If you’re experiencing back pain, you know that it can make everything from working to sleeping difficult. More adults in the United States have back pain at one point or another than do not, meaning it’s incredibly common.
If you have back pain and you’re worried about needing spinal surgery, you should talk to one of the expert providers at any location of Apex Medical Center. We specialize in pain management, and when possible, offer nonsurgical approaches. One treatment that may work for your back pain is an epidural steroid injection.
Your spine is made up of several different structures. You have vertebrae, which are separated by discs, and your spinal cord runs through the center. Nerves branch off of your spinal cord and run to various parts of your body.
Back pain can be caused by a long list of things, like muscle strain or a repetitive use injury. Conditions like arthritis can cause pain, and even being overweight or smoking tobacco can contribute to back pain. One of the most common problems, though, is related to the vertebrae, discs, and nerves that make up your spine.
If you have any kind of inflammation or swelling, or if one of your discs is bulging or ruptured, the tissues can press on your nerves where they branch off your spinal cord. That pressure can cause pain.
An epidural steroid injection delivers medication (the steroid) directly to the inflamed tissue, which eases the pressure and relieves the pain. Your doctor inserts the needle into the area that surrounds your spinal cord, which is called the epidural space.
If getting a shot into your spine sounds awful, don’t worry. We use a local anesthetic so that you’re comfortable during the procedure. Our providers are skilled and highly trained, so they’re experts you can trust.
Plus, the whole reason for the treatment is to ease your pain!
You may experience some soreness around the injection site for a day or two, but it goes away quickly.
We can’t really predict how well an epidural steroid injection will work for you, or how long the pain relief you get will last. But following your provider’s recommendations can help.
If your doctor suggests physical therapy after your injection, be sure to attend. Physical therapy can help you build stronger supports for your spine, and that can help prevent the swelling and pain from returning.
We may also suggest medications to help the inflamed tissue heal. Taking your medication as recommended can be a crucial part of your comprehensive treatment.
If you’re finding it difficult to participate in your normal daily activities because your back hurts, schedule an appointment at any of our three convenient locations, and let’s start looking for the comprehensive treatment program that helps you.
