Reasons Why You Should Get an Epidural Shot for Your Back Pain

Reasons Why You Should Get an Epidural Shot for Your Back Pain
March 16, 2022

When it comes to treating low back pain, there are various treatment options, including pain medication and physical therapy. This may include epidural shots too. It’s an effective option that provides you instant relief by reducing inflammation and pain. These shots are usually a combination of steroids and numbing medication.

Epidural shots for back pain are thought to have therapeutic effects. Epidural corticosteroid injections appear to be relatively simple and safe, according to reports from thousands of patients.

Why Epidural Injections Work for Back Pain?

Epidural shots for back pain target a specific area of your spine and deliver medication. Having a professional who is experienced in administering epidural shots can ensure optimal results. Keep reading to learn why you should consider them for your low back pain.

  • An epidural shot is considered to be minimally invasive. It offers you a certain relief by numbing your spinal nerves. It contains corticosteroids and numbing anesthetic. The purpose of corticosteroids is to coat the nerve roots which are inflamed. Since the medication is anti-inflammatory, it reduces nerve irritation as well as swelling. It can provide you with relief for up to several hours.

  • Compared to pain medication, epidural shots are far more effective. Since Corticosteroids can start to work almost immediately, you will get an instant result. You can have these shots six times in a year, which is absolutely safe. This can help you get back to work and maintain a comfortable life.

  • Epidural shots for back pain can also help you detect the source of your discomfort. Since it targets a specific nerve, getting relief means it has successfully worked. Although there are certain circumstances when these shots aren’t effective, your doctor may advise you to go for a surgical procedure.

  • Epidural shots may limit the use of oral medication. There may be less need for long-term oral medications if these injections are used, some of which have potential side effects.

  • Epidural shots allow patients to re-enter or continue physical therapy if necessary. For some patients, a rehabilitative physical therapy program may be possible after receiving this injection of painkillers.

  • After receiving lumbar epidural steroid injections, pain relief may help postpone surgery or completely remove the need for surgical intervention if physical therapy is effective.

  • Epidural shots may relieve pain and inflammation caused by nerves.

It’s found that at least 7 out of 10 people get relief when they go through an epidural shot. If your pain doesn’t relieve after a shot, no additional shots will help.

Epidural shot for back pain

Suffering from Low Back Pain?

If you’ve been suffering from low back pain that hasn’t gone away, you should visit Oklahoma Spine & Pain Management. Our pain management specialists will help you decide whether epidural shots can help. Contact us today to make an appointment.

**Disclaimer: This content should not be considered medical advice and does not imply a doctor-patient relationship.

Darryl D. Robinson, MD

Medical Director

About Author

Dr. Darryl Robinson, a Richmond, Virginia native, earned his undergraduate degree from Howard University, graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He went on to receive his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia in 1995. Commissioned into the U.S. Army the same year, Dr. Robinson completed his internship at Walter Reed and served as a General Medical Officer at Fort Stewart, Georgia. He left active duty in 1998 and remained in the reserves through 2004. After completing his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and a fellowship in Pain Medicine, Dr. Robinson joined Oklahoma Sports Science and Orthopedics in 2002. He has since been recognized for delivering comprehensive, cutting-edge care for pain conditions. In 2012, he was named one of the region's top physicians by Castle Connolly. Frustrated by the limitations of conventional pain treatments, he expanded his approach to include wellness-based therapies focused on nutrition, hormone optimization, and regenerative medicine. He later became a Certified Fellow of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. Also in 2012, Dr. Robinson was honored as one of the first "Pink Tie Guys" by the Susan G. Komen foundation in Oklahoma, recognizing his advocacy for women's health.
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