Hydrodissection: A Gentle, Regenerative Option for Nerve Pain Relief
If you’re struggling with chronic nerve pain like sciatica or carpal tunnel, hydrodissection may be the quick, natural, and regenerative relief you’ve been waiting for—no cortisone, no surgery, just ultrasound-guided injections that free compressed nerves and restore normal movement and blood flow.
At Joy Wellness Partners, one of the first treatments we ever offered back in 2017 was hydrodissection. Why? Because it works. It’s one of the most elegant and effective ways to treat nerve compression—and we’ve seen firsthand how it can change lives.
A Gentle History with Powerful Results
Hydrodissection may sound like a high-tech, futuristic therapy, but it’s really quite simple: it’s the act of using fluid to gently separate tissues in the body that are stuck together or causing compression—often involving nerves. Historically, the concept stems from surgical “dissection” techniques where tissues are cut apart. But with hydrodissection, we use fluid, not scalpels, making it a minimally invasive and highly targeted therapy.
In our clinic, we use a sterile solution that typically includes saline, a little dextrose (sugar water), vitamin B12, and sometimes a touch of lidocaine or sodium bicarbonate to balance the pH. This solution is injected with a small needle under ultrasound guidance into areas where a nerve is trapped between tight muscles or fascia.
The Sciatica Solution
Let’s take one of the most common pain complaints we see—sciatica. When I worked in emergency medicine, patients would flood the ER with sciatica pain, desperate for relief from the sharp, radiating sensation that starts in the buttocks and shoots down the leg. It can cause tingling, numbness, weakness, and even difficulty walking.
Standard Western treatments? Cortisone injections. Toradol. Gabapentin. Sometimes narcotics like Norco or Percocet. While these may mask the pain, they don’t resolve the root issue. Enter hydrodissection.
With hydrodissection, we gently inject fluid around the sciatic nerve—picture the nerve like a telephone cable caught in a spiderweb of fascia. The fluid acts like scissors, freeing the nerve from those sticky web-like restrictions. You can see the difference immediately. Patients walk better, lift their legs more easily, and often feel dramatic pain relief right on the table.
And if the nerve has been compressed for a long time and needs extra help to regenerate, we may layer in biologic therapies like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or other advanced regenerative injections to further nourish and heal the nerve.
Carpal Tunnel: Another Game-Changer
Hydrodissection is also incredibly effective in carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects the median nerve in the wrist. Often caused by repetitive motion like typing, the swollen tendons in the wrist compress the nerve, leading to numbness, weakness, and pain in the hand and fingers.
By injecting fluid into the carpal tunnel using ultrasound to visualize the structures in real-time, we open up space around the nerve, letting it breathe, move, and regain blood flow. In many cases, patients experience immediate relief, and when combined with regenerative solutions like PRP, the results can last even longer.
More Than Just Sciatica and Carpal Tunnel
Hydrodissection can be used for many nerve compression syndromes, including:
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome (foot)
- Ulnar nerve entrapment (elbow)
- Cervical radiculopathy (neck)
- AC joint pain and supraclavicular nerve irritation (shoulder)
In cases like cervical radiculopathy—where nerves are pinched in the neck and cause pain down the arm—ultrasound can help us measure the diameter of the nerve, locate the exact spot of compression, and treat it directly.
The Science of Nerve Healing
Why is hydrodissection so effective? It’s not just about pain relief—it’s about restoring blood flow to the nerve. Inside each nerve are tiny blood vessels and capillaries that nourish it with oxygen and nutrients. When a nerve is compressed, those vessels get squeezed shut. That’s when the pain starts.
By using fluid to relieve the pressure, we’re restoring circulation. It’s like stepping off a garden hose that’s been pinched. The flow resumes—and with it, healing can begin.
Ultrasound-Guided Expertise Matters
At Joy Wellness Partners, we pride ourselves on precision. All our hydrodissection procedures are guided by musculoskeletal ultrasound. We don’t guess—we see. We follow the nerve’s pathway, look for swelling or compression, and treat exactly where it’s needed.
One of our key team members, Dr. Michael Meng, is an RMSK-certified specialist—a rare and highly skilled designation in musculoskeletal ultrasound. His expertise helps us not only locate the exact spot of compression, but also track progress over time with follow-up scans.
The Power of Combining Treatments
Many of our patients have a “twofold” problem: a nerve impingement plus a ligament or tendon injury. That’s why hydrodissection is often paired with regenerative injections like prolotherapy, PRP, or even advanced biologics. We treat both the structure and the nerve—allowing tissues to heal and nerves to regain function.
One great example? AC joint instability in the shoulder. We treat the torn or stretched ligament inside the joint, and then hydrodissect the six supraclavicular nerves that run over the top of it—all in one visit. The result? Comprehensive, natural pain relief without cortisone or surgery.
Who Can Benefit?
Nerve impingement affects all ages, but it’s most common in adults. Whether you’re a young athlete with a sports injury, a busy professional with repetitive strain, or an older adult experiencing chronic nerve pain, hydrodissection may be a safe, effective option for you.
What to Look for in a Provider
If you’re seeking hydrodissection treatment, look for a provider with real expertise in musculoskeletal ultrasound and regenerative medicine. An RMSK certification is a great sign. Ask whether your provider is experienced in locating nerves, visualizing nerve compression, and performing ultrasound-guided procedures with precision and care.
Conclusion: Natural, Targeted Pain Relief Is Possible
At Joy Wellness Partners, we’ve helped thousands of patients get out of pain and back to life using hydrodissection. This technique—rooted in both modern imaging and natural healing—is one of the most powerful tools in regenerative medicine.
If you’re tired of band-aid treatments and want to address the root of your nerve pain, we invite you to schedule a consultation with our team. We’ll help determine whether hydrodissection is right for you—and create a personalized plan to get you moving, feeling, and living better.
With joy,
Carol Bender, NP, CEO, Founder of Joy Wellness Partners
