How Quickly Do Injections for Pain Begin Working?

Chronic pain impacts your overall health, well-being, and quality of life. Fortunately, there are nonsurgical remedies that address a wide variety of pain symptoms, whether the source of your pain is in your neck, back, or other areas of the body. Here’s a guide to some of the most common, effective injections that can provide the pain relief you need to live a better life.

Cervical/Thoracic/Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections

If you’re suffering from symptoms like pain, numbness, or loss of mobility, your doctor may recommend an epidural steroid injection. These injections treat conditions like spinal disc herniation and spinal stenosis. A medical professional injects a local anesthetic and corticosteroid medication into the epidural space, or outermost area, of the spinal cord.

While the local anesthetic works immediately to provide pain relief, the corticosteroids work within a couple of days to a week, reducing inflammation in the surrounding area. Recovery time is often reduced in patients who start a physical therapy program shortly after the corticosteroid kicks in.

Cervical/Thoracic/Lumbar Facet Injections

Facet joints provide stability at each segment of the spine, guiding motion. They can become inflamed for a variety of reasons, including arthritis, stress, or any injury to the back. During a facet joint injection, your medical professional injects a local anesthetic and steroid medication into the facet joints. While patients experience immediate relief from the local anesthetic, it typically takes between two and 7 days for the steroid medication to take effect.

Selective Nerve Root Blocks

If you’re looking for long-lasting relief from back pain, a selective nerve root block may be the solution. Many people live with back pain due to compressed, inflamed, or irritated spinal nerve roots. Since they connect to the entire body, it’s often difficult to pinpoint the actual source of the pain.

During a selective nerve root block, a medical professional can isolate the problem nerve root under a fluoroscopic X-ray. When the doctor has determined the correct needle placement, she will administer the selective nerve root block just above the target area, injecting a local anesthetic (usually lidocaine) and a steroid like dexamethasone.

Most patients experience pain relief after the third to the seventh day following the procedure. Pain relief lasts from several days to several months, and most patients can resume normal activities the day after the procedure.

Pain Relief Is Just a Phone Call Away

No matter the cause of your pain—whether you’ve been in a car accident, suffered a sports injury, or anything else—the team at Impact Medical Group of Lutz is ready to help. We offer a wide range of non-surgical solutions for pain relief, including the effective injections described above. Call us today at (813) 536-0373 to schedule your free consultation and start your journey toward long-lasting pain relief.