Treatment Case Studies
& Blog

Column Treatment Case Report No.277 | ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka Clinic)

October 23, 2026

The patient

A male patient in his 20s.

The patient’s medical history to date

The patient had been experiencing lower back pain, as well as pain and numbness in the left lower limb, for the past nine months.

An MRI taken at another hospital led to a diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation and sciatica.

He takes painkillers from the morning on, and after standing for 2 to 3 hours the pain becomes more manageable.

However, once the medication wore off, the pain returns, and that endless cycle starts again.

The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve symptoms.

Pre-treatment symptoms

Turning over in bed: Slightly difficult

Standing up: Slightly difficult

Washing the face: Slightly difficult

Stooping posture / standing for a prolonged time: Very difficult

Sitting for a long time: Very difficult

Lifting or holding heavy objects: Very difficult

・Pain levels before treatment

Lower backLower limbsNumbnessButtocks
Pain level6778

No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.

Main areas of symptoms: lower back and buttocks to the left lower limb.

Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination

Imaging and findings

  • L5/s: Disc degeneration, disc herniation

The above findings were also observed on the imaging.

Compression of the spinal canal due to the disc findings at L5/s is highly likely to be the cause of the symptoms.

Treatment

After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L5/s.

The treatment was performed by our administrative director, Dr. Kotera.

The treatment took about 20 minutes.

After resting in the recovery room, the patient walked out of the clinic on his own.

Our Clinics’ Treatment

Here is supplementary information about the Cellgel Method introduced in this case.

Cost of the Cellgel method: 1,320,000 yen per area (including tax) to 1,760,000 yen per 5 areas (including tax)

Risks and side effects of the Cellgel method: Transient pain may occur after treatment. Nerve damage is not a zero possibility due to the very nature of the treatment, but there have been no reports of damage so far in either report cases or publications. There is a very small possibility of allergic reactions to local anesthetics. Symptoms may temporarily worsen during the first week or two after treatment. This is believed to be due to the decompression effect of the implant, which retracts the surrounding tissues. In addition, if the disc is almost completely collapsed, treatment may be difficult. The doctor hold a consultation with you during your visit to the clinic to determine the best treatment option for your condition.

For more detailed information, please refer to the following links:

Blog page explaining the Cellgel Method in an easy-to-understand manner
The Cellgel Method on our treatment methods page

Treatment Case Studies & Blog