01
Disc Degeneration & Herniation
Discs lose height and hydration with age or injury. Bulging, herniated, or torn discs can press on nearby nerves and trigger lower back pain or sciatica.
Open Hours
Tues - Fri 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Areas We Treat — Spine & Back
Advanced Care for Spine & Back Pain
Don't let back pain run your life. Interventional Orthopedics of Washington provides non-surgical, image-guided care for spine and back pain — focused on identifying the underlying cause, restoring function, improving stability, and supporting tissue healing.
- Physician-Led Treatment
- Image-Guided Precision (Ultrasound & Fluoroscopy)
- Using Your Own PRP & Natural Biologics
- No Surgery & No Narcotics Required
Understanding the Cause
Why Does Spine & Back Pain Happen?
Lower back pain is one of the most common health concerns in the United States, affecting a large majority of adults at some point in their lives. At IOW, our providers focus on identifying the underlying cause rather than simply managing symptoms — because back pain rarely has just one source.
02
Joint & Facet Wear
Arthritis and facet joint degeneration in the lumbar spine cause stiffness, inflammation, and aching pain that often worsens with standing or bending.
03
Instability & Ligament Injury
Weak or injured ligaments and conditions like spondylolisthesis let vertebrae shift, straining surrounding muscles, joints, and nerves.
04
Nerve Irritation & Muscle Weakness
Compressed nerves, cluneal nerve entrapment, and weak stabilizers like the multifidus can radiate pain into the hips, buttocks, and legs.
Care at IOW is guided by a biomechanical understanding of the spine, with an emphasis on restoring function, improving stability, and supporting tissue healing through evidence-based, non-surgical treatments — including regenerative medicine when appropriate.
Conditions We Treat
Common Spine & Back Conditions We Treat
Whether your pain stems from injury, wear-and-tear, or post-surgical complications, we treat a broad spectrum of conditions, including:
Arthritis
Lumbar Radiculopathy
Herniated or Bulging Disc
Sciatica
Degenerative Disc Disease
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Scoliosis
Spondylolisthesis
Annular Tears
Multifidus Atrophy
Superior Cluneal Nerve Entrapment Syndrome
Lumbar Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Our goal is to identify whether pain is coming from discs, joints, ligaments, nerves, muscles, post-surgical changes, or related structures so treatment can be targeted instead of generalized.
Surgery Guidance
When Is Surgery Needed?
Surgery is often presented as the first or only option, but at IOW, we consider it a last resort. Many patients with chronic back pain, degenerative disc disease, or even post-surgical pain can benefit from regenerative procedures that reduce inflammation, repair tissues, and restore function without undergoing the risks of surgery or long recovery times.
We’ll help you explore all evidence-based, non-surgical alternatives first, only referring to surgery when it’s absolutely necessary.
Why Choose IOW
Why Choose IOW for Spine & Back Pain Treatment?
- Regenerative Expertise: Our doctors are leaders in image-guided orthobiologic interventions.
- Comprehensive, Whole-Body Approach: We evaluate how all systems in your body interact to identify and treat the root of your pain.
- Avoid Unnecessary Surgery: We specialize in restoring your body’s function through natural healing, not surgical shortcuts.
- Precision Diagnostics: Every treatment is guided by ultrasound or fluoroscopy for maximum accuracy.
- Trusted Care in a Comfortable Setting: All procedures are performed in-office for your safety and convenience.
Specialized Anatomy
Spine & Back Areas We Specialize In
Our doctors’ advanced diagnostic methods allow us to target treatment to very specific anatomical areas of the spine and surrounding structures, including:
- Lumbar discs and facet joints
- Epidurals
- Sacroiliac joint and ligaments
- Interspinous and supraspinous ligaments
- Ligamentum flavum
- Coccyx joints and ligaments
- Cluneal nerves
- Gluteal muscles and attachments
- Multifidus muscles
- Caudal epidural region
- Scar tissue and post-surgical concerns
Visual Comparison
Healthy Spine vs Painful, Unstable Spine
Stable, Well-Supported Spine
- Well-hydrated discs cushioning each vertebra
- Strong ligaments and deep stabilizers keeping vertebrae aligned
- Healthy facet joints moving smoothly and pain-free
- Comfortable bending, lifting, sitting, and standing
Painful, Degenerating Spine
- Degenerated or herniated discs pressing on spinal nerves
- Lax ligaments or slippage letting vertebrae shift out of place
- Inflamed, arthritic facet and SI joints radiating pain
- Sciatica, stiffness, and pain that limits daily activity
Treatment Protocol
Our 2-Step Approach to Spine & Back Recovery
A physician-designed protocol combining precise diagnosis with targeted, image-guided regenerative treatment — tailored to your anatomy, lifestyle, and goals.
Advanced Diagnostic Evaluation
Finds the true source of your pain
- Detailed patient history and physical exam
- Review of any imaging results, including X-ray, MRI, DMX, and ultrasound — or ordering new imaging when needed
- Functional movement assessment
- Image-guided diagnostic injections to confirm pain sources
Image-Guided Regenerative Treatment
Stimulates your body's natural healing mechanisms
- Image-Guided Prolotherapy — stimulates tissue repair through a controlled inflammatory response
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) & Cellular Therapy — uses your body’s own growth factors and cells to promote healing
- Facet Joint & Epidural Injections — including interlaminar and transforaminal, to calm inflamed joints and nerves
- Sciatic Nerve Hydrodissection & Intradiscal / Annular Injections — target irritated nerves and damaged discs directly
- Percutaneous Scolioplasty & Scar Tissue / Hardware Treatment — advanced options for complex and post-surgical cases
Precise diagnosis. Targeted regeneration.
All treatments are precisely delivered using fluoroscopy or ultrasound guidance to maximize effectiveness and safety.
Your Journey
How Spine & Back Recovery Works
1
Comprehensive Evaluation
Your physician reviews your history, examines your spine, assesses movement, and reviews or orders imaging (X-ray, MRI, DMX, ultrasound) to identify the true source of your pain.
2
Personalized Treatment Plan
An integrative plan is built around your anatomy, lifestyle, and goals — targeting the specific discs, joints, ligaments, muscles, or nerves involved.
3
Image-Guided Regenerative Therapy
Precise, physician-administered PRP, prolotherapy, epidural, or nerve treatments are delivered directly to the problem areas under ultrasound or fluoroscopy guidance.
4
Healing & Functional Recovery
Over the following weeks, treated tissues strengthen and inflammation settles. Follow-up visits track your progress toward lasting, functional relief.
Expected Outcomes
What Results Can You Expect?
Gradual Pain Relief Over Weeks
Results develop progressively as treated tissues heal, with pain, tension, and stiffness typically easing over the weeks following treatment.
Improved Stability & Mobility
As discs, ligaments, and supporting tissues strengthen, many patients notice better spinal stability, smoother movement, and easier bending and lifting.
Less Sciatica & Radiating Pain
Treating irritated discs, joints, and nerves at the source may reduce pain radiating into the hips, buttocks, and legs.
Lasting Function — Without Surgery or Narcotics
The goal is durable, functional recovery that restores your daily life while preserving your natural anatomy and keeping all future options open.
Please note: individual outcomes vary based on anatomy, condition severity, overall health, and treatment plan.
Ideal Candidates
Who Is This Best For?
Chronic Low Back Pain Despite Conservative Care
A strong fit if physical therapy, chiropractic, or massage brought only temporary relief and your back pain keeps returning.
Sciatica or Radiating Leg Pain
Ideal for pain, numbness, or tingling that travels from the back into the hips, buttocks, or legs from an irritated or compressed nerve.
Disc, Joint, or Instability Problems
A good fit for degenerative discs, facet arthritis, SI joint dysfunction, or spondylolisthesis driving ongoing back pain.
Told You May Need Surgery — Want Alternatives First
Ideal for patients exploring every non-surgical option before committing to spinal fusion, ablation, or repeated cortisone injections.
Post-Surgical Pain or Hardware Complications
Ideal for patients dealing with pain after spine surgery, scar tissue, or hardware issues who want targeted, non-surgical support.
Best way to know: a personalized evaluation determines whether regenerative treatment matches your anatomy, condition, and goals. And if imaging reveals severe structural instability, we coordinate with trusted specialists for further care.
Take the First Step
Are You a Candidate for Non-Surgical Care?
In-person and telemedicine evaluations available. Find out if regenerative treatment is right for your spine or back pain — before committing to surgery.
Know Your Options
Why Consider Non-Surgical Care Before Surgery?
Surgery has its place — but it's rarely the only option, and it's never reversible. Here's what the research says about spinal fusion and back surgery, and how our approach differs.
Lumbar Fusion & Back Surgery
- Lumbar fusion carries meaningful rates of complications and reoperation, with many workers’-comp patients not returning to work1
- Fusion transfers stress to neighboring levels, and adjacent-segment degeneration is a well-documented long-term risk2
- Permanent loss of natural motion at the fused level, hardware risks, and possible revision surgery
- Weeks to months of recovery, time away from work, and frequent reliance on pain medication during rehab
- Repeated high-dose steroid injections — a common pre-surgical step — have been associated with tissue and cartilage breakdown in joint studies3
The IOW Regenerative Approach
- Minimally invasive, image-guided injections — no general anesthesia, no hardware, no fusion
- Uses your body's own healing agents (PRP, prolotherapy) to treat the source — not just mask symptoms
- Preserves your natural anatomy and motion — surgery remains an option later if ever truly needed
- Minimal downtime — most patients return to daily activity quickly, without narcotics
- Honest candidacy screening — if imaging shows severe structural instability, we coordinate with trusted surgical specialists
Treating the Spine as a Functional Unit with PRP
Sources:
1. Nguyen TH, et al. Long-term outcomes of lumbar fusion among workers’ compensation subjects. Spine. 2011. PubMed |
2. Adjacent-segment disease following lumbar fusion (review literature). PubMed |
3. McAlindon TE, et al. Effect of intra-articular triamcinolone vs saline on knee cartilage volume and pain. JAMA. 2017. PubMed.
This information is educational and not a substitute for individualized medical advice.
Patient Stories
Real Results, Without Surgery
“I’m hopeful that now I’ll be able to avoid spine surgery.”
Leslie B.
Spine PRP Treatment · Google Review
“He fixed issues I thought I had to live with for life.”
Jean C.
Chronic Pain Treatment · Google Review
“Since my treatment, my headaches have disappeared and my low back pain is gone!”
Stephanie D.
Low Back Pain Treatment · Patient Review
Individual results vary. Review excerpts may be shortened for display while preserving their original meaning.
From the IOW Blog
Keep Learning About Your Recovery
Not ready to book yet? Explore our latest articles on regenerative medicine, PRP, and avoiding unnecessary spine and back surgery.
Surgery Alternatives
Orthobiologics vs Surgery: When Regenerative Therapies Can Help You Avoid the Operating Room
How orthobiologics — PRP, bone marrow concentrate, and prolotherapy — may help patients avoid spine and back surgery.
Read Article
Regenerative Medicine
How Regenerative Medicine Supports Healing Without Surgery
A general look at how regenerative medicine supports healing and helps you avoid surgery for spine-related discomfort.
Read Article
Treatments
PRP vs Prolotherapy: Which Regenerative Treatment Is Better for Joint Pain Relief?
Comparing PRP and prolotherapy for joint, low back, and SI-region pain to help you understand your options.
Read Article
PRP Education
The Truth About PRP Injections and What to Expect Long-Term
What PRP injections involve, realistic expectations, and long-term recovery for lower back and SI joint pain.
Read ArticleIdeal Candidates
Who Is This Best For?
Chronic Low Back Pain Despite Conservative Care
A strong fit if physical therapy, chiropractic, or massage brought only temporary relief and your back pain keeps returning.
Sciatica or Radiating Leg Pain
Ideal for pain, numbness, or tingling that travels from the back into the hips, buttocks, or legs from an irritated or compressed nerve.
Disc, Joint, or Instability Problems
A good fit for degenerative discs, facet arthritis, SI joint dysfunction, or spondylolisthesis driving ongoing back pain.
Told You May Need Surgery — Want Alternatives First
Ideal for patients exploring every non-surgical option before committing to spinal fusion, ablation, or repeated cortisone injections.
Post-Surgical Pain or Hardware Complications
Ideal for patients dealing with pain after spine surgery, scar tissue, or hardware issues who want targeted, non-surgical support.
Best way to know: a personalized evaluation determines whether regenerative treatment matches your anatomy, condition, and goals. And if imaging reveals severe structural instability, we coordinate with trusted specialists for further care.
Take the First Step
Are You a Candidate for Non-Surgical Care?
In-person and telemedicine evaluations available. Find out if regenerative treatment is right for your spine or back pain — before committing to surgery.