Joint injections to the spine can be used to both diagnose and treat back pain. Depending on where the pain originates, a spinal injection can be performed in the upper, middle, lower part of the back. These non-surgical procedures can be a safe and effective way to treat a wide range of conditions.

Who is a Good Candidate?

Your physician may consider spinal injections for your neck or back pain when less invasive options have not helped to relieve your pain. Some of the most common conditions where spinal injections can help alleviate symptoms include:

• Spinal stenosis
• Fibromyalgia
• Degenerative disc disease
• Spondylosis
• Herniated disc

Types of Spinal Joint Injections

Spinal injections are administered using x-ray technology to ensure that the medication reaches the optimal location. There are several types of injections:

Epidural Steroid Injection
An epidural steroid injection is a standard treatment method used to reduce inflammation in the nerves surrounding the spine. This injection is most often recommended for pain that starts in the spine and radiates down the patient’s arms or legs.

Facet Joint Injection
A facet joint injection involves an anesthetic medication to numb the surface of the facet joints, which connect the spine’s vertebrae. This type of spinal injection can be most effective for neck and back pain caused by a degenerative condition like arthritis.

Nerve Block Injection
A nerve block helps treat neck pain, back pain, and other disorders that cause chronic pain. The procedure involves numbing specific nerves in your back by injecting a local anesthetic medication directly into the spinal column.

Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation utilizes heat generated by electrical currents to target and destroy nerves carrying pain signals to the brain. This minimally invasive procedure can provide immediate pain relief and improve function.

Sacroiliac Joint Injection
Located between the sacrum and ilium bones in the pelvis, the sacroiliac joint can cause significant lower back, buttocks, and leg pain. With a sacroiliac joint injection, the physician injects a steroid medication to provide pain relief, and it is often used in conjunction with other treatments.

Regenerative Therapy Injection
Regenerative therapy injections involve injecting stem cells to stimulate damaged tissues and promote the natural healing process. This minimally invasive procedure helps prevent further degeneration of the body’s structures and diminishes pain due to inflammation.