OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- Back or neck pain can be a debilitating problem, and research shows Americans spend more than $500 billion a year on healthcare related to these specific issues.
But there's a treatment offering hope without going under the knife. It's called the Accurascope procedure and it can be done in about an hour with the patient walking out of the clinic the same day -pain free.
Joe Berry knows what's it's like to live with pain. The former firefighter and current EMT was in constant pain. Berry says his neck pain made it difficult for him to move, and he was dealing with constant headaches.
He would even lose the feeling in his arm sometimes -making it difficult to do his job living patients.
"I have a Harley, I'm an active guy. I like to hunt. I like to fish. I couldn't even do those things." said Berry.
Berry had minor surgery, used steroid shots, and tried other conventional treatments, but he ran out of options.
He didn't want to take pain killers if he wouldn't be alert enough to work.
After doing some internet research he discovered the Accurascope Procedure performed by doctors in Dallas at North American Spine.
Berry was a good candidate. Doctors used a small laser the size of the tip of a mechanical pencil.
With a small incision on the front of his neck, using a small camera, doctors used the laster to target tissue that was protruding in his disc.
After the procedure Berry says the relief was immediate.
He says he's back to work without any pain, and he's enjoying his life again with his family.
"My Kids and even my wife have told me, it's nice to have the old Joe back."