Methods, devices and systems facilitate diagnosis, and in some cases treatment, of
back pain originating in intervertebral discs. Methods generally involve introducing one or more substances into one or more discs using a
catheter device. In one embodiment, a patient assumes a position that causes
back pain, and a substance such as an
anesthetic or
analgesic is introduced into the disc to determine whether the substance relieves the pain. Injections into multiple discs may optionally be performed, to help pinpoint a disc as a source of the patient's pain. In some embodiments, the
catheter device is left in place, and possibly coupled with another implantable device, to provide treatment of one or more discs. A
catheter device includes at least one anchoring member for maintaining a
distal portion of the catheter within a disc.