Betsy Gottlieb, NP-C and Jarrod Friedman, M.D.
Pain Management
You may think you have no options if you’re told that you’re not a candidate for major back surgery. Now, CoreSmart Pain Health Institute in Boca Raton and West Palm Beach can help you. They offer two minimally invasive back procedures.
MILD (minimally invasive lumbar decompression) is ideal for patients who aren’t candidates for major spine surgery or have unsuccessfully tried Physical Therapy for back and leg pain. It’s also an option for those who are told they’re too old for surgery or for young folks who want a quick recovery and don’t want a major surgery. The 15- to 20-minute procedure is done at a surgical center. You’re put into a gentle sleep and you can go home the same day. You’ll be back on your feet in seven to 10 days; risks are similar to an epidural. “Let pain be your guide, but some people even go back to work the next day,” says Jarrod Friedman, M.D., founder of Coresmart Pain Health Institute.
ION is another option for minimally invasive surgery. Here, a small screw is used to stabilize joints and segments of the spine. Again, you will be home the same day and recover in just a few weeks’ time. “It’s a nice alternative to spine surgery.”
MILD and ION can also be combined in the same surgery. “They’re great techniques that work well when combined,” says Dr. Friedman. “They improve the quality of life for people who aren’t candidates for traditional surgery.”
Dr. Friedman is double board certified in both Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation as well as Pain Medicine. Dr. Friedman developed, launched and directed Pain Management programs for Johns Hopkins University Hospital System, where he also taught.
Dr. Friedman doesn’t just address a medical diagnosis. He works to find an issue’s underlying cause. “Each patient’s treatment is different. You need different tools to control pain for different situations,” he says. “Everyone’s needs are unique.”
That approach is why patients often come to him for a second opinion — and stick with him. “The greatest success is when you see someone in the community enjoying themselves and not in your office. That’s what you live for.”
Location: 5458 Town Center Road, Ste. 103, Boca Raton, 561-923-9599; cure4pain.com
Board Certified: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pain Medicine
Special Interests: Spine and Peripheral Joint Disorders
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