Am I a Candidate for the Discseel® Procedure?
This is the right question to ask — and the honest answer is that it depends on what's causing your pain, not just on how long you've had it. Here's how candidacy is generally approached, and what tends to make someone a stronger or weaker fit.
The kinds of situations Discseel® is designed for
The Discseel® Procedure targets pain that comes from tears in the disc wall and the leaking and degeneration that can follow. People who explore it often share a similar story:
- Chronic low back or neck pain that has lasted months or longer
- Pain that hasn't resolved with conservative care such as physical therapy, medication, or injections
- A wish to avoid or delay major surgery like spinal fusion
- Imaging or symptoms suggesting degenerative disc disease, annular tears, or a herniated disc
If that sounds familiar, it may be worth an evaluation — but a story alone doesn't confirm candidacy.
Why diagnostic imaging is central
One of the defining features of the Discseel® approach is that it doesn't treat blindly. Before treatment, providers use a specialized dye and imaging to identify which specific discs are actually torn or leaking. This matters for two reasons: it confirms whether disc tears are genuinely the source of the pain, and it targets treatment precisely to the affected discs. Someone whose pain turns out to come from a different source may not be a candidate — and finding that out is valuable in itself.
What can make someone a weaker candidate
Being honest about this protects you. Certain situations may make the Discseel® Procedure less appropriate, such as advanced structural problems, certain prior surgeries, active infection, or conditions better addressed another way. A responsible evaluation includes ruling these out. If a provider tells you that you're not a good candidate, that's a sign they're assessing you carefully rather than selling a procedure.
How the evaluation works
Determining candidacy generally involves reviewing your history and prior imaging, discussing what you've already tried, and — when appropriate — the diagnostic imaging step that identifies torn or leaking discs. From there, a provider can give you a straight answer about whether the Discseel® Procedure is a reasonable option for you.
At Emerald Coast Integrated Care, the Discseel® Procedure is performed by Dr. Gerald Mastaw — a retired Navy Lt. Commander and military physician, and a lead trainer for the Discseel® Procedure who trains other physicians in the technique. He serves patients and veterans across the Emerald Coast and Tampa Bay.
To find out whether you may be a candidate, call (800) 931-6086 or explore the Discseel® Procedure.
Where to Find the Discseel® Procedure
The Discseel® Procedure is available at both of our Florida locations, performed by Dr. Gerald Mastaw:
The Coast — Destin (Emerald Coast Integrated Care) 3999 Commons Dr W, Ste B, Destin, FL 32541 Serving Destin, Shalimar, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Crestview, Pensacola, and the greater Emerald Coast — including the Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field military communities.
The Heartland — Land O' Lakes (Veterans Spine and Discseel® Center of America) 16703 Early Riser Ave, Land O' Lakes, FL 34638 Serving Land O' Lakes, Pasco County, and the greater Tampa Bay area. View location details
Both locations: (800) 931-6086 · Mon – Fri, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm · Request an Appointment
About the Provider
Dr. Gerald Mastaw is a retired Navy Lt. Commander and military physician who serves as a lead trainer for the Discseel® Procedure, training other physicians across the country in the technique. As a veteran himself, he brings a particular focus to caring for the veteran and military community across the Emerald Coast and Tampa Bay. He performs the Discseel® Procedure at Emerald Coast Integrated Care.
This article is educational and is not medical advice. Candidacy for any procedure can only be determined through an individual evaluation by a qualified provider.