Living with persistent pain can make everyday tasks difficult, and many individuals struggle to find relief through treatment methods like rest or oral medication. A pain center is a medical facility that diagnoses and treats chronic pain conditions. Unlike general practitioners who treat a broader variety of ailments, pain specialists focus specifically on the mechanisms of pain. They employ a multidisciplinary approach, often combining physical therapy, medication management, and interventional procedures, like pain injections, to regain functionality. Here’s information on pain management plans that use pain injections and how they benefit many individuals managing pain:
What Are Pain Injections?
Pain injections are a form of interventional pain management that delivers medication directly to the source of discomfort. These treatments are often recommended when conservative therapies, such as over-the-counter medications and physical therapy, have not provided enough relief. Pain injections serve as a diagnostic tool and a therapeutic treatment, allowing physicians to pinpoint the exact location of the pain generator while simultaneously providing relief. Some common types of injection therapies include nerve blocks, corticosteroid injections, and hyaluronic acid injections.
Trying Injections
The goal is not to completely eliminate symptoms but rather to effectively manage pain to improve overall quality of life. Injection therapy works by delivering a combination of medications into a specific area of the body, such as:
- A Joint
- A Muscle
- The Space Around a Nerve
Most pain injections contain a local anesthetic for immediate pain relief and a corticosteroid to reduce inflammation over time. The anesthetic numbs the area, interrupting the pain signals sent to the brain. Meanwhile, the steroid works to decrease swelling and inflammation at the nerve root or joint, which can provide longer-lasting relief. This targeted approach allows for a higher concentration of medication in the affected area compared to oral medications, which must travel through the entire bloodstream.
Diagnosing Pain Conditions
Before recommending injection therapy, a pain specialist will conduct a thorough evaluation to identify the underlying cause of the symptoms. This process typically begins with a comprehensive review of the patient’s medical history and a physical examination to assess range of motion, reflexes, and symptoms. Advanced imaging studies, like X-rays or MRI scans, are often utilized to visualize the internal structures of the body. These images help physicians detect abnormalities like herniated discs, bone spurs, or joint degeneration that may be contributing to the pain.
Who May Need Them?
Injection therapy is typically recommended for individuals whose daily lives are impacted by chronic pain, even after trying conservative treatments. Pain injections are particularly beneficial for those seeking to delay or avoid surgery. By reducing inflammation and managing pain levels, these injections can also make it easier for people to participate in physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises. Some conditions that pain injections help manage include:
- Spinal Stenosis
- Sciatica
- General Joint Pain Conditions
- Fibromyalgia
- Facet Joint Syndrome
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Arthritis
What Is a Session Like?
An injection therapy session is an outpatient procedure that is generally quick and straightforward. Patients are usually positioned on a table, and the skin over the injection site is cleaned and sterilized. A local anesthetic is applied to numb the skin, reducing discomfort during the procedure. The physician then uses fluoroscopy, a type of real-time X-ray imaging, to guide the needle precisely to the target area. Once the needle is in place, the medication mixture is injected. The entire process often takes less than 30 minutes, and patients are monitored briefly before being discharged home.
Contact a Pain Center Today
Navigating chronic pain can be challenging, but specialized care is available to support your needs. If you have persistent pain, it may be time to consult a specialist. A pain specialist can provide a comprehensive evaluation and discuss whether interventional treatments are appropriate for your condition. Contact a pain center today to explore your options for effective pain management.
