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Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy Radiofrequency ablation is another nonsurgical strategy Dr. Dentico uses to treat back pain stemming from arthritis, spinal stenosis or disc herniation. The procedure utilizes radio waves to calm nerves in the spine that are at the root of the patient's pain and stops the pain signals with a needle and guided X-ray. "The tiny sensory nerves that are sending pain signals up to the brain are ablated by cauterization technique," Dr. Dentico explains. "Patients may experience up to 12 to 18 months of pain relief." Physical Therapy Regimens On-site licensed physical therapists are among the practitioners available at the Spine Center at Northern Dutchess Hospital to enhance the accessibility of nonsurgical therapy offerings to patients with back pain. The McKenzie Method, a proven physi- cal therapy treatment protocol developed in the 1950s by Robin McKenzie in New Zealand, encompasses a series of exercises customized for patients under the auspices of the physical therapy team to stabilize and strengthen the spine while reducing pain in the neck and back. "The physical therapists at the Spine Center provide excellent McKenzie proto- cols for lumbar radiculopathy or low-back pain," Dr. Dentico says. "The key is really a spinal stabilization program, in which the spine is strengthened in many different places to reduce pain and improve function." Outpatient physical therapy through the Spine Center is available at Northern Dutchess Hospital's Rhinebeck main campus as well as its satellite campus in Hyde Park. "There are many approaches to physical therapy," Dr. Perkins adds. "They all involve specific exercises and techniques to keep patients from reinjuring themselves. The program is tailored with the highest-quality, licensed therapists in place." Complementary Therapies The Spine Center at Northern Dutchess Hospital, in addition to physical therapy, offers alternative and holistic approaches including acupuncture, and makes referrals for chiropractic care. These therapies may offer another form of pain relief without the risk of harsh side effects often associ- ated with prescribed medications. Acupuncture, derived from ancient Chinese medicine, is a therapeutic modality in which finely pointed needles are inserted in the soft tissue as a pain reducer, whereas chiropractic care focuses on mechanical manipulation and realign- ment of the spine. "I do refer patients to chiropractic care, and it is often successful at treating back pain and helpful in spine pathology, depending upon the patient's underlying problem," Dr. Dentico says. "Acupuncture is more for chronic back pain conditions or those patients concerned with the long-term efficacy or effects of medications. There are many options other than injections and surgery, as long as there are not underlying NORTHERN DUTCHESS HOSPITAL SPINE CENTER'S FULL SPECTRUM OF CARE TREATMENTS NONSURGICAL SPINE CARE + Acupuncture + Bracing + Epidural injections + Facet block + Medial branch block/sacroiliac block + Physiatry + Physical therapy + Radiofrequency ablation + Selective nerve root block MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGICAL SPINE CARE + Direct lateral interbody fusion + Laminotomy + Microdiscectomy + Microforaminotomy + Mini anterior lumbar interbody fusion + Minimally invasive surgical transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion + Percutaneous pedicle screw placement + Vertebral augmentation (kyphoplasty) OPEN SURGICAL SPINE CARE + Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion + Anterior lumbar interbody fusion + Cervical disc replacement (arthroplasty) + Corpectomy + Laminectomy + Laminoplasty + Lumbar disc replacement + Osteotomy + Posterior cervical fusion with or without laminectomy + Posterolateral fusion + Sacroiliac fusion + Spinal cord stimulator placement + Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion Dr. Dentico administers a lumbar epidural steroid injection for a patient with low-back pain. M D N E W S . CO M ■ MD NEWS Mid Hudson | 1 7