The non-narcotic, spine and nerve pain, Osteopathic Manipulation, Trigger Point Injections, Nerve Testing, EMG MD in Oklahoma City

The Non-narcotic, Spine and Nerve Pain, Osteopathic Manipulation, Trigger Point Injections, Nerve Testing, EMG MD in Oklahoma City

Non-Narcotic Spine And Nerve Pain MD

About

Dr. Hancock

Dr. Hancock graduated from Cornell University in 1987 with a degree in biology and later attended the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, where she was awarded a grant through the National Institute of Health to conduct research for an additional two years during medical school. 

Since 1998, Dr. Hancock has served the South Oklahoma City and Norman areas as a spine and nerve pain specialist. Board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) and sub-specialty board-certified in Pain Medicine.

The Process

Evaluation of Joint, Spine, and Nerve Pain

In addition to reviewing your intake paperwork and records from other physicians, taking a relevant history, and doing a focused neuromuscular exam, Dr. Hancock may also consider whether initial imaging (such as x-rays) or bloodwork (such as to look for signs of inflammation or muscle disease) might be necessary to diagnose the cause of your pain problem.

How to Prepare for a New Patient Visit

Spine And Nerve Pain X-Ray

Conservative Treatments for Soft Tissue Pain

Osteopathic Manipulation.

If there are no contraindications, Dr. Hancock may consider performing gentle Osteopathic Manual Medicine (OMM) on your spine and joints. This is NOT the same as chiropractic and there is NO popping of the spine involved with the type of OMM she performs. Rather, she gently works on the soft tissues to alleviate tension to reduce your pain.

Trigger Point Injections for Soft Tissue Pain

Trigger Points.

In case you have painful knots in your muscles that are causing pain, numbness, tingling, or stiffness of your spine, trunk, limbs, or other joints, Dr. Hancock may inject those knots with numbing medicine (no steroids) to help alleviate your symptoms. These "Trigger Point Injections" (TPIs) can also help to diagnose whether your problem is due to nerve or muscle issues.

Pain After Conservative Measures

EMG Nerve Test

For patients with numbness, tingling, and/or pain, Dr. Hancock may perform an electrical nerve test called an "Electrodiagnostic study" (EMG). Common diagnoses for which this test is done include carpal tunnel syndrome, pinched nerves at the elbow, and pinched nerves in the neck or low back.

Spine And Nerve Pain MRI

Further Medical Testing

if Spine And Nerve Pain Persists After Conservative Measures

If these initial interventions fail to give you spine and nerve pain relief, Dr. Hancock may order imaging to look at your spinal joints, discs, and nerves, and/or she may refer you for spinal injections, if needed. Likewise, if she suspects that your condition might be “rheumatologic” (autoimmune or arthritis-related), she may send you for blood tests.

Non-narcotic, Spine and Nerve Pain

We Offer

NON-narcotic Treatments Only!

Dr. Hancock’s practice focus is on fixing problems with her hands, where possible, NOT on prescribing habit-forming narcotics that only cover up your pain. If you wish for treatment with opioid medications or other controlled substances, please check with your PCP or anesthesia-pain management doctor. Dr. Hancock will gladly work alongside those other doctors who prescribe this medication for you, but she will not take over the prescribing.

we love them

what patients have to say