Interventional Pain Management in Houston, TX
Chronic pain affects approximately 60 million Americans, limiting daily activities and reducing quality of life (NCHS Data Brief, 2024). If pain has kept you from working, exercising, or enjoying time with family, you are not alone. And you do not have to live with chronic pain.
At Performance Pain and Sports Medicine, our physician-led Houston pain management clinic focuses on treating the source of your pain, not just masking symptoms. Our physicians use minimally invasive, evidence-based procedures to target pain where it starts. This approach may reduce your reliance on medications while helping restore the mobility and active life that chronic pain has taken away.
Whether you are dealing with back pain, neck pain, nerve pain, joint pain, or chronic headaches, our team is here to help you find a path forward.
What Is Interventional Pain Management?
When chronic pain persists, patients typically encounter three treatment paths. Medication management can reduce symptoms but does not address the underlying cause. Surgery carries significant risks and is not always appropriate. Interventional pain management offers a third path: minimally invasive, image-guided procedures that target pain at its source.
Interventional pain management delivers treatment directly to the affected nerve, joint, or disc. These procedures are typically performed on an outpatient basis, often with only local anesthesia or light sedation.
The ASIPP has published comprehensive evidence-based guidelines supporting these procedures for managing chronic spinal pain (ASIPP Clinical Guidelines, 2021), and emphasizes them as preferred alternatives to long-term opioid therapy (ASIPP Opioid Guidelines, 2023).
Instead of managing symptoms indefinitely, interventional pain management aims to reduce pain, restore function, and help you return to the activities that matter most.
Conditions We Treat at Our Houston Pain Management Clinic
Our physicians evaluate and treat a wide range of chronic and acute pain conditions. Each patient receives a thorough assessment before any treatment plan is developed.
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. Back pain treatment | Sciatica
Neck Pain
Cervical disc problems, whiplash, and cervicogenic headaches can limit daily function. Neck pain treatment
Joint Pain
Knee, hip, and shoulder pain from osteoarthritis or sports injuries may respond well to 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
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. Dr. Wiederholz is among the first physicians in Houston trained to perform Discseel®. PRP | Discseel®
Procedures Available at Our Houston 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 (Dr. Wiederholz)
Chemodenervation (Botox)
Diagnostic & Additional
Not sure which procedure is right for you? Schedule a consultation.
Meet Your Houston Pain Management Providers
Our Houston practice is led by two physicians whose combined expertise covers the full spectrum of interventional pain management, regenerative medicine, and non-surgical spine care.
Suzanne Manzi, MD
Dr. Manzi is certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Pain Medicine, Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and Obesity Medicine. She completed her residency at 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 at Houston, Baytown, and League City. View full profile
Matthias Wiederholz, MD
Dr. Wiederholz is certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Pain Medicine, Sports Medicine, and Anti-Aging, Regenerative & Functional Medicine. He founded Performance Pain and Sports Medicine in 2009 and was among the first physicians in Houston trained to perform the Discseel® Procedure. He holds the designation of Master Discseel® Instructor, one of only a few Master Discseel® Instructors worldwide. A Houstonia Top Doctor and international lecturer, Dr. Wiederholz specializes in non-surgical spine care, the Discseel® Procedure, and regenerative medicine. View full profile
Jade Nicole Nemeth, PA-C
Jade Nemeth specializes in rheumatology and joint injections, supporting the practice’s comprehensive pain management team. View profile
Visit Our Houston Pain Management Clinic
Our Houston office is located in the T-Mobile Tower on the Southwest Freeway, near I-59 and the 610 West Loop. The Galleria area, River Oaks, and West University are all nearby.
Performance Pain and Sports Medicine
4126 Southwest Freeway, Suite 1700
Houston, TX 77027
Phone: 346-217-1111
Landmark: T-Mobile Tower, 17th Floor
Parking: Covered garage with validation provided
Hours of Operation:
Monday–Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Additional Locations
- Baytown: View Baytown location
- League City: View League City location
- Lawrenceville, NJ: View Lawrenceville location
Performance Pain and Sports Medicine
Address: 4126 Southwest Freeway, Suite 1700, Houston, TX 77027
Landmark: T-Mobile Tower, 17th Floor
Major Cross Streets: I-59 (Southwest Freeway) at 610 (West Loop)
Parking: Covered garage with validation provided
Phone: 346-217-1111
Hours of Operation:
Monday–Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Houston Office Tour
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. FSA and HSA accounts can also be applied toward treatment costs.
Some regenerative procedures, including PRP therapy, 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 Houston
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.
What are the types of pain management treatments?
Pain management treatments fall into three main categories: medication management, interventional procedures (injections, nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, spinal cord stimulation), and rehabilitative therapies. Our focus is on interventional procedures that address pain at its source.
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.
Does insurance cover pain management treatments?
Most commercial insurance plans, Medicare, and Medicaid cover medically necessary pain management procedures including injections, nerve blocks, and neuromodulation devices. Coverage varies by plan and specific procedure. FSA and HSA accounts can also be applied toward treatment costs. Our office staff can verify your benefits and explain any out-of-pocket costs before treatment begins.
What is the difference between pain management and pain medicine?
The terms are often used interchangeably. Pain management generally refers to the clinical practice of evaluating and treating pain conditions. Pain medicine is the medical specialty focused on this area. Both emphasize reducing pain and improving function.
Helpful Resources from Our Blog
For more information on specific pain conditions and treatments, explore these articles from our physicians:
Schedule Your Pain Management Consultation in Houston
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 Houston team is ready to help.
Take the first step toward relief:
- Call: 346-217-1111
- Online: Request an appointment
- Discseel® candidates: Complete the Discseel® intake form
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
