Column Treatment Case Report No. 179| ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka Clinic)
September 26, 2025
The patient
A female patient in her 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
Symptoms began about a year and a half ago.
The likely cause being frequent bending motions at work.
Although the pain wasn’t severe enough to completely interfere with daily life, it was a constant source of discomfort.
She previously underwent an intradiscal treatment at another clinic with no effect.
Currently, she manages the pain with nerve block injections at a pain clinic, but the effect only lasts for two or three days.
She came to our clinic seeking long-term symptom relief.
Pre-Treatment Symptoms
Difficulty with movements such as:
Turning over in bed (slightly difficult)
Standing up (slightly difficult)
Washing face (slightly difficult)
Maintaining forward-bent or standing postures (slightly difficult)
Sitting for long periods (slightly difficult)
Lifting/carrying heavy objects (slightly difficult)
・Pain levels before treatment
Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pain level | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10. Main areas of pain and numbness: lower back.

Bending forward: painful
Bending backward: no pain
Lasegue test: negative
Tenderness to palpation: 2/3、3/4、4/5 on the right side
Coughing and sneezing: no aggravation
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
Imaging and findings

- L2/3, L3/4, L5/S: Disc degeneration and protrusion
- L4/5: Disc degeneration, protrusion, spinal canal stenosis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Imaging revealed that the condition of the discs at L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S was compressing the spinal canal, which was determined to be the most likely cause of the symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L2/3, 3/4, 4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Ohara.

The treatment took about 50 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk home unaided.
Our clinic’s treatment method
Additional information about the Cellgel method we have introduced in this column.
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
This article was written by the Administrative Director of our clinic