08 Sep How To Get The Best Results From Epidural Injections
Epidural injections are one of the ways pain management specialists help mitigate the pain of their patients’ experience. While side effects are rare, there are risks that come with any medical procedure, including epidural injections. As a result, it is important to take the appropriate steps in order to ensure positive results from epidural injections. When done correctly, epidural injections are a great way to address pain caused by a variety of different ailments.
First and foremost, epidural injections show the best results when they are done in a reputable clinic by an experienced physician. For this reason, it is important to seek out a pain management specialist in your area. Pain management specialists go through extensive additional training that allows them to be at the forefront of their field. In addition to offering epidural injections, these physicians have likely performed more epidural injections for pain than most other types of physicians. Once you have located a pain management clinic, be sure to ask if the physicians offer epidural injections prior to scheduling a consultation.
The consultation visit is an extremely important part of choosing the correct physician. You should look for someone who takes the time to understand your symptoms, provide you with or confirm a specific diagnosis, and discusses the risks and benefits to epidural injections. Not all people are candidates for epidural injections for a variety of reasons. And, some people may not benefit as must as others from the injections. Thus, having a physician who takes the time to understand you and your ailment is key to ensuring positive results.
Last but not least, it is imperative that patients follow the instructions of their treating physician. Each patient is different. Therefore, post-procedure instructions may vary from person to person. Some people may be instructed that they can resume most normal activities within a day, while other patients may be advised to take it easy for the week following the injection. Abiding by your physician’s customized instructions is important to ensure you do not hurt yourself even more. In addition, if you notice anything unexpected, such as unusual pain or trouble walking, talking, and performing day to day activities, it is important to notify your physician immediately. Sometimes people have adverse reactions to epidural injections and these reactions should be noted as soon as they occur.
Epidural injections are a great tool for many pain management specialists. They have shown great effectiveness in helping patients who suffer from disk herniation, sciatica pain, nerve root compression, and generalized inflammation of the spine. However, it is important to note that not all patients who suffer from these ailments are candidates for epidural injections. Visiting a pain management physician who has a strong track record with epidural injections to reduce pain is a key step in getting the best results from the procedure. Once you find a physician you trust, if you follow their directions and report any unusual side effects, you are likely to have a positive experience with the procedure.