By 911 Pain Management | March 15th, 2022 | Pain Management
Dealing with acute back pain, shoulder pain, or knee pain can leave you living a suboptimal life. Instead, enhance your life and see Dr. Liu for 5-star pain management treatment now!
Your McAllen pain management doctor at 911 Pain Management can accurately diagnose your concerns and ailment while working directly with you in order to develop a treatment plan that will greatly lessen your pain and suffering.
The Basics of Pain Management Injections
Pain management injections are a form of nonsurgical treatment used to aid in the relief of acute pain. These injections are an alternative to surgery but can be used in combination with therapy or other medications.
Injections are delivered directly to the area of the body that is plagued by pain, which may include the neck or back. These steroid or pain-relieving medications often aid in reducing inflammation and numbing pain receptors.
Another benefit of pain injections is that they can help determine the bodily structure that is the potential source of discomfort.
Depending on the type of pain management injection used, patients may begin feeling relief within a few hours, or in other instances, it may take a few days for the medication to fully take effect. Typically, there will be restrictions on physical activity until mobility has been restored.
The Variety of Pain Management Injections
There is a wide range of safe and effective pain management injections available at our pain management clinic in McAllen that can aid those dealing with orthopedic or neurological conditions, including:
1. Epidural Steroid Injection
Epidural steroid injections (ESIs) are a frequently used option for those dealing with lower back pain, but may potentially help with upper back as well. These injections have been used for decades and are named as such because they involve injecting a local anesthetic and steroid into the epidural space surrounding the spinal cord and nerve root.
In essence, this pain management injection:
- Reduces inflammation around the nerve roots to minimize pain
- Improves mobility and function of lower back
- Supports a comprehensive treatment plan that may include forms of therapy and rehabilitation
When you receive an ESI, you may notice a number of benefits, including:
- The reduction of pain and inflammation
- A minimized need for other forms of medication that can have long-term effects
- The ability to re-engage in physical activities
2. Nerve Blocks
Nerve blocks, or neural blockades, are a numbing substance used to control acute pain for a duration of time. These agents can also be used to determine the source of pain and help to predict whether additional (permanent) treatments are needed.
There are a number of nerve blocks that can be used for different areas of the body, including the face, upper jaw, neck and back, shoulder and upper neck, and abdomen and pelvis, among other body parts.
Nerve blocks can be used to manage acute pain and pain after surgery. These pain management injections typically provide immediate relief.
While these are generally a short-term fix, nerve blocks can help with:
- Improving daily lives
- Allow for work and exercise
- Allow for the ability to partake in daily activities
3. Joint Injections
Joint injections are typically a combination of local anesthetic and corticosteroid, and as the name suggests, they can be placed among the joints including the spine, the hip joint, knee, ankle, foot, sacroiliac joint, shoulder, elbow, hand, and other areas. The injection process takes approximately 20 minutes, which is then followed by a brief period of recovery.
While there may be soreness and some slight discomfort in the hours or days that follow this type of pain management injection, the benefits can last for months, allowing you to participate in physical activities, exercise, and therapy.
Candidates for joint injections can enjoy a wide range of benefits, including, but not limited to:
- Rapid pain relief
- Alleviation of swelling and stiffness
- Increased mobility and improved bodily functions
- Less likelihood of side effects
4. Trigger Point Injections
Another pain management treatment that our McAllen pain doctor can provide is trigger point injections (TPIs). This form of treatment targets muscles that contain trigger points, or knots of muscle. When these knots begin to form, they can begin to irritate surrounding nerves, leading to pain felt in other parts of the body.
In a trigger point injection, a small needle containing a local anesthetic that may contain a corticosteroid is inserted into the patient’s trigger point, releasing the tension of the knot and alleviating the pain. The process usually takes only a few minutes and can be completed with a short visit to your pain management doctor.
Trigger point injections can benefit those dealing with:
- Myofascial pain syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Migraine or tension headaches
Your #1 Pain Management Clinic in McAllen Is Here for You!
At 911 Pain Management, our pain relief doctors are committed to successfully treating and easing the needs of our patients. Our goal is to help improve your quality of life and help you return to the activities that you love.
We offer a number of pain management injections to help relieve you of the pain that affects you day to day. To learn more about our interventional pain management services and injections, contact our office today!
