Back pain is so common that the U.S. National Library of Medicine predicts that 80% of Americans experience this painful condition at least once during their life. For many, the pain becomes a constant issue that limits mobility and makes completing even simple tasks nearly impossible.

The board-certified specialists at Optimal Pain & Regenerative Medicine®, with offices in Arlington, Cleburne, and Fort Worth, Texas, are well-known for their dedication and expertise in providing highly effective, nonsurgical treatments for back pain. One of the many tools in their kit is the epidural steroid injection.

Find out what these pain management experts have to say about epidural steroid injections and how this simple procedure can get you moving again.

What causes back pain?

Back pain is a common complaint that arises from a wide variety of issues, including strain of the muscles and other soft tissue structures of your spine. Conditions that are often linked to chronic (long-term) back pain include:

  • Narrowing of the spaces in your spine (spinal stenosis)
  • Degenerative disc disease, typically due to “wear and tear”
  • Irritation of the sciatic nerve (sciatica)
  • Arthritis
  • Declining levels of bone density/strength (osteoporosis)
  • Failed back surgery

Back pain can vary greatly in intensity and may make it difficult to complete even simple movements such as rising from a chair or rolling over in bed a painful experience.

Our goal at Optimal Pain & Regenerative Medicine® is to accurately diagnose the underlying cause of your pain. We then create a personalized treatment strategy that’s aimed at reducing or eliminating your pain and restoring mobility.

Your customized plan may include epidural steroid injections that can provide long-term pain relief, especially when combined with other rehabilitative treatments such as physical therapy.

How does an epidural steroid injection work?

An epidural steroid injection contains a mixture of a steroid and an anesthetic such as lidocaine. When injected into the epidural space of your spine, the anesthetic provides instant pain relief and the steroid decreases the inflammation that’s irritating the surrounding nerves.

What happens during an epidural steroid injection?

This in-office therapy starts with conscious sedation, which helps you feel relaxed but awake during the procedure. We also instill a local anesthetic to the treatment site to prevent discomfort during the procedure.

Once you’re ready, your Optimal Pain & Regenerative Medicine® provider uses X-ray imagery to guide a small needle to the targeted treatment site within the epidural space and delivers the medication. We keep you comfortable afterward and monitor you carefully as you recover from the sedative used before the procedure.

You do need to arrange a ride home from the office since it can take several hours to fully recover from conscious sedation. Otherwise, your provider will give you detailed instructions regarding physical activity after the injection. Generally, we ask that you take it easy for 24 hours.

For effective back pain management without surgery, schedule a visit at Optimal Pain & Regenerative Medicine® today. We’re here to help.