Epidural Steroid Injections

When is an injection appropriate to treat neck pain or low back pain? Over 9 million nerve root injections or epidural steroid injections are performed on a yearly basis. However, the answer to that question depends heavily on specific patient symptoms and diagnosis.

The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) recommends starting with conservative care, such as chiropractic, physical therapy, or exercise for neck pain or low back pain. Chiropractic or physical therapy treatments before expensive imaging procedures or more invasive treatments can save time and money on recovery. Elite Sport & Spine chiropractors are highly trained in determining the source of pain and diagnosing the injury or condition. In most cases, our chiropractors are able to successfully treat the cause of symptoms, even a disc bulge or herniation, without imaging. However, if an x-ray or MRI is necessary, our doctors refer patients to an imaging facility such as Center for Diagnostic Imaging or SmartChoice MRI.

In some severe cases, symptoms and exam findings may warrant a more invasive approach in addition to chiropractic or physical therapy. In these situations, our chiropractors refer patients to an orthopedic surgeon or a neurologist for a consultation. While there are several treatments options available from these medical specialists, one of the most common treatments is an epidural steroid injection (ESI). ESIs involve an imaging-guided injection of a steroid medication at the spinal level of the disc herniation. This procedure often provides relief from the symptoms associated with a neck or low back disc injury.

Epidural Steroid Injections and Chiropractic Care

An issue that can arise after the injection is patients start to feel better and stop seeking chiropractic treatment. In addition, they stop performing their prescribed exercises at home. When this happens, we tend to see patients come back a few weeks later. They say the pain has returned and therefore question whether treatment worked. Our chiropractors find and research supports that chiropractic treatment after the injection offers the best long-term outcome for patients. A clinical study published in 2004 looked at patients with a confirmed disc herniation in the neck or low back. As a result of that diagnosis, patients received an epidural steroid injection and chiropractic treatment. In this study, chiropractic care consisted of a single treatment session following the injection. There were no multiple follow-up chiropractic visits and no subsequent rounds of injections.

In the group of patients with low back disc issues, 36% noted significant improvement and 42% experienced temporary improvement. That means 78% experienced improvement after just one treatment! In the group of patients with neck disc complaints, 50% noted significant improvement and 30% experienced temporary improvement with just one treatment! Again 80% experienced improvement with just one treatment!

Chiropractic in Brookfield, WI

Health care researchers estimate that nearly 70% of individuals will experience neck pain at some point. Additionally, the estimated statistics for back pain are even worse at over 80%! This makes neck pain or back pain incredibly common. Just because it is common, however, does not mean it should be considered normal.

The chiropractors at Elite Sport & Spine offer multiple different treatment techniques for neck pain and low back pain. While this is not a comprehensive list, here are a few of the treatments used.

• Chiropractic manipulation/adjustment
• Low force joint mobilization
• McKenzie Method (Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment or MDT)
• Graston Technique and RockBlades
• Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS)
• Myofascial Release
• Rehabilitation Exercises

If you are suffering with a neck or back injury, it is our pleasure to guide you back to the activities that you enjoy most. If you are looking for a second opinion on whether you might be a candidate for an injection, we are happy to discuss conservative care options with you. We want to see you pain free, moving better, and living life to the fullest.