Managing back pain is difficult, as it often involves various parts of the body such as the spine, nervous system, and back muscles. Certain symptoms may be getting worse, making it harder and harder for you to effectively take care of yourself. That is why your local pain clinic has a number of different treatments that work to relieve severe symptoms of pain, relieve tightness, and calm any pinched nerves. Below we look at the pros and cons of pain injections.
Pros and Cons of Pain Injections
At CRPM, we offer a range of injections, including epidural steroid injections and radiofrequency ablation. These help patients better manage their pain by giving them a burst of relief through hand-delivered medicine. These injections have proven effective for numerous patients, making them a viable alternative to surgical intervention. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of pain injections, helping you plan the best route of care for yourself and your loved ones.
Pros of Pain Injections
Different injections are recommended for different diagnoses. As an example, epidural steroid injections, or ESIs, are highly recommended treatments for radiculopathy. This is a condition where pain radiates from the upper back downward to the buttocks and legs. This type of pain can be excruciating for individuals without access to treatment. The advantages of these pain-relieving injections include:
● Non-Surgical and Non-Invasive:
Pain injections offer a non-surgical and non-invasive approach to managing pain, making them a convenient treatment option for anyone who doesn’t want to go under the knife.
● Potential Pain Relief:
A transforaminal injectable may effectively alleviate back and leg pain. Certain types of epidurals offer more support and longer bouts of pain relief to help those with serious cases of joint and back pain.
● Controlled Inflammation:
Following the initial injection, cortisone shots are administered to control and reduce swelling or inflammation in the affected area. This can help support the healing process and allow the pain-relieving elements of the medicine to kick into effect much sooner.
However, it’s crucial to note that steroid injections may not always serve as a definitive solution for all types of back pain. Instead, they should be viewed as relief measures to temporarily get rid of pain while you form a long-term health plan with your pain specialist.
Cons of Pain Injections
Cortisone shots, epidurals, and other innovative injections can offer relief during the healing process. However, they do not serve as a cure or a long-term treatment for conditions like sciatica. Unfortunately, sciatica patients have to wait for the pain to naturally die down.
Additionally, several drawbacks and considerations associated with pain injections can include:
● Sensitivity of the Injection Site:
Trigger point shots and epidurals target areas of the spine where all of your nerves come together, making it one of the most sensitive areas of the body. Anesthesia is typically recommended to minimize discomfort during the injection process.
● Delayed Relief:
The effects of injections may not immediately appear felt. On average, clients need to wait a few weeks before feeling complete relief and comfort from their injections.
Appropriate candidates for pain injections often include individuals experiencing chronic pain in the spine or nervous system, where other treatment methods have not provided enough healing or relief. Additionally, those who have previously undergone nerve block injections might be interested in radiofrequency ablation. This serves as a more direct way of targeting your center of pain.
Schedule Your Pain Injections Today
If you’re unresponsive to physical therapy or other pain medications, injections could be the right move for you. Reach out to your local pain clinic in Orange County if you’re dealing with severe chronic pain and seeking a new approach to treating your long-lasting pain. From epidurals to trigger point injections, we offer the most advanced options in support of your better health. Contact us today to set up your first appointment with your local OC specialists.
