Alternative Herniated Disc Treatments In Coral Gables, FL

The discs in your spine are the shock absorbers between your vertebrae (spinal bones). They have a tough outer covering called the annulus fibrosus that encases a soft, gel-like substance called the nucleus pulposus. 

A disc herniation happens when the outer covering is ruptured and the gel escapes the disc. This causes the disc to put pressure on and irritate the spinal nerve roots or spinal cord, leading to pain around the area of the disc (localized pain) and causing pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness to radiate to the arms and legs (radicular pain).

Herniated discs are sometimes referred to as slipped or ruptured discs. However, they are not the same as a disc bulge or protrusion, where the gel-like material is still contained within the disc.

Medical illustration showing a normal or healthy spinal disc and a herniated spinal disc side by side.
Anatomy of a normal spinal disc vs. a herniated spinal disc side-by-side.

More conservative treatment options include acupuncture, physical therapy, prescription medications, and high-dose epidural steroid injections. While steroid injections can temporarily help the pain, they can cause severe side effects and reduce your body’s ability to heal.

If none of these work, the next course of treatment is usually back or neck surgery that cuts away a portion of the disc. However, this approach can leave the disc weaker and more likely to be injured again. The final option is often an extremely invasive spine surgery (spinal fusion) in which two vertebrae are permanently joined together with hardware.

Studies have shown that in the majority of cases herniated discs (also known as slipped or ruptured discs) the pain will go away on its own. The key is staying comfortable and being able to remain active while that happens.

However, a smaller percentage of people experience severe and longer-lasting pain. 

Our nonsurgical treatments for herniated disc problems can offer relief from lower back, buttock, and leg pain and numbness and tingling in the feet or legs. Downtime is a fraction of what it is with surgery and generally requires little or no opioid pain medications or time off of work.

Regenexx PL-Disc: Avoiding the harmful side effects of epidural steroids and back surgery

2020 Ponce de Leon
Coral Gables, FL 33134

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Doctors

I became a doctor because I love medicine plain and simple! I am fascinated with the human body, our ability to grow and heal and the numerous advances in medicine that allow treating physicians to play a part. I come from a generation of physicians, so I also feel a deep persona connection to the field. I personally like to make patients feel as comfortable as possible, that means knowing your audience and having emotional intelligence. Some patients like to laugh, some more serious but all patients want a doctor that knows what they’re doing and has compassion, which is what I strive to deliver during every patient interaction.

I was born in Miami and attended Belen Jesuit High school which built character and strengthened the foundation for my future career in medicine. I then attended the University of Miami School of Medicine where I helped found the MD/MBA program becoming the first MD to graduate from the dual program. During this time I studied business and the business of medicine, reinforcing my passion towards becoming a future entrepreneur and business leader. I then completed Residency in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at the University of Miami where I sharpened my skills in Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. I went on to complete an Interventional spine fellowship in Tampa followed by a regenerative medicine and Ultrasound fellowship In Napa Valley with the acclaimed Dr. Marko Bodor. I returned to Miami to practice where I continue to help my community with the knowledge I have gained.

I specialize in disorders of the spine and nervous system and also in Regenerative Orthopedics which utilizes the body’s own healing agents to promote healing of tears and other sports injuries using Ultrasound and Fluoroscopy guidance. I specialize in ultrasound guided injections because this is the only way to guarantee patients have the best outcomes as opposed to injecting blindly. I Also specialize in Anti-Aging Medicine which includes Metabolic weight loss, hormone replacement therapy for men and women, hair regrowth, and skin rejuvenation; by combining Anti-Aging Medicine with Regenerative

Medicine I truly feel I am able to offer patients a unique experience, not only in their healing process, but their internal metabolic functions and image. I want to help people live longer and healthier.

I love to play sports including basketball, tennis, and golf. I love to snowboard and I love boating. I am an entrepreneur who has created different products in health care and have partnered with many prestigious companies, one being Moroccan Oil, for whom I created a supplement line to support healthy hair and skin. I love to develop novel health products that actually work, and assist people in navigating the confusing world of medicine and health products. I am proud to be at the forefront of Regenerative medicine in Miami, and I hope to continue serving my community as much as I can.

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Areas Treated

Cervical Spine (Not Upper Cervical or CCI)*, Elbow, Foot & Ankle, Hand & Wrist, Knee, Lumbar Spine, Shoulder, Thoracic Spine

*This provider is NOT authorized by Regenexx to treat the C0-C1 or C1-C2 levels of the neck or CCI (craniocervical instability).

Below are MRI images of the outcome of a patient who had a Regenexx PL-Disc procedure to treat a subligamentous disc herniation. After the procedure, their pain dropped quickly, and they returned to their normal activities within weeks.

Scroll the arrow to the right to see the MRI of the disc before the Regenexx PL-Disc procedure — the white/lighter area indicates damage. Scroll to the left to see the MRI of the disc after. The images are two years apart from the original treatment date.

Herniated disc before and after MRI images 1

Herniated disc before and after MRI images 2

Older man working on laptop, smiling, looking at screen, drinking tea.

Join Chris Centeno, MD, founder of Regenexx, to learn how Regenexx procedures can help treat your herniated disc without surgery and lead to a faster recovery.

During this free webinar you’ll learn:

  • How procedures using bone marrow concentrate (BMC) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) compare to surgery and other spine pain treatment options
  • Procedure expectations
  • Answers to the most common questions about regenerative medicine treatments
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