Certain inflammatory diseases, most notably rheumatoid arthritis, result from overactivity of the immune system. Steroids suppress immune system activity, slowing the rate at which these diseases affect you.
Chronic back pain occurs for different reasons, with most of these contributing to nerve irritation. When your back pain arises due to inflammatory pressure on a nerve, reducing the amount of inflammation can similarly reduce or stop the pain. Depending on the formulation you receive, there could also be a local anesthetic that provides a numbing effect for a few hours after injection. For some, it can provide substantial relief, while others may see little benefit.
However, if chronic, pain will persist despite treatment and need further evaluation. Supporting the weight of your body, the lumbar spine can be prone to injury and pain Fig. Back pain ranges from mild to severe depending on the amount of injury, and can be acute or chronic. Acute low back pain occurs suddenly and usually heals within several days to weeks. The source of pain is usually in the muscles and ligaments, joints, or discs.
Sometimes mechanical back pain is caused, not by a pinched nerve, but by tight muscles, degenerative discs, and inflamed facet joints. Chronic back pain persists for more than 3 months; it may be felt all the time or worsen with certain activities.
Although its source may be hard to determine, contributing factors may include nerve damage, tissue scarring, arthritis, or emotional effects of pain.
People with chronic symptoms may be referred to a pain specialist see Pain Management. Signs and symptoms of low back pain may be stiffness, tightness, aching, burning or stabbing or shooting pains, pressure, or tingling. The pain may spread to the buttocks, thighs, or knees. People may also experience muscle spasms. The symptoms are more noticeable when bending or arching the back, when lifting heavy objects, or when sitting or standing for long periods of time.
Seek medical help immediately if extreme leg weakness or loss of bladder or bowel function develops, a condition called cauda equina syndrome. Excess weight, lack of exercise, poor posture e. Although the specific cause may not be found, some conditions that cause back pain are:. Some people may also be allergic or have a sensitivity to the ingredients.
Topical pain medications are often absorbed through the skin into the blood stream, which may result in possible drug interactions. Side Effects and Risks of Muscle Relaxers. Medications for Neuropathic Pain.
You are here Treatment Pain Medication. By Kathee de Falla, PharmD. Peer Reviewed. At this point, most people either visit their primary care physician or the emergency room. The treatment for this more severe pain is a pain medication and muscle relaxer for immediate relief and a dose of oral steroids to reduce the swelling. But with oral steroids, you need to take a very high dose of medicine to get a small dose to the site of the swelling.
An injectable steroid delivers a highly concentrated dose of anti-inflammatory right where you need it. The healing process takes about six to eight weeks, and usually includes physical therapy to increase your core strength.
Strengthening your core abdominal, back and oblique muscles , improves your posture and helps your spine realign. The strengthened muscles then act like an internal body brace to prevent future pain. Subscribe to Cape Cod Health News.
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