Reviewed by Kristen Reynolds, MD of Forum Health Mequon and Brookfield
Suffering with chronic back pain? You’re not alone. 80% of people will experience some form of back pain at least once in their lives and 85% of all low back pain (LBP) is non-specific. This means there is no proven cause shown by exam or imaging such as X-ray and MRI, leaving you feeling frustrated and in pain.
However, there is an innovative technique called Intraosseous therapy (IOT) introduced by esteemed European physician Dr. Artamonov in 2023, and its proving beneficial for those with chronic lower back pain, degenerative disc disease, and osteoarthritis of the spine.
What is IOT?
The basis for IOT rests on the vascular anatomy of the spine, mainly the central spinous venous system (CSVS). One part of the CSVS called Batson’s plexus is a set of interconnecting veins (large to tiny) that traverses the entire spine and drains into larger veins of the chest and pelvis.
Batson’s plexus is thought to be the crucial line of flow for lymph drainage and venous outflow of the spine and surrounding tissues. This drainage is critical for removing inflammation. In the setting of chronic back pain, the build-up of inflammation within this plexus most likely leads to congestion, which contributes to and enables the ongoing pain cycle.
How Does IOT Work for Back Pain?
IOT is a simple, safe, and nearly painless way of gaining access to the CSVS through an easily accessible bone at the top of the pelvis called the posterior superior iliac spine. If you place your hands on your hips, your thumb will rest on this part of the pelvis, at the lower back. The pelvis is linked to Batson’s plexus, and provides an easy, accessible way to improve the flow and removal of inflammation in the back.
- Targeted Delivery: A needle is inserted into a bone in the spinal region to access the bone marrow. Medications, such as anesthetics or anti-inflammatory drugs, are then injected directly into this area.
- Rapid Absorption: The rich vascular network within the bone marrow allows for the rapid absorption of these medications into the bloodstream, providing immediate pain relief.
- Regenerative Benefits: IOT can also deliver growth factors and other regenerative agents to the spine, which may help in healing damaged tissues and reducing inflammation.
Benefits of IOT
- Quick Pain Relief: IOT ensures that pain relief medications are delivered quickly and effectively, providing faster relief than traditional methods.
- Enhanced Healing: By delivering regenerative substances directly to the site of pain, IOT can promote tissue repair and reduce inflammation, potentially leading to long-term improvement in back pain.
- Reduced Systemic Side Effects: Since the medications are delivered directly to the targeted area, there is less risk of systemic side effects compared to oral or intravenous administration.
- Effective for Hard-to-Treat Pain: IOT is particularly beneficial for those with chronic back pain that have not responded well to other treatments.
Start Healing Today
Intraosseous Therapy (IOT) offers a cutting-edge approach to managing chronic back pain by providing targeted, rapid, and effective relief. By harnessing the body’s natural healing processes and delivering medications directly to the site of pain, IOT can help you achieve long-term pain management and improved quality of life.
Ready to experience lasting relief? Schedule your appointment today!
