Epidural Injections

What causes back pain?

Most people experience back pain at least once in their lifetime, but for many patients, the condition is a chronic problem. The most common causes of back pain include:

• Muscle strain
  
• Osteoporosis
  
• Ligament strain
  
• Scoliosis and other skeletal problems
  
• Arthritis
  
• Bulging discs and ruptured discs

Back pain comes in all forms and may not be as obvious as you think. Some of the most common back pain symptoms to watch out for include:

• Muscle aches
  
• Pain that radiates down the back of your leg (sciatica or herniated disc)
  
• Shooting pain in back
  
• Low back pain that feels worse when you sit for long periods of time
  
• Pain that worsens with movement
  
• Low back pain that worsens when you lift heavy objects

Early intervention is crucial when treating back pain, so talk to your doctor at Advanced Pain Management right away if you experience any of the above symptoms for longer than a few days.

What are epidural injections?

An epidural injection is essentially a shot of anti-inflammatory medication that is delivered into the epidural space directly outside of your spinal cord. This medication reduces swelling and inflammation around the spine, which relieves nerve pressure that may cause chronic back pain.

The effects of epidural last for about three months and gives your body time to heal. Without chronic inflammation around your spine, your nerve roots have a chance to repair themselves naturally, so you can enjoy your life without pain once again.

How are epidural injections performed?

After changing into a hospital gown, you can either lie on your stomach or side. The team may use multiple X-ray images (fluoroscopy) to help your provider place the needle in the perfect location for maximum pain relief.

Next, the Advanced Pain Management team injects you with the epidural. They may also give you a local anesthetic to numb the injection site before the procedure.

Epidural injections only take a few minutes. After the procedure, you must rest for up to 30 minutes, as the team needs to monitor your reactions to the epidural before you go home. 

It’s important that you have a ride home from the procedure. Some patients experience immediate relief following their first injection, but most people notice an improvement in their pain within the first few days.

If traditional treatments haven’t provided the relief you need to thrive, an epidural injection can help reduce inflammation so you can get back to enjoying life. Call Advanced Pain Management or book an appointment online to learn more