When most people think of spine treatment, surgery often comes to mind first. But in reality, not every case of back or neck pain requires an operation. For many patients, less invasive pain management techniques can provide lasting relief, improve quality of life, and delay—or even avoid—the need for surgery altogether.
VIDEO: Meet Dr. Workman
At DISC Sports & Spine Center, we see this every day. With both fellowship-trained pain management specialists and world-class spine surgeons under one roof, our multidisciplinary approach ensures that patients receive the right treatment at the right time.
Pain management is a medical specialty focused on diagnosing, treating, and relieving pain without necessarily resorting to surgery. This field has grown tremendously over the last few decades, thanks to advances in technology, medical devices, and treatment techniques.
By starting with these less invasive conservative care options, patients often experience significant relief without the risks and recovery time associated with major spine surgery.
Dr. Alexander Hersel, visionary pain management specialist and founder of DISC Surgery Center at Thousand Oaks, explained: "A lot of people are surprised at how much better they can feel without jumping straight to surgery. By starting with simple, less invasive treatments, things like therapy, targeted injections, or lifestyle changes, many patients get meaningful relief, and they don’t have to deal with the risks or long recovery that come with major spine surgery."
Dr. William Workman, based in Walnut Creek, explains: “We’re able to actually put what are called leads — wires, basically — above where the surgical areas intervene before the signals go up to the brain. And it stimulates what are called inhibitory neurons… this is basically like a pacemaker for the spine.”
This technology, known as spinal cord stimulation (SCS), is one of the most effective examples of modern pain management in action.
Spinal cord stimulation, also called dorsal column stimulation, is a minimally invasive procedure designed for patients with chronic back or leg pain that hasn’t responded to conservative care, or sometimes even surgery.
The procedure involves placing tiny wires, called leads, in the space around the spinal cord. These leads deliver mild electrical impulses that “override” pain signals before they reach the brain. Patients typically undergo a trial first, where temporary wires are taped to the skin and connected to an external battery.
If the trial is successful, a permanent system, often compared to a pacemaker for the spine, is implanted under the skin. Depending on the patient’s needs, the battery can be rechargeable or non-rechargeable.
“It’s a great modality when you’re talking about patients with severe pain,” Dr. Cohen said. “If they come back and say, ‘This is the greatest thing since sliced bread,’ then we’ll schedule them for the implant.”
This outpatient procedure typically takes about 60 to 90 minutes. Patients usually resume light activities shortly afterward and experience years of sustained pain relief.
While pain management techniques like spinal cord stimulation can be highly effective, some patients ultimately require surgical intervention. This is where DISC’s multidisciplinary model stands out.
Because pain management physicians and spine surgeons work side by side, they can seamlessly coordinate care. A patient might start with epidural injections, progress to a spinal cord stimulator trial, and only consider surgery if other treatments fail — all under the guidance of a single, unified team.
This collaboration has several benefits:
At DISC, this philosophy is built into our practice. As Dr. Hersel notes, even spinal cord stimulator implants can be placed by either pain management doctors or spine surgeons, depending on the patient’s needs and anatomy. This kind of flexibility underscores the value of having both specialties in-house.
Spine pain can be debilitating, but surgery isn’t always the answer. Thanks to advancements in pain management, ranging from injections to state-of-the-art spinal cord stimulation, millions of patients are finding real relief without the commitment and hassle of full-blown surgery.
At DISC Sports & Spine Center, our combination of expert pain management specialists and leading spine surgeons ensures that patients get the best of both worlds. By working together in a multidisciplinary model, our doctors provide safe, effective and highly personalized care, helping patients return to their active, pain-free lives. If you’re battling spine pain, consider setting up a consultation with one of our pain management specialists at DISC.