Injections are a popular approach to pain management since they offer targeted relief for various conditions. They can help alleviate pain and improve your quality of life without the need for complex procedures or long recovery periods.

From epidural steroid injections to facet joint injections, this alternative can help manage the symptoms of chronic neck, head, and back pain. At Spinal Diagnostics, we understand how back and neck pain can severely impact your daily life. Our comprehensive approach to multiple conditions helps our patients find the best treatment plan for their unique cases.

If you are dealing with lumbar or neck pain and want to know if injections are the best alternative, contact us or schedule an online appointment.

Some of the key benefits injections offer to those dealing with chronic pain in the neck, back, or joints include the following:

• Immediate pain relief: Numbing the affected joints and nerves provides immediate relief and reduces inflammation.
• Anti-inflammatory effects: The injections help reduce inflammation in the affected areas, relieving pain and swelling.
• Improved mobility: These injections can enhance your range of motion and flexibility by reducing pain and inflammation.
• Long-lasting effects: The benefits of injections can last weeks to months. 
• Minimal disruption: Due to its minimally invasive nature, this procedure reduces anatomical disruption, reducing the risk of further complications.
• Short recovery time: Injections allow you to resume your normal activities shortly after.

The team at Spinal Diagnostics offers multiple types of injections to manage various chronic head and neck pain conditions.

Epidural Steroid Injections

Epidural steroid injections aim to reduce swelling and pain associated with spinal conditions. It involves the injection of local anesthetics medication into the epidural space around your spinal cord and nerve roots.

Epidural steroid injections are especially beneficial for symptoms associated with a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease. 

Selective Nerve Root Block

Selective nerve root block targets the nerves that may send pain signals into the brain, interrupting its transmission. Local anesthetics are injected near the nerves during the procedure, providing temporary pain relief. 

Facet Joint Injections

Facet joint injections target the small joints in the back of the spine that may be causing pain due to conditions such as arthritis, degeneration, or an injury. Pain is immediately reduced by injecting local anesthetics into the affected facet joints. 

Sacroiliac Joint Injections (Nerve Blocks)

Sacroiliac joint injections target the joints that connect the spine to the pelvis and transfer forces between the upper and lower body when walking or running. Pain in the sacroiliac joints may appear because of trauma, an infection, or pregnancy.

This treatment involves administering local anesthetics into the sacroiliac joint, reducing pain and inflammation.

Cervical Spine Injections

Cervical spine injections help reduce the symptoms of cervical facet joint arthritis, chronic neck pain, and upper spine pain. These injections target the facet joints, nerve roots, and cervical discs, depending on the source of pain.

Through administering anesthetics, cervical spine injections provide targeted pain relief and improve mobility. 

Injections can be an effective treatment option for those dealing with chronic pain in the spine, neck, and joints. Your doctor will consider multiple factors like your medical history, overall health, and your specific condition to determine if injections are the ideal form of treatment for you.

Consider the following points if you are interested in injections as a pain management alternative:

1. Conservative treatments: Before considering injections, it's common to initially try conservative treatments, such as physical therapy, medication, or rest. If these approaches have not provided sufficient relief, injections may be considered.
2. Specific conditions: Injections are often recommended for conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or facet joint arthritis. If you have been diagnosed with any of these conditions and are experiencing persistent pain, injections may be a suitable treatment option.

After undergoing an injection procedure for pain management, your doctor will provide aftercare instructions for proper recovery. Some general guidelines include the following tips:

• Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting during the first couple of days for your body to heal completely. 
• Mild soreness and pain may appear at the injection site. Your doctor could provide you with non-opioid medication options for your comfort. 
• Keep the injection site clean and dry to avoid the risk of infection. 
• Attend your follow-up appointments with your doctor to keep a record of your progress. 
• Gradually resume your regular activities by performing mild exercises and stretches. 

While injections are a generally safe procedure, and their complication rate is lower than other procedures, some potential side effects and risks associated with them include:

• Temporary discomfort that usually disappears within a few days and can be managed with medication
• Infection that could appear due to improper hygiene with symptoms such as redness, swelling, or drainage
• Allergic reactions that could show up as a reaction to the medication in the injection
• Nerve damage that may appear in extremely rare cases 

At Spinal Diagnostics, we focus on spinal and neuropathic pain management. Our team of specialists is a recognized leader in clinical research and offers you updated diagnostic processes and treatment options.

We have dedicated our practice to improving our patient’s quality of life without using opiate medications or traditional spine surgery. Over ten years of experience makes us the top choice for those with back and neck pain.

If you want to learn more about treatment options using targeted injections, call us, schedule an appointment online, or visit our locations in Tualatin and Newberg in Oregon.