FAQ

Most major Insurances including Workers’ Compensation of New Mexico accepted call us at 505-242-1711 and speak with our scheduler for more information

Most insurances do not require a referral call our office to verify if your plan requires

Yes, Dr. Esparza MD is bilingual as well as some of the staff

Most time we can get you in as soon as 1 week with our physician assistant Sean Portman could be a longer wait to see Dr. Esparza MD

Yes, we can evaluate your other pain issues and treat or if needed refer out, if treatment is out of our scope of practice

Neck exercises including stretching and strengthening to increase flexibility and improve posture are often first-line treatments for neck pain. Dr. Esparza MD will prescribe the appropriate rehabilitation exercises and might also recommend cardiovascular conditioning (“cardio training” such as exercising on an elliptical machine or stationary bike,) to improve your overall health and fitness. Getting more oxygen-rich blood to your neck and back is vital for healing.

Your exercise regime might be supervised by one of our physical therapists who often begins with heat or cold treatments, ultrasound or electrical stimulation, deep-tissue or trigger-point massage. The therapist will also show you ways you can improve your posture and biomechanics and give you stretches and possibly gentle exercises you can do on your own.

Epidural Steroid Interlaminar Injections (ESI) are used to calm inflammation and reduce pain so that you can take part in a rehabilitation program to improve your neck health. If Dr. Esparza MD determines that you are a good candidate for an Epidural Steroid Injection he will give you information and answer all your questions. The procedure is performed in the office and there is very little discomfort except some tenderness at the injection site.

In an ESI (Epidural Steroid Interlaminar Injection) a steroid is injected into the epidural space around the irritated nerves in your neck. The injection calms the inflammation and reduces pain. It takes 2-7 days to feel the full effects and how long they last depends on each patient. Side effects are few and rare. The goal is to reduce your pain enough so that you can make progress in your rehab program.

Cervical Selective Nerve Root block is prescribed when Dr. Esparza MD suspects that your pain is caused by an irritated nerve root in your neck. The irritation might be caused by compression or impingement (“pinching”) of the nerve from degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis or other conditions. This procedure lets the doctor identify the cause of your neck pain and can also alleviate inflammation and pain.

Cervical Facet Joint injections can alleviate pain caused by damage to the facet joints which are small joints between the vertebrae on the back of the spine. When they are healthy, the facet joints limit friction, support the spine and provide stability and flexibility. If they are inflamed you might experience pain when you bend, twist or flex your neck. Facet joint injections can accompany physical therapy, making it possible for you to strengthen the muscles around the weakened joints.

Medial Branch Nerve Blocks are used to determine whether your pain is caused by the facet joints of the spine. If the facet joints are inflamed, the medial branch nerves will relay pain signals to the brain. During this procedure the doctor will use contrast dye and X-ray guidance to see if the facet joints are causing your back pain. From here, Dr. Esparza MD can make the best decision about your treatment.

PRP Injections (Platelet Rich Plasma) is a process where a very small amount of your blood is drawn right before your procedure. It is spun in a centrifuge to concentrates the platelets in your blood. The product that results is rich in growth factors that have been shown to enhance the body’s natural healing process. PRP is safe and has been used to treat a variety of conditions for many years, (even cosmetic and procedures involving the eye!) Some advantages of PRP for neck and back conditions include faster healing, tissue repair, and even bone regeneration. By using your own blood you reduce the chance of blood-born infection and bring out your own natural healing abilities to treat your condition. Ask Dr. Esparza MD if this “cutting edge” technology is right for you.

Trigger Point Injections The neck is a common site for trigger point injections because the upper back and shoulders are often places where muscles can “knot” or spasm. Trigger points can be sore to the touch and can sometimes be felt as knots under the skin. The pain from these knots can be long-lasting and can radiate, causing pain in the extremities.

Trigger point injections involve injecting medication directly into a knot of muscles to reduce pain and inflammation.