When to Consider an Epidural Injection for Neck or Back Pain

About 80% of people suffer back pain at some point in their lives. It’s a common complaint, and unfortunately, the causes behind it are complex — and finding treatment isn’t always easy.

Some episodes of back pain indeed heal on their own. But when that pain lasts weeks, months, or longer, it becomes chronic. Chronic back pain can limit your life, and it’s not unusual to find that many common treatments aren’t effective enough.

Dr. Vivek Babaria, DO, FAAPMR, of Orange County Spine and Sports Physicians, is double board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. At his practice, with offices in Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, and Carlsbad, CA, Dr. Barbaria sees patients throughout Southern California who suffer from chronic back and neck pain. 

A nationally recognized leader in orthopedics, sports medicine, and regenerative medicine, Dr. Barbaria and his team provide comprehensive spine exams to diagnose the source of each patient’s pain and devise a personalized treatment plan. 

If your back or neck pain doesn’t respond to first-line solutions, such as over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy, he may recommend a steroid epidural injection.

Here’s what Dr. Barbaria tells patients about this treatment.

When to consider an epidural for back pain

If you have radiating pain in your arms or legs, or if other treatments don’t deliver adequate pain relief, you might be a candidate for epidural injections. Epidural injections are minimally invasive, and they provide more powerful medication directly to your spine.

An epidural can be an ideal option if you have:

• Degenerative disc disease
• Herniated disc
• Radiculopathy
• Sciatica
• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis 

An epidural injection can treat inflammation, swelling, and a range of nerve problems that affect your spine and other parts of your body.

Getting an epidural injection for back pain

Epidural steroid injections for back pain combine a local anesthetic with a corticosteroid. The local anesthetic starts providing pain relief right away, and the corticosteroid offers longer-lasting relief.

If you choose to get an epidural for your back pain, we administer the injection on an outpatient basis. The procedure takes under an hour, you’re observed for about 15-20 minutes, and then you’re free to go home.

You lie down on an X-ray table, and our team prepares your skin for the injection. Then, your doctor inserts a needle into the epidural space of your spine, using X-ray imaging to achieve precise placement.

The injection itself takes just a few moments. You need to remain still, but it shouldn’t be painful. Once you’re released from the office, you should begin noticing the effects of the injection. The corticosteroid may take a few days to start working, and the pain relief you experience can last up to several months.

Chronic back pain doesn’t have to limit your life. Find out if you’re a candidate for an epidural injection with a consultation at Orange County Spine and Sports Physicians. Call the office closest to you or use the online booking tool to request an appointment.