Column Treatment Case Report No. 239｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
March 21, 2026
The patient
A female patient in her 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient had chronic low back pain in her 30s.
In May 2025, she developed pain from the right buttock to the lower limb along with difficulty walking, requiring hospitalization. She underwent surgical removal of a herniated disc, which improved her symptoms and walking ability.
In January 2026, she developed pain from the left buttock to the lower limb. She was diagnosed with recurrence and was advised to undergo spinal fusion surgery, which she declined.
After learning about our clinic online, she visited us to improve her symptoms.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
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 on the left side, left leg.
Bending forward: Low back pain present
Bending backward: Low back pain present
Lasegue test: Positive on the right
Point of tenderness: Bilateral L5
Intermittent claudication: Negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Pain worsens when starting movement when waking up.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4, L4/5, L5/S: Disc degeneration
- L5/S: Lumbar disc herniation
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・Considering the clinical symptoms, the herniation at L5/S is highly likely to be the primary cause.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the PODD Method was performed on L5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Suematsu.
A needle was inserted into the intervertebral disc, and ozone was administered to complete the treatment.
The treatment took about 10 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk home by her own means.
Our Clinics’ Treatment
Supplemental Information about the PODD Method.
Cost:
¥330,000 (1 level, tax included) to ¥550,000 (up to 5 levels, tax included)
Cost in this case:
1 level = ¥330,000 (tax included)
There is a possibility of transient pain occurring after treatment. Due to the characteristics of the treatment, the possibility of nerve damage is not zero, but there are no reports of damage in our own cases or in medical literature. There is an extremely slight possibility of an allergic reaction to local anesthesia. Additionally, in cases where the intervertebral disc is crushed and almost gone, treatment may not be possible. Patients will consult with a doctor at the time of their visit to select a treatment method suitable for their condition.
Refer to the links below for additional information:
Our Clinic’s dedicated Page on the PODD Method
This article was written by: The Administrative Director of Our Clinic
