Iovera® Cold Therapy

What Is Iovera?

Iovera® is an innovative, FDA-cleared treatment that uses targeted cold therapy — a technique called cryoneurolysis — to temporarily block pain signals from specific nerves. Unlike medications that mask pain throughout your entire body, Iovera works directly at the source, providing immediate and localized relief.

The treatment requires no opioids, no steroids, and no surgery. It's performed right in our office in about 20–30 minutes, and most patients experience relief that lasts up to 90 days.

At Southern Comfort Pain & Wellness, Dr. Michael Kissel uses Iovera as part of our multimodal approach to pain management — giving patients an effective, drug-free option that can be used alone or in combination with other treatments.

How Iovera Works

The Iovera system uses a small, handheld device with a needle-like probe that delivers precisely controlled cold temperatures to targeted nerves. This process — cryoneurolysis — temporarily interrupts the nerve's ability to send pain signals to the brain.

Here's the key difference from other treatments: Iovera doesn't damage the nerve permanently. The nerve naturally regenerates over time, which is why the relief typically lasts 30–90 days. And because no drugs are introduced into your body, there are no systemic side effects.

Benefits of Iovera

• Drug-free: No opioids, no steroids, no medications of any kind
• Immediate relief: Most patients feel the difference right away
• Long-lasting: Relief typically lasts 30–90 days
• Repeatable: Can be performed again as needed without tissue-thinning risks
• Quick procedure: 20–30 minutes, performed in-office
• No downtime: Return to normal activities immediately — you can even drive yourself home
• Insurance accepted: Covered by many plans including Medicare for approved indications

Who Can Benefit from Iovera?

Iovera may be right for you if you're dealing with:

• Knee osteoarthritis — one of the most common and well-studied applications
• Chronic joint pain — knee, shoulder, and other affected joints
• Post-surgical pain — before or after knee replacement and other procedures
• Sports injuries — nerve-related pain from acute or repetitive injuries
• Patients who want to avoid or reduce medications — a true drug-free alternative
• Patients who haven't responded well to cortisone — a different mechanism of action

During your consultation, Dr. Kissel will evaluate your condition and determine whether Iovera is appropriate for your specific situation.

What to Expect During Treatment

Why Choose Southern Comfort for Iovera?

Dr. Michael Kissel brings over 20 years of experience in pain medicine and anesthesiology. His background — including service as Chief Resident and Chairman of Anesthesiology — means he understands nerve anatomy and pain pathways at the highest level.

In 2017, Dr. Kissel was named Physician Specialist of the Year by the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce for his commitment to fighting the opioid epidemic while still effectively treating pain. Iovera embodies that philosophy — powerful pain relief without the risks of medications.

At our practice, you're not a number. You'll receive a thorough evaluation, an honest discussion of your options, and a treatment plan that's built around your life.