EPIDURAL INJECTIONS, INJECTION THERAPY Specialist in Phoenix and Peoria, AZ
What Is an Epidural Steroid Injection?
Living with constant back or leg pain can make even the simplest tasks—like driving to work in Phoenix or walking through Old Town Scottsdale—feel impossible. For many people, this pain is caused by irritated spinal nerves. An epidural steroid injection is a procedure that delivers anti-inflammatory medication directly to the space around your spinal cord, called the epidural space. By calming inflammation right at the source, this treatment can provide meaningful relief that oral medications often can’t match.
At Mountain View Headache & Spine Institute, we’ve seen patients across Phoenix, Mesa, Peoria, and Scottsdale, Arizona regain mobility, sleep better, and finally participate fully in therapy and exercise programs thanks to epidural injections.
Why Would I Need an Epidural Steroid Injection?
Not all back pain is the same. Sometimes, pain comes from strained muscles or stiff joints. Other times, the culprit is pressure on spinal nerves—often caused by conditions like:
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
- Sciatica (nerve pain running down the leg)
- Degenerative disc disease
When nerve pain becomes severe, it can radiate down your arms or legs, making it difficult to sit, stand, or even rest comfortably. If you’ve already tried medications, physical therapy, or chiropractic care without long-lasting relief, an epidural injection may be the next step in your care journey.
How Does the Procedure Work?
An epidural steroid injection is a quick, outpatient procedure—most patients are in and out of our Arizona clinics within an hour. Here’s what to expect:
- Getting Comfortable – You’ll lie face down or on your side on a cushioned table.
- Numbing the Area – We use a small amount of local anesthetic so you don’t feel the placement.
- Guided Needle Placement – Using fluoroscopy (a live X-ray), we guide a thin needle precisely into the epidural space.
- Medication Delivery – A combination of steroid and numbing medicine is gently injected around the inflamed nerves.
- Recovery – You’ll rest briefly in the office, then return home the same day. Most patients resume light activities right away.
The actual injection takes only minutes, but the benefits can last weeks or even months.
Are There Side Effects?
Epidural injections are considered very safe, especially when performed by experienced physicians like those at Mountain View. Possible side effects include:
- Temporary soreness at the injection site
- Mild headache or dizziness
- Rare complications such as infection or bleeding
We’ll go over your medical history carefully to ensure this treatment is right for you.
How Do I Know If I Need an Epidural Injection?
The truth is, you don’t have to figure this out on your own. If your pain radiates down your arms or legs, or if you’ve had short-term relief from other injections, that’s often a strong sign you could benefit. Even if you’ve been treated elsewhere, our team in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, or Peoria can review your history and help you decide.
Think of this as part of your journey—not the only step. For some patients, an epidural injection is the relief that unlocks the ability to exercise, complete therapy, and truly heal.
How Well Do Epidural Steroid Injections Work?
Results vary, but many of our Arizona patients experience significant relief lasting from several weeks to several months. Some notice immediate improvement, while others feel the benefits gradually over a few days. If the pain returns, injections can be safely repeated a few times per year.
For many, this treatment reduces or eliminates the need for oral medications and helps avoid surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does it hurt?
Most patients feel only a quick pinch. The numbing medication makes the procedure more comfortable. - How long does it last?
Relief can last anywhere from weeks to months. Some patients enjoy long-term improvement. - Will insurance cover it?
In most cases, yes—especially when conservative treatments have already been tried.
Take the Next Step Toward Relief
You don’t have to live with chronic back or leg pain. At Mountain View Headache & Spine Institute, we provide advanced pain management services—including epidural steroid injections—at convenient locations in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, and Peoria, Arizona.