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When you hear the word “epidural,” your mind probably goes directly to the shot that many women receive during labor, right?
That makes sense, since epidurals are effective in reducing the amount of pain that women experience during childbirth. Statistically speaking, over 50 percent of women, and up to 64 percent of women in certain age groups, choose to have an epidural injection when they give birth.
However, epidural injections can be used for much more than simply limiting pain during labor!
They can actually be one of the most effective ways of helping men and women return to a normal and a reduced-pain or pain-free lifestyle.
Below, you’ll find some information about the different ways that epidurals can help you get back to feeling better than you have in years.
What Is an Epidural?
An epidural is a nerve block. The epidural solution is an anesthetic that is injected into the epidural region around your spine.
This solution blocks signals of pain between your nerves and your brain. So, essentially, your brain never registers the pain, which means that you will feel better than you have in a very long time.
To help reduce pain, epidural steroid injections (ESI) involve injecting steroids or corticosteroids into the epidural space.
What Can Epidural Steroid Injections Help Treat?
Chronic Pain
Many men and women of varying ages experience chronic pain in their bodies. Whether your chronic pain is related to a long-term health condition like joint disease, cancer, or endometriosis, or you suffer from a less serious (but equally painful) issue, such as a pinched nerve or herniated disk, chronic pain can completely consume your life, keeping you from enjoying some of your favorite activities.
However, having an epidural steroid injection can keep the brain from registering chronic pain so you can finally live your life to the fullest again with a lesser degree of pain and discomfort!
Lower Back Pain and Neck Pain
Lower back pain and neck pain are two of the most common types of pain that men and women of all ages experience, and they can be completely debilitating.
Simply moving your head or body, let alone getting up and being active, can cause tremendous amounts of pain. Many people who suffer from lower back or neck pain are relegated to sitting or lying down, and even doing that can be painful.
But epidural steroid injections can help alleviate these types of pain. Similar to the way epidurals keep women from experiencing pain during labor, epidural injections can keep your brain from registering pain in your back and neck.
After your epidural, you can look forward to moving around with more ease.
Sports Injury
Injuries from sports and athletics are common. Whether you are suffering from a recent injury that happened on the field or court, or you have chronic pain from an injury that occured years ago, an epidural nerve block can help you feel more normal again.
This means that you can get back to playing your favorite sport quicker, whether it be competitive or recreational.
Interested in Learning More About Epidurals in Florida?
If pain is negatively impacting your life, and you are interested in epidural injections or any of the other treatments we offer, please get in touch with us today by filling out our online form to schedule a consultation with our specialists at Advanced Relief Institute. Call us at (954) 458-1199.