What kind of pain conditions do you treat?

We treat a wide range of acute and chronic pain conditions, including back pain, neck pain, joint pain, sciatica, arthritis, nerve pain and accident injuries or surgeries. Our goal is to help you get back to an active and pain-free lifestyle.

Do I need a referral to schedule an appointment?

In most cases, you do not need a referral to see us. We accept self-referrals and work with most insurance providers. If you are unsure, just give us a call and we will help you understand what is needed.

What is interventional pain management?

Interventional pain management uses targeted, invasive procedures such as injections, nerve blockages, and spine stimulation to treat the source of your pain, not just cover it up with medication.

Who is Dr. Blake Christensen?

Dr. Blake Christensen is an expert in pain management, certified by the board and founder of Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers. With extensive training and a personalized approach, he is known for helping patients find real, lasting relief.

Are your treatments surgical?

No. We specialize in non-surgical pain treatments. Most of our procedures are performed in-office and do not require hospital stays or long recovery times.

What are epidural steroid injections, and are they safe?

Epidural steroid injections help reduce inflammation around spinal nerves. They are safe, commonly used, and often bring relief from conditions like herniated discs or spinal stenosis.

How long will it take to see results?

It depends on the condition and treatment plan, but many patients experience relief within days or weeks. We will guide you through each step and adjust your care as needed.

Is pain management just about medication?

Not at all. While medication can be part of a plan, we focus on treating the root cause through injections, physical therapies, nerve treatments, and lifestyle guidance.

What should I bring to my first appointment?

Please bring your ID, insurance card, a list of medications you are currently taking, and any recent imaging reports if available (X-rays, MRIs, etc.).

Where are you located, and what are your hours?

We have locations in Oklahoma City, Norman. Our clinics are open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Do you accept insurance?

Yes, we accept most major insurance plans. Our staff will help verify your coverage and explain any costs before your treatment.

What makes Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers different?

We treat each patient like family. With expert care led by Dr. Blake Christensen and a dedicated staff, we combine experience, compassion, and innovative treatments by the best team for the best health and quality of life.

Can Disc Bulges Heal? How Steroid Injections Help Disc Pain

May 23

Written By Blake Christensen

You are not alone if you are struggling with herniated discs or bulging discs causing back or neck pain. Disc-related spinal pain is a daily symptom that our pain management doctor for Remington sees.

One of the most effective nonsurgical treatments we offer is the epidural steroid injection (ESI). But how do these injections work? And does a disc bulge ever go away on its own?

What Is a Bulging or Herniated Disc?

Intervertebral discs sit between each vertebra in your spine to act as soft cushions that absorb shock and allow flexibility. Problems arise when these discs lose their structural integrity due to being weakened or torn.

Bulging disc: The outer layer of a disc weakens. The inner material pushes outward.
Herniated disc: A fully herniated disc occurs when the soft inner core of an intervertebral disc protrudes through a tear in the tougher outer layer, compressing nearby nerves.

Both conditions can put pressure on nearby spinal nerves to cause pain, numbness, or weakness. This often leads to conditions such as lumbar radiculopathy (sciatica), cervical radiculopathy, or failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS).

How Epidural Steroid Injections Help With Disc Pain

Epidural steroid injections deliver powerful anti-inflammatory medication directly into the epidural space. This is the area surrounding the spinal cord and nerve roots.

This treatment offers multiple avenues of relief for both acute and chronic nerve pain:

Reduce inflammation: The injected steroid calms the inflammation triggered when a disc bulge irritates spinal nerves. This decreases nerve irritation and pain signals.
Relieve nerve compression symptoms: It reduces swelling around the nerve roots to relieve shooting pain, tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness.
Improve Function: Pain relief often allows patients to move more freely. This helps them return to physical therapy and perform daily activities with less discomfort.
Delay or avoid surgery: ESIs offer enough relief for many patients to avoid or postpone the need for spinal surgery.

These injections create a window of relief that allows your body to recover. Reducing the swelling around the nerve provides the comfort needed to engage in active rehabilitation.

Types of Epidural Steroid Injections

There are several approaches to delivering steroid medication via epidural injection. Which one works best for you will depend on the location and severity of your pain.

Transforaminal ESI: This targets the specific area where the nerve exits the spine. It is often used in radiculopathy.
Interlaminar ESI: This is administered between vertebrae to bathe a broader area of the spine.
Caudal ESI: This is injected at the base of the spine. It is useful for multiple pain levels or patients with prior surgery.

Precision is key to effective pain relief. We select the specific injection method that best targets your unique anatomy and injury pattern.

Do Disc Bulges or Herniations Ever Go Away?

Many patients ask if their discs will ever go back to normal. The answer depends on the severity of the injury and your body's natural healing response.

Disc herniations can shrink over time: Studies show that the body gradually reabsorbs part of the herniated material in many cases. This is most common in the first 6 to 12 months.
Bulging discs may stabilize: The disc may not fully go back into place. However, inflammation and nerve pressure can be reduced to provide symptom relief.

You can support this healing process by staying active with guided physical therapy and maintaining a healthy weight. Procedures like epidural injections ease back pain long enough to make these lifestyle changes possible.

What to Expect From the Procedure

Epidural injections are performed under image guidance (fluoroscopy or ultrasound) to ensure accuracy. The procedure typically takes less than 30 minutes and involves minimal downtime.

Timeline: Many patients report improvement within a few days.
Duration: Relief can last weeks to months.
Frequency: Some patients may need a series of injections spaced over time.

Safety and precision are our top priorities. In some cases, this therapy helps reduce pain long enough for the disc to begin healing naturally without surgical intervention.

Let us Help You Heal

We specialize in non-surgical pain relief for herniated discs, chronic back and neck pain, and radiculopathy. Based in Oklahoma City, Norman, Yukon, or Weatherford, you can contact us for an appointment to see if an ESI is right for you.

Blake Christensen