician sees patients on set days, so ask about scheduling when you call.
You can start care at either Jacksonville clinic. Both clinics are in Duval County and are open Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM.
- Southside / Deerwood: 10550 Deerwood Park Blvd, Suite 609, Jacksonville, FL 32256. In the Deerwood Park office area near J. Turner Butler Blvd (JTB), I-295 and Southside Blvd, a short drive from the St. Johns Town Center area. Convenient for Southside, Deerwood, Baymeadows, Arlington, Mandarin, San Jose and the Beaches.
- North Jacksonville: 13453 N Main St, Suite 302, Jacksonville, FL 32218. On N Main St north of I-295, convenient for the Northside, Oceanway and the JAX airport area.
Our Recent Posts
Post-concussion syndrome: how long it lasts and when to get help
Post-concussion symptoms can last weeks, months or longer. What PCS is, how long it lasts, the warning signs, and how recovery works...
The CA-17 duty status report: what your doctor fills out and why
The CA-17 is the Duty Status Report that tells your federal agency what you can and cannot do at work while you...
Longshore (LHWCA) injuries at JAXPORT: getting care in Jacksonville
If you were hurt working on the Jacksonville waterfront, such as loading or unloading vessels at a JAXPORT terminal, repairing ships, or...
The information provided on this page is for general educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It does not constitute a diagnosis, treatment recommendation, or substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare provider. Individual results vary. East Coast Injury Clinic’s services may not be appropriate for every condition or patient. Please consult a licensed healthcare professional to determine whether these services are right for your specific situation. Information provided about insurance, PIP, workers’ compensation, OWCP, or Longshore coverage is general and is not legal advice. For legal questions related to a claim, consult a licensed attorney.
East Coast Injury Clinic | 10550 Deerwood Park Blvd, Suite 609, Jacksonville, FL 32256 | 13453 N Main St, Suite 302, Jacksonville, FL 32218 | 904-513-3954 | eastcoastinjury.com
East Coast Injury Clinic: Serving Jacksonville and Duval County
Two Jacksonville clinics, one injury team: Southside at 10550 Deerwood Park Blvd, Suite 609, and North Jacksonville at 13453 N Main St, Suite 302.