02 Jun The Many Benefits of Epidural Steroid Injections
Epidural steroid injections are one of the most popular forms of intervention medicine available at a San Diego pain management center.
An epidural injection allows patients to receive medication, usually, a steroid mixed with an anesthetic delivered directly into a painful or injured area. This can reduce pain, inflammation, and discomfort resulting from a variety of different issues.
Epidural injections are very useful and they have a number of benefits when compared to other treatments. This article will outline some of the reasons that people prefer to use epidural injections at a San Diego pain management center.
Benefits of Epidural Steroid Injections
These are some of the most prominent reasons that doctors recommend epidural steroid injections.
Temporary & Prolonged Pain Relief
Epidural injections can provide both temporary and prolonged pain relief. The results can vary from person to person. However, the majority of patients who find relief report that it lasts anywhere from several weeks to several months.
Quick Relief
One of the main reasons that people choose to use epidural injections is because they can provide quick and immediate relief. While your San Diego pain management center will usually recommend that you continue to participate in other treatments like physiotherapy, an epidural injection can be effective immediately and can be helpful for those who are unable to engage in daily activity due to pain.
Reduced Inflammation
Epidural injections contain a type of medication that can reduce inflammation in the affected areas. Inflammation can exacerbate a patient’s pain and further restrict their range of motion.
Improved Mobility & Function
People who have suffered injuries, especially spinal injuries, often struggle to maintain their previous level of mobility. This can make it challenging to perform their day-to-day activities and could potentially compromise their school or work life.
While an epidural injection won’t actually heal the injury, it may provide patients with enough pain relief to regain some mobility and function. Doctors caution against over-exerting yourself — you are still injured.
However, the improved mobility provided by an epidural injection may allow you the ability to maintain some of your daily routines. This can also allow you to partake in other conventional treatments such as physiotherapy.
Helping Identify the Source of Pain
Epidural injections can also be used as a diagnostic procedure to help identify the origin of a patient’s pain. If you struggle with a painful condition that may be the result of different causes, an epidural injection can help your San Diego pain management center discover the origin by ruling out other possibilities.
Reduced Risk of Invasive Procedures
Another one of the main reasons that epidural injections are requested is because they are minimally invasive. They can provide relief in a much simpler and less traumatizing manner than an invasive treatment like surgery.
Are Epidural Injections Safe?
Epidural injections have been used for years and are considered one of the safest options for pain management. Risks are few and complications are very uncommon. Generally, the extent of side effects includes little more than some soreness or discomfort at the site of the injury.
Conclusion
Epidural injections are a safe and effective method for providing immediate relief from painful conditions. Talk with a doctor at a San Diego pain management center to learn more.
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