Injection Therapies

Injection therapies are a cornerstone of modern pain management, offering targeted, minimally invasive relief for a wide range of conditions that cause chronic or acute discomfort. At Comprehensive Spine and Pain, our four double board-certified pain management physicians perform a full spectrum of advanced injection procedures in our state-of-the-art in-office treatment suites. This allows us to address pain at its source, improve mobility, and enhance quality of life. Call us at (405) 601-4227.

Unlike oral medications, which must travel through the bloodstream and affect the entire body, injection therapies deliver medication directly to the site of pain or inflammation. This precision targeting can result in faster relief, lower doses of medication, and fewer systemic side effects.

When Injection Therapies Are Considered

Injection therapies are typically recommended for patients whose pain persists despite conservative treatments like rest, physical therapy, or over-the-counter medications. They are also valuable diagnostic tools, helping pinpoint the exact pain generator before a longer-term procedure, such as radiofrequency ablation, is considered.

Common conditions that may benefit from injection therapies include:

• Herniated or bulging discs
• Spinal stenosis
• Arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis)
• Sciatica and lumbar radiculopathy
• Facet joint syndrome
• Whiplash injuries
• Chronic neck or back pain
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
• Tendinitis or bursitis in joints like the shoulder, hip, or knee
• Myofascial pain syndrome with persistent muscle trigger points

Types of Injection Therapies We Offer

Epidural Steroid Injections (ESIs)

Epidural steroid injections deliver a combination of corticosteroid medication and a local anesthetic into the epidural space surrounding the spinal cord and nerve roots. By reducing inflammation, ESIs can relieve pain that radiates from the spine into the arms or legs, common in conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or nerve root irritation.

We use advanced imaging guidance (fluoroscopy) to ensure precise placement, and we offer both interlaminar and transforaminal approaches to target the affected nerves with maximum effectiveness.

Facet Joint Injections

Facet joints connect the vertebrae and enable spinal flexibility. Over time, these joints can develop arthritis or become inflamed, leading to localized neck or back pain. Facet joint injections deliver medication directly into the joint to reduce inflammation and confirm whether the joint is the source of pain.

Medial Branch Blocks

Medial branch nerves carry pain signals from the facet joints to the brain. A medial branch block involves injecting an anesthetic near these nerves to stop the pain temporarily. If the block provides significant relief, patients may be candidates for radiofrequency ablation, which offers longer-lasting results.

Trigger Point Injections

Trigger points are tight, painful knots in the muscle that can refer pain to other parts of the body. Trigger point injections involve inserting a small needle directly into the trigger point and injecting a local anesthetic, sometimes combined with a corticosteroid, to relax the muscle and reduce pain.

Intra-Articular Joint Injections

For arthritis or inflammation inside major joints such as the knee, shoulder, or hip, intra-articular injections can be highly effective. These deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly into the joint space, reducing swelling, pain, and stiffness while improving range of motion.

Sympathetic Nerve Blocks

The sympathetic nervous system can play a role in chronic pain conditions like Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Sympathetic nerve blocks, such as stellate ganglion or lumbar sympathetic blocks, target specific nerve clusters to interrupt pain signals and improve blood flow.

Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Injections

The SI joints, located where the spine meets the pelvis, can cause pain when inflamed or injured. SI joint injections deliver medication into the joint to reduce inflammation and confirm diagnosis.

Specialized Injections for Cancer Pain

For patients experiencing cancer-related spinal pain, targeted injections like celiac plexus blocks can provide significant relief by interrupting nerve pathways carrying pain signals from abdominal organs.

Benefits of Injection Therapies

Injection therapies offer several significant advantages for pain management patients. They provide targeted relief by delivering medication exactly where it is needed, maximizing effectiveness while minimizing unnecessary exposure to other areas of the body. Most procedures are quick, often taking less than 30 minutes to complete, and are minimally invasive, resulting in minimal downtime. Patients can typically return to light activities shortly afterward. Because the medication is administered directly to the source of pain, lower doses are required compared to oral treatments, reducing the risk of systemic side effects.

In addition to providing relief, injection therapies also have diagnostic value, helping physicians identify the exact source of pain for more precise treatment planning. Ultimately, by reducing pain and inflammation, these therapies can improve function, allowing patients to participate more fully in rehabilitation, exercise, and daily activities.

What to Expect During an Injection Therapy Appointment

All of our injection therapies are performed in our on-site procedure rooms, designed for patient comfort and equipped with advanced imaging technology. The skin is cleaned and numbed with a local anesthetic before the injection. Most procedures are completed within 20–30 minutes, and patients are typically monitored briefly afterward before returning home the same day.

Patients may experience mild soreness at the injection site for a day or two, and relief may begin within a few days, depending on the type of injection and the underlying condition. Some patients enjoy pain relief for weeks or months, while others may benefit from periodic repeat injections as part of a comprehensive pain management plan.

Are You a Candidate for Injection Therapy?

Not all patients are ideal candidates for injection therapies. The best results occur when the pain source is well-identified through physical examination and diagnostic imaging. Candidates are typically those who have not found lasting relief with non-invasive treatments and who wish to avoid or postpone surgery.

Our physicians at Comprehensive Spine and Pain customize every treatment plan, sometimes combining injection therapy with other modalities such as physical therapy, medication management, or minimally invasive procedures, including radiofrequency ablation or the MILD® procedure.

Interested in Learning More About Injection Therapies? Contact Us Today

Injection therapies are a safe, effective, and versatile option for managing many types of pain—especially when conservative care is not enough. By delivering medication directly to the source of discomfort, these treatments can relieve pain, improve mobility, and help patients return to the activities they love.

If you are living with ongoing pain, our skilled team can determine whether injection therapy is the right choice for you. Call Comprehensive Spine and Pain today at (405) 601-4227 or contact us online to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward lasting relief.