Interventional Pain Management in Baytown, TX
Chronic pain affects approximately 60 million Americans, limiting daily activities and reducing quality of life (NCHS Data Brief, 2024). For the operators, mechanics, welders, pipefitters, dockworkers, and other working men and women who keep the Houston Ship Channel running, back pain, joint pain, and repetitive-stress injuries are part of the job. They do not have to be permanent.
At Performance Pain and Sports Medicine, our Baytown pain management clinic provides minimally invasive, evidence-based treatment for patients throughout Baytown, Mont Belvieu, Channelview, Highlands, Crosby, La Porte, Anahuac, and the broader East Harris and Chambers County area. We focus on treating the source of pain, not just masking symptoms, so patients can stay on the job, on the boat, and on their feet at home with their families.
Whether you are dealing with back pain, neck pain, nerve pain, joint pain, or chronic headaches, our local Baytown team is here to help you find a path forward without a 35 to 45 minute drive into the Texas Medical Center for every visit.
What Is Interventional Pain Management?
For working men and women in Baytown’s refinery, petrochemical, and Houston Ship Channel trades, chronic pain is rarely just an inconvenience. It is the difference between holding down a turnaround shift, passing a fit-for-duty exam, getting back on the rig, or watching a paycheck disappear while you wait on a surgical date. When pain persists, patients typically face three options.
Medication management can blunt symptoms but does not fix the underlying problem. It also raises real concerns for safety-sensitive operators, drivers, climbers, and equipment handlers, where opioids and sedating medications are not compatible with the job.
Surgery works for some conditions but carries significant downtime, infection risk, and the possibility of failed back surgery syndrome. For a Baytown worker, weeks or months out of the rotation can mean lost benefits, lost seniority, or a permanent change of duty.
Interventional pain management offers a third path: minimally invasive, image-guided procedures that target pain at its source. Most are outpatient, performed under local anesthesia or light sedation, and many patients return to light duty within days rather than weeks. The American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians publishes evidence-based guidelines supporting these procedures for chronic spinal pain (ASIPP Clinical Guidelines, 2021) and emphasizes them as preferred alternatives to long-term opioid therapy (ASIPP Opioid Guidelines, 2023).
For our Baytown patients, that translates into a practical goal: identify exactly what is generating the pain, treat that specific structure, and get you back to the job, the boat, the family, or the workout you’ve been pushing through.
Conditions We Treat at Our Baytown Pain Management Clinic
Our Baytown clinic evaluates and treats a wide range of chronic and acute pain conditions. Each patient receives a thorough assessment before any treatment plan is developed, with bilingual (English and Spanish) care available.
Back Pain and Spine Conditions
Low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide (Lancet GBD, 2023). We treat herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, sciatica, and failed back surgery syndrome. Refinery operators, turnaround contractors, longshoremen, and process technicians are particularly affected by chronic low back pain from repetitive bending, climbing, and load-bearing work. Back pain treatment | Sciatica
Neck Pain
Cervical disc problems, whiplash, and cervicogenic headaches can limit daily function. Common in welders, pipefitters, and instrument techs whose work demands sustained neck flexion or overhead postures. Neck pain treatment
Joint Pain
Knee, hip, rotator cuff, and shoulder pain from osteoarthritis, repetitive industrial work, or sports injuries may respond well to image-guided injections and regenerative therapies. Joint injections
Nerve Pain and Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy, radiculopathy, and CRPS can be managed with targeted nerve blocks and neuromodulation. Nerve pain treatment
Headaches and Migraines
Chronic migraines and cervicogenic headaches may benefit from nerve blocks and chemodenervation. Headache treatment
Pain Conditions Common in Baytown's Industrial Workforce
Baytown is a working town. The ExxonMobil Baytown Complex, the Chevron Phillips Cedar Bayou plant, Covestro, the Cedar Crossing Industrial Park, and the docks and yards of the Houston Ship Channel all sit within minutes of our office. The patients we see day in and day out are operators, mechanics, welders, pipefitters, instrument techs, longshoremen, stevedores, mariners, turnaround contractors, and the family members who keep them going. Their pain looks different from a desk worker’s pain, and the treatment plan needs to account for that.
Low Back Pain in Refinery and Plant Operators
Repeated bending, climbing column ladders, hauling tools and PPE, working in awkward postures inside vessels and tight equipment spaces, and long shifts on hard concrete all stack the deck against the lumbar spine. We commonly see herniated discs, annular tears, facet joint arthropathy, and vertebrogenic pain from end-plate injury. These respond well to fluoroscopy-guided epidural steroid injections, medial branch blocks followed by radiofrequency ablation, and the Intracept procedure for chronic vertebrogenic back pain.
Shoulder and Rotator Cuff Injuries from Pipefitting and Maintenance
Overhead work, heavy wrench loads, sustained gripping, and repetitive valve operation drive a high rate of rotator cuff tears, subacromial bursitis, and biceps tendinopathy among pipefitters, millwrights, and maintenance crews. Image-guided suprascapular and axillary nerve blocks, subacromial steroid injections, and PRP therapy are often the difference between continuing on the job and surgical referral.
Knee Pain in Longshoremen, Dockworkers, and Operators
Stair climbing on rigs and ships, jumping down from elevated platforms, kneeling on hard surfaces, and decades of cumulative impact produce early-onset knee osteoarthritis and meniscal injuries. Genicular nerve blocks and ablation, image-guided knee joint injections, and PRP therapy can extend the working life of a knee well beyond what traditional pain medication offers.
Repetitive-Stress Injuries in Welders, Instrument Techs, and Crane Operators
Cervical disc problems, cervicogenic headaches, ulnar neuropathy, and carpal tunnel are common in trades that demand sustained neck flexion, hand vibration, and fine motor work in awkward postures. We use EMG/nerve conduction studies to confirm the involved nerve, then target it with nerve blocks, peripheral nerve stimulation, or radiofrequency ablation as appropriate.
Workers’ Compensation, Return-to-Work, and Fit-for-Duty
We work with workers’ compensation cases for refinery and industrial injuries, coordinate with employer medical departments and case managers, and write the documentation needed for fit-for-duty exams, light-duty restrictions, and return-to-work clearance. Our procedures are designed to get patients back to the job at full capacity wherever possible, rather than leaving them on indefinite restriction or chronic medication.
Our Approach to Pain Treatment
Treatment follows a structured pathway: accurate diagnosis first, then targeted intervention.
Diagnostic Testing
Our physicians use advanced imaging review and electrodiagnostic testing (EMG/NCS) to evaluate nerve and muscle function, ensuring every procedure targets the right structure.
Injection Therapies
Targeted injections deliver medication directly to the source of pain: epidural steroid injections (transforaminal, interlaminar, caudal), facet joint injections, medial branch blocks, sacroiliac joint injections, and peripheral nerve blocks. Epidural steroid injections provide meaningful short-to-medium-term relief for radicular pain (Frontiers in Neurology, 2024). Learn more
Advanced Pain Procedures
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) uses targeted heat to reduce pain signaling, with significant reductions sustained at six months (Pain and Therapy, 2022). Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) was associated with superior outcomes vs conventional management (JAMA Network Open, 2024). We also offer intrathecal pain pumps and the Intracept procedure for vertebrogenic back pain. Learn more
Regenerative Medicine
PRP therapy was effective for knee osteoarthritis at six-month follow-up (Am J Sports Medicine, 2022). The Discseel® Procedure offers a non-surgical approach to disc repair and is available at our Houston office, a 26-mile drive west on I-10. Dr. Wiederholz, Master Discseel® Instructor, performs the procedure for Baytown patients referred from our local clinic. PRP | Discseel®
Procedures Available at Our Baytown Clinic
Each procedure is performed by a physician using image-guided techniques for precision and safety.
Injection Therapies
- Epidural Steroid Injection (transforaminal, interlaminar, caudal)
- Facet Joint Injection
- Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Injection
- Medial Branch Block
- Lateral Branch Block
- Genicular Nerve Block (knee)
- Femoral and Obturator Nerve Block
- Suprascapular and Axillary Nerve Block (shoulder)
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
- Prolotherapy
Nerve Ablation
- Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
- Genicular Nerve RFA (knee)
- Femoral and Obturator Nerve RFA
- Suprascapular and Axillary Nerve RFA (shoulder)
- Morton’s Neuroma RFA (foot)
Neuromodulation
Minimally Invasive Spine
- Intracept Procedure (vertebrogenic)
- MILD
- Biacuplasty
- VIA Disc NP Allograft
- Endoscopic Discectomy
- Endoscopic Rhizotomy
- Epidural Lysis of Adhesions
- Discseel® Procedure (performed at our Houston office by Dr. Wiederholz; Baytown patients welcome)
Chemodenervation (Botox)
Diagnostic & Additional
Not sure which procedure is right for you? Schedule a consultation.
Meet Your Baytown Pain Management Provider
The Baytown office is led by Dr. Suzanne Manzi, MD, Co-Founder of Performance Pain and Sports Medicine. Dr. Manzi is quadruple board-certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Pain Medicine, Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and Obesity Medicine.
Suzanne Manzi, MD
Dr. Manzi completed her residency at the Baylor College of Medicine / UT PM&R Alliance and a fellowship in Interventional Spine, Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and Pain Management at Michigan State University. She initiated the Outpatient Interventional Pain program at TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital and serves as Off-Site Clinical Faculty at UT Health Houston McGovern Medical School. She practices across our Houston, Baytown, and League City offices and treats patients in English and Spanish. View full profile
Performance Pain and Sports Medicine is a multi-location practice with additional offices in Houston, League City, and Lawrenceville, NJ, where patients also have access to Dr. Matthias Wiederholz, MD, Founder of the practice, who specializes in non-surgical spine care, the Discseel® Procedure, and regenerative medicine. Baytown patients evaluating Discseel® can be seen at our Houston office, a 26-mile drive west on I-10.
Visit Our Baytown Pain Management Clinic
Our Baytown office on West Baker Road provides convenient local access for patients throughout East Harris and Chambers Counties, including Mont Belvieu, Channelview, Highlands, Crosby, La Porte, Anahuac, Beach City, and Dayton. We are a short drive from the ExxonMobil Baytown Complex, the Cedar Bayou plant, Cedar Crossing Industrial Park, and Lee College.
Performance Pain and Sports Medicine
1650 W. Baker Rd., Ste A
Baytown, TX 77521
Phone: 346-217-1111
Cross Streets: West Baker Road near Garth Road, just north of I-10
Parking: On-site parking available
Hours of Operation:
Open by appointment Monday–Friday
Additional Locations
- Houston: View Houston location
- League City: View League City location
- Lawrenceville, NJ: View Lawrenceville location
Performance Pain and Sports Medicine
Address: 1650 W. Baker Rd., Ste A, Baytown, TX 77521
Cross Streets: West Baker Road near Garth Road, just north of I-10
Parking: On-site parking available
Phone: 346-217-1111
Hours of Operation:
Open by appointment Monday–Friday
Insurance and Payment Options
Performance Pain and Sports Medicine accepts most major insurance plans for medically necessary pain management procedures, including diagnostic testing, injections, nerve blocks, and neuromodulation. We work with employer-based plans common across the Baytown refinery and petrochemical workforce, as well as Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial insurance. FSA and HSA accounts can also be applied toward treatment costs.
Some regenerative procedures, including PRP therapy and the Discseel® Procedure, may be considered elective and are available on a cash-pay basis. Payment plans may be available for qualifying patients.
Contact us to verify your insurance: 346-217-1111 | Request an appointment
Frequently Asked Questions About Pain Management in Baytown
What qualifies you for pain management?
Most patients seek pain management when pain lasts beyond normal healing time, typically three to six months. Common qualifying conditions include chronic back pain, neck pain, joint pain, nerve pain, sciatica, and headaches. You generally do not need a referral to schedule a consultation. If conservative treatments such as rest, physical therapy, or over-the-counter medications have not provided lasting relief, a pain management evaluation can help identify more targeted treatment options.
Do you accept workers' compensation for refinery and industrial injuries?
Yes. Our Baytown clinic regularly handles workers’ compensation cases for refinery, petrochemical, Houston Ship Channel, and other industrial workplace injuries. We coordinate directly with employer medical departments, case managers, and adjusters; document procedures and outcomes for the claim file; and provide the language needed for fit-for-duty exams, light-duty restrictions, and return-to-work clearance. If you are unsure whether your injury qualifies as work-related, our front-office team can help you understand the process. Call 346-217-1111 to start a workers’ comp evaluation.
How do I know if I need interventional pain management?
You may benefit if your pain has lasted more than three months, limits daily activities, is not adequately controlled by medications, or if you want to reduce dependence on pain medications. Research supports the long-term effectiveness of non-surgical interventions (Lancet Rheumatology, 2025).
What should I expect at my first pain management appointment?
Your first visit begins with a thorough review of your medical history, imaging studies, and current symptoms. Your physician will perform a physical examination and discuss your pain patterns and treatment goals. Depending on your condition, diagnostic testing such as EMG/nerve conduction studies or additional imaging may be recommended. Together, you and your physician will develop a personalized treatment plan based on your specific diagnosis.
Do you accept referrals from local providers and Houston Methodist Baytown?
Yes. We accept referrals from primary care physicians, occupational medicine clinics, Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital, Altus Baytown Hospital, Harris Health System Baytown Health Center, and any other local provider in East Harris and Chambers Counties. We also accept patients without a referral; most insurance plans, Medicare, and workers’ compensation cases do not require one to schedule a pain management consultation. Imaging, prior records, and operative reports can be sent ahead via fax or secure portal so your first visit is focused on a treatment plan rather than paperwork. Call 346-217-1111 or request an appointment online.
Is the Discseel® Procedure available in Baytown?
The Discseel® Procedure is performed by Dr. Matthias Wiederholz, MD, Master Discseel® Instructor, at our Houston office, located approximately 26 miles west of Baytown on I-10. Baytown patients evaluating Discseel® can schedule consultations with Dr. Wiederholz at our Houston location, and follow-up care can typically be coordinated at our local Baytown office. To learn more, complete the Discseel® intake form or call our team at 346-217-1111.
What we offer
Services
Schedule Your Pain Management Consultation in Baytown
If chronic pain is limiting your daily life, if other treatments have not provided lasting relief, or if you want to explore non-surgical options before considering surgery, our Baytown team is ready to help. Local care for the men and women who keep the Houston Ship Channel running.
Take the first step toward relief:
- Call: 346-217-1111
- Online: Request an appointment
- Discseel® candidates: Complete the Discseel® intake form (procedure performed at our Houston office)
Our Locations
Choose your preferred location
The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual results may vary. Consult with your physician to determine the best treatment plan for your specific condition.
Last medically reviewed: April 2026 by Suzanne Manzi, MD