An epidural might be a commonly heard term for us as pregnant women to get this as a pain-relieving injection before giving birth to a child. However, there are other uses of the injection as well. One of the primary uses is an epidural injection for back pain.
Our spine has a protective membrane outside it, and the epidural is just outside the membrane. The shot is used prior to and even after surgery as a pain killer. It can also be used to treat chronic pain. So, do you need an epidural injection to treat your back pain? Let’s find out:
Conditions That Can Be Treated
Epidural injections are not just meant to treat specific conditions. The drug is an anti-inflammatory that helps reduce chronic or sudden pain caused by nerve irritation. Due to various conditions, such as aging or external injury, the nerve roots in your spine may become pinched. This may cause pain in your back, neck, shoulder, or arm. An anti-inflammatory drug can be of much help. Not only does the epidural injection reduce the inflammation and ease the pain, but its mild anesthetic property provides instant relief.
Experience After Receiving the Injection
Sometimes, we are skeptical about using epidural injections for back pain. There is no abnormal feeling in general, apart from a minor tingling sensation or a little pressure right when you get the shot. Depending on the extent of the swelling, you may experience mild discomfort. Many feel the numbness till the next day. If you feel the discomfort is more than you can endure, let your doctor know about the problem immediately.
Benefits of Epidural Injections
There are many benefits of epidural injection for back pain. Some of them are listed below:
- Anesthetic property that relieves pain for longer
- Reduces the inflammation in the spinal area
- Reduces back pain so that daily activities can be performed
- This may delay the need for surgery
If you are looking for primary help in managing back pain, Oklahoma Spine & Pain Management can help you out.
**Disclaimer: This content should not be considered medical advice and does not imply a doctor-patient relationship.
