APSI Wellness in Naples: A Complete Guide to Our Services That Reduce Pain

Introduction

Chronic pain doesn't just hurt — it steals time, energy, sleep, and the simple joy of moving through your day. At Advanced Pain & Spine Institute (APSI Wellness) in Naples, FL, board-certified interventional pain physician Dr. Magdalena Kerschner offers a comprehensive menu of evidence-based, minimally invasive treatments designed to do one thing: reduce your pain so you can reclaim your life.

This guide walks through every major service we provide, the conditions each one addresses, and how to know which treatment might be right for you. Every procedure listed here links to a dedicated service page where you can read more, review FAQs, and schedule a consultation.

Who We Are: APSI Wellness Naples

APSI Wellness is a dedicated interventional pain management clinic located at 9975 Tamiami Trail North, Suite 1, Naples, FL 34108. We serve patients throughout Collier County and Southwest Florida — including Naples, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Estero, and Fort Myers.

Dr. Kerschner graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine, completed her Anesthesiology residency at the University of Kentucky, and went on to a fellowship in Interventional Pain Medicine. Her clinical focus is precise, image-guided procedures that target the source of pain rather than masking symptoms with long-term medication.

Learn more about Dr. Kerschner and our practice, or browse our full service menu.

Our Treatment Philosophy

Pain is undeniable — but suffering is optional. That belief shapes every consultation, diagnosis, and treatment plan at APSI Wellness. We follow three guiding principles:

1. Diagnose first, treat second. Pain rarely has a single source. We use a careful history, physical exam, and advanced imaging review to identify the precise generator of your pain before recommending a procedure.

2. Choose the least invasive effective option. Most of our procedures are performed in our office under fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance, take 15–30 minutes, and let you return home the same day.

3. Build a long-term plan. Interventional procedures often work best when paired with physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and — when appropriate — careful medical management. We coordinate with your primary care provider, surgeon, and therapist to keep your care unified.

Epidural Steroid Injections

Epidural steroid injections deliver powerful anti-inflammatory medication directly into the epidural space surrounding irritated spinal nerves. They are one of the most studied and effective treatments for radiating pain caused by herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease.

We offer epidural injections at every level of the spine:

• Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection — for neck pain and arm radiculopathy from cervical disc or nerve root inflammation.
• Thoracic Epidural Steroid Injections — for mid-back pain and post-shingles (post-herpetic) neuralgia.
• Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections — for lower back pain and sciatica down the leg.
• Caudal Steroid Injections — delivered through the sacral hiatus, ideal for post-surgical back pain and lower lumbar radiculopathy.
• Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection — targets a single nerve root for precise relief of pinched-nerve pain.

Most patients experience meaningful relief within 3–7 days, with benefits lasting weeks to months. For many, a series of injections — combined with physical therapy — provides lasting improvement.

Facet Joint Treatments & Radiofrequency Neurotomy

Facet joints are the small paired joints at the back of each spinal segment. When arthritic or injured, they cause deep, localized neck or back pain that worsens with extension and rotation. We treat facet-mediated pain in two stages.

Step one — diagnose. A Medial Branch Block or Facet Joint Injection uses a small amount of local anesthetic to confirm whether the facet joints are truly the source of pain.

Step two — provide long-term relief. If diagnostic blocks confirm facet pain, radiofrequency neurotomy uses heat energy to interrupt the tiny nerve that carries pain signals from the joint. Relief typically lasts 9–18 months and the procedure can be repeated.

• Cervical Facet Radiofrequency Neurotomy — for chronic neck pain and cervicogenic headaches.
• Thoracic Facet Radiofrequency Neurotomy — for chronic mid-back pain.
• Lumbar Facet Radiofrequency Neurotomy — for chronic lower back pain from facet arthritis.

Nerve Blocks for Targeted Pain Relief

Nerve blocks deliver local anesthetic — often combined with steroid — directly around a specific nerve to interrupt pain signals at the source. They are both diagnostic (confirming the pain generator) and therapeutic (providing relief).

• Intercostal Nerve Blocks — relieve chest wall pain from rib injuries, post-surgical pain, or post-herpetic neuralgia.
• Suprascapular Nerve Injections — reduce chronic shoulder pain from rotator cuff disease and adhesive capsulitis.
• Sub-Occipital Nerve Injections — effective for occipital neuralgia and certain chronic headache patterns.
• Stellate Ganglion Block — used for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) of the upper extremity and certain circulation issues.
• Lumbar Sympathetic Block — relieves CRPS, peripheral vascular disease pain, and certain neuropathic pain of the lower extremity.

Joint Injections: Knee, SI, & TMJ

Joint pain — whether from arthritis, overuse, or injury — responds beautifully to image-guided joint injections that deliver medication exactly where it is needed.

• Knee Injections — corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections for osteoarthritis, meniscal pain, and post-surgical discomfort. A favorite among active Naples patients who want to stay on the tennis or pickleball court.
• Sacroiliac Joint Steroid Injections — target the SI joint, a frequently missed cause of "lower back" pain that radiates into the buttock and posterior thigh.
• TMJ Injections — reduce jaw pain, clicking, and limited opening from temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

Advanced Therapies: Spinal Cord Stimulation & Discography

For patients with severe, chronic pain that has not responded to conservative treatment, APSI Wellness offers advanced interventional options.

Spinal Cord Stimulator Implant — A small, FDA-approved device delivers gentle electrical impulses to the spinal cord, replacing pain signals with comfortable sensations or, with newer waveforms, no sensation at all. Spinal cord stimulation is uniquely effective for failed back surgery syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, diabetic neuropathy, and chronic radiculopathy. Every patient first completes a trial period to confirm relief before any permanent implant.

Discography — A diagnostic test that identifies whether a specific intervertebral disc is the true source of chronic back pain. It plays a critical role in surgical planning and in selecting the right candidates for advanced therapies.

Trigger Point Injections & Medical Management

Trigger Point Injections directly treat the painful, tight knots in muscle that drive myofascial pain syndrome and many tension-type headaches. The treatment is quick, well-tolerated, and often provides dramatic same-day relief.

Medical Management rounds out our service line. We carefully evaluate and coordinate non-opioid medication options — anti-inflammatories, neuropathic pain agents, muscle relaxants, and topical therapies — to support your overall plan while minimizing medication risks.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

Your first appointment at APSI Wellness is a thorough consultation, not a rushed procedure. Dr. Kerschner will:

• Review your medical history, imaging, and prior treatments in detail.
• Perform a focused physical and neurologic examination.
• Discuss the most likely diagnosis and explain your treatment options in plain language.
• Build a personalized plan — sometimes a single procedure, sometimes a sequenced combination of diagnostics, interventional therapy, and physical rehabilitation.

Ready to get started? Schedule your consultation or call 239-307-7087.

Conditions We Treat in Naples

Patients come to APSI Wellness from across Southwest Florida for help with:

• Chronic low back pain and sciatica
• Neck pain, cervical radiculopathy, and cervicogenic headaches
• Herniated discs and spinal stenosis
• Facet joint arthritis and sacroiliac joint dysfunction
• Failed back surgery syndrome
• Knee, shoulder, and TMJ pain
• Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
• Diabetic peripheral neuropathy
• Post-herpetic neuralgia and occipital neuralgia
• Myofascial pain and chronic muscle pain
• Cancer-related pain and post-surgical chronic pain

Why Patients Choose APSI Wellness

Board-certified expertise. Dr. Kerschner is a board-certified interventional pain physician with fellowship training in the most advanced techniques.

Image-guided precision. Every appropriate procedure is performed under fluoroscopic guidance to maximize effectiveness and safety.

Patient-first communication. We take time to explain your condition and your options so you can make confident decisions about your care.

A truly comprehensive menu. From simple trigger point injections to spinal cord stimulation, we can match the treatment to your condition — not the other way around.

Convenient Naples location. Easy access from US-41 with private, comfortable treatment rooms.

Conclusion

Living with pain is not the only option. With the right diagnosis and the right interventional treatments, most patients at APSI Wellness experience meaningful, lasting relief — often without surgery and without long-term reliance on pain medication.

If you are ready to take the next step, browse our full list of services, learn more about Dr. Kerschner, or schedule your consultation today. Call 239-307-7087 — we are here to help you reclaim your joy of living.