Deborah Butler’s pain was at a level 9 by the time she found help at South Central Pain Center. Mrs. Butler said, “I woke up and my hip, all the way down to my knee, was in horrible pain.” After meeting with various physicians and trying physical therapy, Mrs. Butler contact Dr. Tariq to discuss alternative treatments. Together, they made the decision to perform the MILD procedure on Mrs. Butler. Today, she states, “My pain level has decreased to a level 2, and I have regained my quality of life.”

Watch our HealthBreak segment with Mrs. Butler and Dr. Tariq to learn more about the MILD procedure available at South Central Pain Center.

Over 2 million people are diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis annually. Spinal stenosis usually presents with lower back pain when standing up straight, an aching sensation, numbness and tingling and pain in buttocks when patients are walking. Dr. Rayhan Tariq, Interventional Pain Management Physician, offers an alternative to open spine surgery known as MILD – Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression.

Watch our HealthBreak segment with Rayhan Tariq, MD, to learn more about the MILD procedure available at South Central Pain Center.

"Dr. Tariq and his staff are professional, compassionate, and extremely knowledgeable. They take extra time to listen, answer questions, and explain. We have searched endlessly for a doctor to help manage our daughter’s excruciating pain. Dr. Tariq and his staff have given us hope! Highly recommend!!" - Patient Testimonial from April 2023.

“A year ago Never knew about dry needling and it’s benefits, on recommendation of a happy patient I tried this treatment therapy and so happy with the professionalism of the clinic . First the reception very professional ,then the doctor was so thoughtful and thorough and last but not least Dr. Rayhan Tariq was excellent not only on the treatment and relief I got but also in the way he makes you relax and teaches you the methods to work better postures and to feel better . Will highly recommend. Truly the best way to pain free help without medication.” - Patient Testimonial from February 2023.

"Dr. Tariq is very kind. He also listens and seems to truly care about his patients. I’m so grateful for the care I have received at South Central Pain Center." - Patient Testimonial from March 2022.

"Awesome!" - Patient Testimonial from December 2021.

“I have suffered with pain for years, but I continued to tell myself ‘I did not want another pain pill. I did not want to go to another doctor.’ However the pain became unbearable and limited my daily activities, so after consulting with my physician, I scheduled an appointment with Dr. Tariq. It was a wonderful decision. After the ablation procedure, I have felt so good. I have been able to concentrate on things other than my pain or my disease." - Patient Testimonial from December 2021.

"Dr. Tariq was very professional and polite during my visit to the pain center. He explained in detail about what he would do to help me with the pain I have in both knees. The procedure was virtually painless and my pain started to subside the next day. I would highly recommend him." - Patient Testimonial from September 2021.

Genicular radiofrequency ablation is a non-invasive knee procedure could bring some relief for patients suffering from debilitating chronic pain. The treatment is a less drastic option for people with moderate to severe osteoarthritis pain who are not ready to have knee replacement surgery, or who have health conditions that do not make them a good candidate for surgery. Rayhan Tariq, MD, Pain Management Specialist, offers the procedure at South Central Pain Center. To learn more, contact our clinic today at 601-425-7500.

 

Genicular radiofrequency ablation is a non-invasive knee procedure could bring some relief for patients suffering from debilitating chronic pain. The treatment is a less drastic option for people with moderate to severe osteoarthritis pain who are not ready to have knee replacement surgery, or who have health conditions that do not make them a good candidate for surgery. Rayhan Tariq, MD, Pain Management Specialist, offers the procedure at South Central Pain Center.

Knee Procedure Eases Arthritis Pain Without Surgery.

South Central Pain Center is offering a Procedure for Knee Arthritis to Ease Pain Without Surgery

A non-invasive knee procedure could bring some relief for patients suffering from debilitating chronic pain, for whom surgery is not an option. The treatment, approved by the Food and Drug Administration, is called genicular radiofrequency ablation and is a less drastic option for people with moderate to severe osteoarthritis pain who are not ready to have knee replacement surgery, or who have health conditions that do not make them a good candidate for surgery.

Rayhan Tariq, MD, Pain Management Specialist states, “There are actually four pain nerves that carry most of the pain sensation in the knee itself and if we could actually target pain coming out of these 4 specific pain nerves we could actually treat the pain from the knee at its source.”

Genicular radiofrequency ablation uses radiofrequency to target and mute the nerves responsible for sending pain signals from the arthritic knee to the brain. The procedure does not repair arthritis in the knee, but eases the pain, helping patients go back to activities without discomfort and fewer medications.

“Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure where we use a special kind of a needle to do a very targeted source treatment of the pain,” said Dr. Tariq.  “In this needle we apply electricity and at the tip of the needle the electricity generates a small area of heat.  So, we put the tip of needle right where the pain nerve is so we can in essence burn off the pain nerve.  Essentially, we can treat the pain at its source.”

Following the procedure, there is no recovery period, no cutting. “Compared to traditional surgeries, it minimizes the side effects or risks from the procedure,” said. Dr. Tariq.

For patients to qualify for the procedure, Dr. Tariq will assess the pain and provide a test block. This allows the patient to experience firsthand the type of pain relief they will receive after having a radiofrequency ablation.

“There are very few procedures in medicine where a patient can test out a procedure before they have it completed,” said Dr. Tariq. “This is very advantageous for the patient.”

At South Central Pain Center, we recognize how difficult and challenging it can be to live with chronic pain. Accurate diagnosis is essential for the most favorable treatment outcomes. Dr. Tariq is highly skilled at assessing the patients' pain generators and providing comprehensive treatment options. Many pain clinics rely only on pain medications that limit patients’ quality of life because of side effects. Our goal at South Central Pain Center is to help you get back to your everyday life using minimally invasive procedures to minimize pain and reduce reliance on opioid medications.

To learn more about pain management services available, visit SouthCentralPain.com or call 601-425-7500. The facility is located at 1002 Jefferson Street, Suite 300, in Laurel.

Stop the Pain and Restart Your Daily Activities.

Lumbar Frequency Ablation Available at South Central Pain Center

For 10 years, local resident Nancy Bingham has suffered with lower back pain. Every year the pain would intensify. Nancy set up an appointment with her internal medicine physician, Dr. Graham Rogers, at South Central Internal Medicine. After discussion and evaluation of other diseases she was being treated for, he scheduled a referral with Rayhan Tariq, MD. Dr. Tariq is a fellowship trained and board certified Pain Management Specialist at South Central Pain Center.

Nancy explains her story, “I have suffered with pain for years, but I continued to tell myself ‘I did not want another pain pill. I did not want to go to another doctor.’ However the pain became unbearable and limited my daily activities, so after consulting with my physician, I scheduled an appointment with Dr. Tariq. It was a wonderful decision.”

Nancy has been a LPN for many years. She has a background in long-term care and works for a healthcare facility in Meridian, MS. She has provided care for others and let her pain and health become secondary.

“Dr. Tariq worked with me to determine what was occurring on my spine. The correct diagnosis was found by doing a test block, and then he setup a process to relieve the pain which would help me long term with resuming daily activities.”

Dr. Tariq explains Nancy’s case: “Nancy presented with lower back pain. This pain intensified when she moved in a twisting and turning motion, sitting or standing for too long. Mainly, it was affecting her quality of life. Our goal was to improve her functional status and get her back to doing the things she enjoyed. When I examined her, I found the majority of her pain was stemming from her arthritic joints in the spine. The spine joints can become arthritic overtime, and twisting or turning motion aggravates this type of pain.”

To fully understand her diagnosis, Dr. Tariq performed a test nerve block that supply these particular facet joints. From the test, Nancy had more than 80 percent pain relief from her usual symptoms. This type of test block is not permanent, but South Central Pain Center offers a permanent treatment known as a lumbar radiofrequency ablation.

Radiofrequency ablation uses an electric current to heat up a small area of nerve tissue to stop it from sending pain signals. It can provide lasting relief for people with chronic pain, especially in the lower back, neck and arthritic joints. Dr. Tariq uses x-ray to precisely target the appropriate nerve. The procedure typically takes 15-20 minutes.

“This procedure is done with just a needle,” said Dr. Tariq. “There is no down time, no recovery time, meaning patients can go home the same day, there is no scarring. I use a live x-ray to perform this procedure very safely. These pain nerves’ only job is to supply pain sensations, so our goal is to permanently block those nerves. We use a small electric current through the specialized needle.”

The procedure interrupts the nerve supply from painful facet joints in the low back that may be the source of low back pain.

“After the ablation procedure, I have felt so good,” said Nancy. “I have been able to concentrate on things other than my pain or my disease. With the pain eliminated, I wake up in the morning, and think ‘okay, is the pain going to show up?’ But it is not going to show up because the ablation is working.”

When Nancy was asked about her quality of life after the procedure, she said, “I have been able to cook and no longer need to sit while cooking in my kitchen. I got out in the garden recently and was able to do a little gardening that I had not done in years.  I am 57 and I am able to get back to where I want to travel. I was not able to travel because I hurt too bad when I was in the car. Now I can get in the car and go. I feel like my life is back.”

At South Central Pain Center, we recognize how difficult and challenging it can be to live with chronic pain. Accurate diagnosis is essential for the most favorable treatment outcomes. Dr. Tariq is highly skilled at assessing the patients’ pain generators and providing comprehensive treatment options. Many pain clinics rely only on pain medications that limit patients’ quality of life because of side effects. Our goal at South Central Pain Center is to help you get back to your everyday life using minimally invasive procedures to minimize pain and reduce reliance on opioid medications.

To learn more about pain management services available, visit SouthCentralPain.com or call 601-425-7500. The facility is located at 1002 Jefferson Street, Suite 300, in Laurel.