Back Pain Specialist

Explore Health

William D Nelson, NMD

Physical Medicine & Addiction Medicine located in North Scottsdale, AZ & Flagstaff, AZ

Back pain causes about 264 million missed workdays every year in America. It’s one of the most difficult challenges that many men and women face today, and in all too many cases, it becomes chronic and disabling. At Explore Health, regenerative orthopedics expert William Nelson, NMD, understands that surgery is a last resort for many back pain sufferers. Instead, he offers cutting-edge nonsurgical treatments that help you heal yourself so you can get back to your favorite activities. Call us at the Flagstaff or Scottsdale, Arizona, office or book a visit using online scheduling to learn more now.

Back Pain Q & A

What causes back pain?

Back pain may develop for many reasons, with some common causes including:

Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Stretching of the Pelvis during childbirth
Sports injuries
Instability and/or ligament laxity of the Lumbar spine or Sacroiliac joint
Age-related disc degeneration
Auto accident injury
Workplace injury
Fibromyalgia
Sprains and strains

Back pain can start suddenly or can gradually increase over time, depending on the cause. Sometimes, back pain that you expect to diminish over time ends up lingering far longer than anticipated.

When the pain doesn’t heal in the expected period of time and lasts for more than 12 weeks, it’s generally categorized as chronic pain.

Is back surgery the best choice for back pain recovery?

In most cases, back surgery is a last resort. Back surgery is often extremely costly, very complex, and highly invasive. After major back surgery, bone healing time takes 3-6 months in many cases, possibly even longer. Of course, you'd love to avoid back surgery if possible.

If you've tried traditional and alternative treatments without any meaningful success, you may think that surgery is the only option left. But regenerative orthopedic care at Explore Health is another path to healing, one that uses minimally invasive procedures instead of surgery.

In regenerative orthopedic treatments, Dr. Nelson injects natural substances to launch your body's innate healing abilities. These treatments help you heal soft tissue including ligaments and tendons while stabilizing your joints. Ultimately, regenerative medicine treatments improve your function while reducing or eliminating pain.

What is regenerative orthopedics back pain treatment like?

Dr. Nelson performs a number of cutting-edge regenerative medicine procedures for back pain on-site at Explore Health. Your treatment may include:

Prolotherapy

Prolotherapy is a type of injection that boosts healing ability. Injections are customized for your specific back pain, but they typically include a local anesthetic and often include saline, dextrose, and an analgesic.

PRP therapy

PRP therapy uses your own blood for treatment. Dr. Nelson removes a sample of your blood and then concentrates your platelets, the powerful blood component that stimulates rapid healing. By injecting a high concentration of platelets in your damaged back tissue, you're infusing it with massive growth factors to accelerate recovery.

Stem cell-derived exosomes

Stem cells are a kind of blank cell that can turn into any kind of tissue needed. These all-powerful cells secrete exosomes, which are crucial mediators that compel other cells to join your internal tissue regeneration efforts.

Dr. Nelson uses ultrasound guidance for perfect injection placement and maximum benefit to you.

If you’ve been told that you have bone-on-bone contact, or that you need back surgery, consider getting another opinion from a regenerative orthopedics expert. Many patients cancel their surgery because they find excellent back pain relief through regenerative orthopedics. Find out how Dr. Nelson can help you by calling Explore Health or booking with online scheduling now.