What is Lumbar Epidural Injection and Can it Help My Back Pain?

In the United States nearly 800,000 epidural injections are performed each year for back and neck pain, with more than 80% of them performed on patients between 20-64 years old. The most common reason why people get a lumbar epidural injection is for the treatment of lower back pain and sciatica relief.

How Do Lumbar Epidural Injections Work?

Lumbar epidural injections are a common non-surgical procedure for back pain and sciatica relief. Epidural injections can be used to help relieve someone’s pain by alleviating the pressure that is being put on the nerve roots in the lower spinal cord due to inflammation or compression. Some doctors may inject other medications into the lumbar region during or in addition to an epidural steroid injection such as local anesthetic or anti-inflammatory drugs that can help treat nerve damage as well.

By injecting numbing medicine into the space around your spinal cord and nerve roots, it can provide temporary relief from pain and numbness. This numbness can be helpful for patients with back and neck pain, especially when their symptoms are not responding to conservative treatments such as physical therapy or medications. They can also work to decrease inflammation or infiltration of a herniated disc into the spinal column, which can cause sciatica symptoms.

What is the Procedure Like?

During the procedure a needle is guided through the skin and an anesthetizing solution is injected into the epidural space. The procedure is usually done in an outpatient clinic or doctor’s office and takes about 15 minutes under local anesthesia with sedation as necessary and is typically non invasive.

Is It An Effective Treatment?

A lumbar epidural injection is an effective treatment for back and neck pain. It can be used to help relieve pressure on the nerve roots in your lower spine, which may reduce numbness or tingling down one or both legs. This procedure is performed by a physician as a last resort when other treatments have not been successful in relieving chronic pain.

If you’re suffering from chronic back and neck pain and looking for relief without surgery, contact our office today to learn more about what a lumbar epidural injection can do for you!