It's human nature to try anything to get some relief from excruciating pain. This includes procedures like nerve blocks and injections. However, before undergoing a new procedure, you should be aware of the risks as well as the benefits.

For decades, doctors have relied on spinal injections to treat pain, which is sometimes termed to as interventional pain management (IPM). In these cases, special imaging techniques like fluoroscopy are used to apply cortisone and/or anesthetics to irritated nerves in order to alleviate pain and discomfort. This method evolved as the new treatment for bulging discs in lower back.

For both patients and doctors alike, the idea of doing something on the spot to significantly alter one's perception of pain is an enticing prospect. On the other hand, the idea that a special methodology will magically solve all of your pain management problems is most likely too good to be true. It's possible that in some cases, interventional pain procedures may be beneficial. To help you decide if this is a good fit for you, here are some pointers.

• It's more difficult to find a treatment that can address all of your pain if it's widespread. Because epidural steroids are used to treat herniated or bulging discs, the best results can be achieved if the pain radiates down a leg or an arm, rather than all over the body.

• As a rule, pain procedures can provide short-term pain relief if done correctly. Know what to expect For example, an epidural steroid injection for sciatica can reliably relieve pain for a few months, but the probability of having long-term results are less clear. Many studies find that most nerve blocks and injections do not provide long-term relief, while others suggest that they may provide a moderately long-term benefit.

• If you are taking blood thinners, these procedures carry a risk of serious bleeding complications. To keep risks to a minimum, we always have our patients work with their doctor to figure out the best time to stop taking blood thinners. Because cortisone injections can temporarily raise blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, it's important to keep a close eye on them after the procedure and have a backup plan in place if things get out of hand.

• You don't want to end up as a test subject for the newest and greatest treatment for bulging disc in lower back on the market. Many of these, in my opinion, are riskier and more expensive in the long run than they are worth. A weekend course on a cadaver may have taught the doctor administering a brand-new treatment. To be one of their first live cases, you'll have to answer yes.

• Despite the prime focus of interventional pain procedures, the model of why we hurt may be far more complicated than simply trying to treat the source of the original injury. There are a wide range of neuromuscular changes that can occur as a result of long-term pain, and the better outcomes come from treating the whole person.

• For a loved one in your situation, would this procedure be something you would recommend? Treatments such as nerve blocks and injections should never be recommended by a pain specialist unless the doctor is confident in them for their family or even themselves if they were experiencing the same problem. Asking is never a bad idea.

However, you should only go through with an interventional procedure if the risks, benefits, and doctor and staff involved make you feel confident about your decision to do so. Oklahoma Pain Treatment is one of such places where you can feel absolutely safe and protected. We are just a call away.

**Disclaimer: These tips are not advised or suggested by doctors. The products that are promoted here are not FDA CERTIFIED to treat, cure or prevent any disease.