Services & Procedures

Pioneer Spine and Sports Non-Surgical Pain Management in Western MA

Comprehensive, Patient-Focused Treatments for Pain and Recovery

At Pioneer Spine & Sports Physicians, we provide advanced, evidence-based treatments designed to help you recover from injury, manage chronic pain, and regain function. Our team works closely with you to create personalized care plans tailored to your unique needs and goals.

We also offer in-house physical therapy, providing hands-on therapy, customized exercises, and functional training to restore mobility and reduce pain. For those wanting to maintain progress, personal training focused on strength, mobility, and endurance is available to support long-term health and wellness.

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Services & Procedures

  • Treatment option for patients who suffer from frequent, debilitating migraines that interfere with daily life.

    Who Is Eligible

    • 15 or more headaches per month, each lasting 4+ hours

    • Prior evaluation by neurologist or primary care provider

    • Tried and not responded to other migraine medications

    What to Expect

    • Injections in specific head and neck sites

    • Procedure takes about 10 minutes in-office

    • Fine needle feels like small pinches

    • Go home immediately afterward

    Treatment Plan

    • Initial series: 2 treatments spaced 12 weeks apart

    • Some relief within 4 weeks, full effect by week 24

    • Ongoing treatments every 12 weeks for continued prevention

  • Treatment option for patients with sports injuries, joint pain, or soft tissue conditions seeking a non-drug treatment.

    What It Is
    Class IV laser therapy uses light energy to reduce pain, improve circulation, and accelerate healing in muscles, ligaments, and joints.

    How It Works
    Laser light stimulates cellular activity through photobiomodulation, increasing metabolism, reducing inflammation, and supporting natural healing.

    When It’s Recommended

    • Chronic pain

    • Joint pain

    • Soft tissue injuries

    • Tendonitis and sprains

    • Post-surgical recovery

    What to Expect
    Sessions last 3–10 minutes. Most patients feel gentle warmth and may notice immediate pain relief. Treatments are safe, drug-free, and FDA-cleared.

    Treatment Plan
    Typically 2–3 sessions per week, with most plans ranging from 6–12 visits for lasting improvement.

    Safety
    Performed by trained professionals, laser therapy is safe. Protective eyewear is required, and side effects are rare and temporary.

  • Treatment option for patients experiencing numbness, tingling, weakness, or unexplained muscle pain.

    What It Is
    EMG and NCS measure how well your nerves and muscles function. These tests help diagnose conditions like carpal tunnel, pinched nerves, or neuropathy.

    How It Works

    • NCS: Small electrical impulses measure nerve signal speed.

    • EMG: A fine needle electrode records muscle activity to detect issues.

    Safety & Comfort

    • NCS causes only mild, brief sensations.

    • EMG may leave small bruises or soreness that usually resolve in days.

    • Infection is extremely rare.

    Before & After Testing

    • No dietary or medication restrictions.

    • Avoid lotions or ointments on the day of testing.

    • Remove jewelry.

    • Temporary soreness is normal; ice may help if needed.

    Why It Matters
    These tests provide critical information to help your physician create an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan.

  • Treatment option for patients with vertebrogenic low back pain that has not improved with other treatments.

    How It Works
    Targets the basivertebral nerve inside the spine using gentle heat to block pain signals.

    What to Expect

    • Outpatient procedure under an hour

    • Small incision

    • Most patients go home the same day

    • Quick recovery with lasting pain relief

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    Treatment option for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis causing leg pain, back pain, or limited walking ability.

    How It Works
    Removes excess tissue pressing on spinal nerves through a tiny incision without implants or stitches.

    What to Expect

    • Procedure under an hour

    • Same-day discharge

    • Fast recovery with improved walking and daily activity

  • Treatment option for patients with chronic nerve pain in areas such as the shoulder, knee, or back.

    How It Works
    A small wire delivers gentle electrical pulses to “reset” pain signals. A temporary system may be placed first, followed by a longer-term device if successful.

    When It’s Used
    Pain in the shoulder, knee, foot, or post-injury/post-surgery areas.

    Benefits

    • Reduced pain

    • Improved mobility

    • Less reliance on medications

  • Treatment option for patients with joint, tendon, or muscle injuries seeking natural healing and pain relief.

    What It Is
    PRP uses a sample of your own blood, concentrating the platelets to help repair injured muscles, tendons, and joints. This treatment taps into your body’s natural healing process to reduce pain and support recovery.

    How It Works
    Blood is drawn and processed to concentrate platelets. The PRP solution is then injected into the injured area to stimulate tissue repair and regeneration.

    What to Expect
    PRP injections, typically guided by ultrasound or fluoroscopy, are performed in-office, are quick, and cause minimal discomfort. Most patients can resume normal activities shortly after the procedure.

    Safety
    PRP uses your own blood, making it a low-risk procedure. Side effects are typically mild and temporary, such as minor soreness or bruising at the injection site.

    Results
    Patients may experience reduced pain, improved mobility, and faster healing in the treated area. Benefits often become more noticeable over several weeks as the body responds to the treatment.

    Coverage
    It’s important to know that PRP is considered an elective, regenerative treatment and is not covered by insurance, so patients are responsible for the cost.

  • Treatment option for patients with arthritis-related back or neck pain that has not responded to other treatments.

    What It Is
    A minimally invasive procedure that targets pain originating from facet joints, using controlled heat to disable the small nerves that carry pain signals, most commonly in the neck or lower back.

    How It Works

    • Diagnostic medial branch blocks confirm the pain source.

    • Tiny needles are guided using X-ray imaging.

    • Heat is applied for 60–90 seconds to block pain signals.

    Results
    Pain relief usually lasts 6–18 months. The procedure can be repeated safely if needed.

    What to Expect

    • Performed under local anesthesia, sometimes with mild sedation.

    • Temporary soreness or numbness may occur.

    • Normal activities resume the next day (except driving if sedated).

    Safety
    Minimal risks including short-term discomfort or temporary numbness. Serious complications are rare.

  • A treatment option for patients with chronic nerve pain, neuropathic pain, or failed back surgery syndrome, including painful diabetic neuropathy.

    How It Works

    • A trial device is placed to test effectiveness.

    • If successful, a permanent device is implanted.

    • Adjustable to manage pain throughout the day.

    When It’s Used

    • Failed back surgery syndrome

    • Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)

    • Nerve-related pain in the back, legs, or arms

    • Painful diabetic neuropathy

    Benefits

    • Significant pain reduction

    • Improved mobility and quality of life

    • Reduced dependence on opioid medications

    Safety
    Generally safe and well-tolerated. Benefits typically outweigh risks.

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Physical Therapy

Personalized Care for Musculoskeletal Conditions

How It Works
Hands-on, manual therapy combined with targeted strengthening and stabilization exercises to reduce pain and restore function. Patients are guided in home exercise programs for continued recovery.

When It’s Used
Spinal disorders, pelvic dysfunction, muscular pain, disc-related conditions, and sports-specific injuries.

Benefits

  • Reduced pain

  • Improved strength and mobility

  • Faster, safer return to daily activities or sports

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Pioneer Spine and Sports Physicians Pain Management & Sports Medicine Experts

We Welcome Workers Comp Cases

We understand that work-related injuries can be stressful and disruptive. That is why we provide compassionate, individualized care to help you recover safely and get back on the job. From thorough evaluations to tailored treatment plans including physical therapy, pain management, and advanced procedures, we guide you every step of the way. 

When activity restrictions are necessary, we collaborate closely with patients, employers, and case managers to define safe limitations while encouraging ongoing participation at work whenever possible. This approach helps minimize time away from work, supports proper healing, and reduces the risk of re-injury. By combining evidence-based care with a streamlined process, we make recovery more efficient for both patients and employers, promoting a faster return to function.

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