Entries Tagged 'Herniated Disc' ↓

Trigger points were first introduced to the medical community over 50 years ago and continue to be a controversial explanation for back pain.

Likewise, the use of trigger point injections as an effective treatment for back pain has not been conclusively established.

In a 2008 study published in Pain Medicine, the safety and efficacy of trigger point injections to treat chronic pain syndromes was investigated. The conclusions from this study indicated:

1. Trigger point injections are safe when applied by adequately trained health care providers.
2. The net benefit of trigger point injections in the treatment of back pain is questionable.

According to lead author, N Ann Scott, PhD

“The efficacy of trigger point injections is no more certain than it was a decade ago, as there is no clear evidence of either benefit or ineffectiveness.”

The results of this study are consistent with my observations of patients who have undergone trigger point injections to treat back pain. When asked whether the injection therapy was working, the answer I usually get is, “I think so.”

Sometimes people want so desperately for their pain to go away that they will “convince” themselves that their current therapy is working when, in fact, it is doing little to nothing to affect their condition.

The flip side is that the “psychological” benefit will sometimes do as much, if not more, than the physical effects of the therapy - the old “mind over body” thing.

My advice: If trigger point injections are actually helping you, great, keep doing them. If, on the other hand, you have to convince yourself of the effectiveness or you’re getting no benefit at all, don’t waste your time or money.

Remember, only one type of treatment for back pain has been consistently shown to be effective and that is active rehabilitation. The Erase Your Back Pain program utilizes the active rehabilitation model in establishing a targeted exercise program for your particular condition.

Additional back pain treatment information:
Prolotherapy
Epidural injections
Facet joint injections

Dedicated to Erasing Your Back Pain,

Malton A. Schexneider, PT, MMSc
The Back Pain Expert

The presence of a herniated disc is sometimes treated with epidural steroid injections (ESI). Epidural steroid injection is a nonsurgical approach to back pain used for both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. Disc herniation and spinal stenosis can cause nerve irritation that usually results in back and leg pain.

The procedure involves the injection of an anesthetic (such as Marcane) and a steroid (usually DepoMedrol) into the spine for the purpose of shrinking swollen nerve tissue and reducing pain. Continue reading →