Pain Mapping

Pain signals are generated from nerve roots and travel neural pathways through our body. When nerve roots are compressed, they generate pain signals that can be felt in different areas throughout the body.

Patients with lumbar disc problems, for example, often report pain radiating into one or both legs. This is because the nerve roots that travel to our legs exit our spine in the lumbar chain. More commonly, however, chronic back pain patients present with several painful areas resulting from pathology at multiple levels. Further, many patients will have combinations of facet joint and disc problems. If a patient has a prior back surgery, there is likely to be scar tissue as well. Back pain is very complex and difficult to treat comprehensively and effectively – a statement that will not surprise any chronic back pain sufferer who has tried multiple treatments with limited or no success.

That’s why locating the source of a patient’s pain is the first step in the North American Spine treatment process. Developed by Dr. Ken Alo, the Pain Mapping system uses proprietary algorithms and neuro-stimulator technology to isolate the origins of your pain. This approach fits with our Company philosophy: using conservative, unique, innovative, and superior techniques to better treat your pain in a minimally invasive manner.

This is a unique, proprietary system that combines diagnostic algorithms with cutting-edge neurostimulation techniques and conservative pain management to isolate the origins of your pain without pain or lasting side effects. Only when an exact cause is known can the pathology be treated with the highest degree of confidence and provide the best chance for success. Here’s how it works:

• Day 1 – Personal consult with a physician. You will receive a full History & Physical and discuss your case history. Through a detailed series of questions, the initial course of diagnostics will be planned.
• Day 2 – The physician will apply neurostimulation to selected locations. While under twilight sedation, the patient is comfortable yet aware enough to respond and interact with the physician to precisely diagnose the origin of pain. The results of these diagnostics determine the course of treatment.
• Day 3 & 4 (as needed) – Based on the results of the Pain Mapping procedures, the patient embarks on a course of therapeutic treatments. These may include facet denervation, thoracic or lumbar discectomy, laser spine surgery, or other minimally invasive procedures.

The number and type of treatments will vary based on the individual case. Some patients may find they need less intervention than previously believed. If we can alleviate much or all of your pain without a surgical procedure, so much the better! Unlike some spine care centers that funnel all patients into a single surgery, our only goal is to get you back to your life and doing the things you love.