Back and neck pain are usually treated conservatively with bed rest, physical therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and rehab exercises. In acute cases, a majority of patients will improve on this regimen.

 

When conservative therapy alone does not provide the desired pain relief, epidural steroid injections are added as an effective next step in treatment.

 

Epidural steroid injections work by several mechanisms. They break the cycle of pain, followed by muscle spasm, followed by more pain which occurs in this disease. Pain relief afforded by epidural steroids may allow a larger and more pain free range of motion. This increases the effectiveness of physical therapy in preserving muscle strength and range of motion.

 

Epidural steroids are effective in the treatment of discogenic pain (bulging or herniated discs) in the back and in the neck.