14 May Types of Spinal Injections for Back Pain Relief
Back pain can be a major roadblock in your life. Whether it’s caused by an injury, arthritis, or just wear and tear over time, dealing with constant pain can prevent you from doing the things you love. Thankfully, there are treatments that can help manage and reduce back pain, and one of the most effective options is spinal injections.
Spinal injections are a type of treatment where medication is injected directly into the space around your spine to reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling. These injections can be a great way to get temporary or long-term relief, depending on your condition. Let’s look at the most common types of spinal injections used to treat back pain.
1. Epidural Steroid Injections
Epidural steroid injections are one of the most common types of spinal injections used to treat back pain. The injection is placed in the epidural space, which is the area surrounding the spinal cord and nerves. The medication used in these injections includes a steroid, which helps reduce inflammation, and a local anesthetic, which provides immediate pain relief.
Epidural steroid injections are often used to treat conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and sciatica. These conditions can cause pressure on the spinal nerves, leading to pain that radiates down your back and into your legs. The injection helps reduce this pressure, giving you pain relief and allowing you to move more freely.
2. Facet Joint Injections
Facet joints are the small joints located between the vertebrae in your spine. They help your spine move smoothly and support your body’s weight. When these joints become irritated or inflamed, it can cause significant back pain, particularly in the lower back.
Facet joint injections contain a combination of a steroid and a local anesthetic. The injection targets the affected facet joint, reducing inflammation and providing relief. These injections are particularly helpful for people dealing with facet joint arthritis or degenerative disc disease. They can also help doctors identify if the facet joints are the primary source of pain.
3. Sacroiliac Joint Injections
The sacroiliac (SI) joint is located where your spine meets your pelvis. When this joint becomes inflamed, it can cause lower back pain, as well as pain in the hips, buttocks, and legs. SI joint dysfunction is often a result of injury, arthritis, or pregnancy-related changes in the body.
Sacroiliac joint injections are used to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief. The injection typically includes a combination of a steroid and a numbing agent. These injections are particularly useful for people who have persistent lower back pain that hasn’t responded to other treatments.
4. Nerve Block Injections
Nerve block injections are used to treat pain caused by specific nerves in the spine. These injections contain a local anesthetic and, sometimes, a steroid. The goal of nerve block injections is to numb the nerve that’s causing the pain, providing relief from conditions like radiculopathy or sciatica.
Nerve block injections are often used when other treatments, such as physical therapy or medication, have not provided enough relief. The injection can block pain signals from the affected nerve, allowing you to move more comfortably and return to your normal activities.
5. Discography
Discography is a diagnostic test rather than a treatment, but it can help identify the source of back pain. During this procedure, a needle is inserted into the discs of the spine, and a contrast dye is injected to check for abnormalities or tears in the discs. If the injection causes pain, it can help your doctor identify the specific disc causing the problem.
Although not a primary pain-relief injection, discography can guide doctors in making accurate treatment decisions. It may lead to other treatments, such as epidural steroid injections or surgical interventions, depending on the findings.
Spinal injections are a safe and effective option for managing back pain, especially when other treatments have not provided sufficient relief. These injections can help reduce inflammation, relieve pressure on the nerves, and improve mobility, allowing you to get back to your everyday activities. If you’re dealing with chronic back pain, it may be worth discussing spinal injections with your doctor to see if they are a good fit for your needs.
If you’re ready to take the next step toward pain relief, schedule a consultation with our team today. We’ll work with you to find the best treatment plan for your back pain and help you start living a pain-free life!