Question:
I've had chronic back and neck pain for some time. I've been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, a bulging disc, and bone spurs in my neck. I've had epidural steroid injections, physical therapy, and massage. My doctor now wants to try a nerve block for my lower back. He explained to me that it will narrow the problem down, and then he can burn the nerves using radiofrequency rhizotomy. Is this temporary? Do the nerves grow back?

—San Jose, CA

Answer:
Chronic neck and back pain are extremely common, but how you treat chronic pain can vary greatly. Nerve blocks and radiofrequency rhizotomy are just 2 treatment options on the neck and back pain treatment spectrum.

Numerous factors play a role in your symptoms: Degenerative disc disease, bulging discs, and bone spurs (called osteophytes) can certainly all cause pain. It sounds like the majority of your symptoms are...

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